Mayor's Stratford talks look to capitalise on co-operation

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street toured Stratford-upon-Avon's Venture House Business Centre during talks with local councillors on sharing economic opportunities.  

Stratford-on-Avon District Council leader Cllr Tony Jefferson invited the Mayor to discuss how the wider region could exploit openings arising from Stratford's global cultural profile.  

Cllr Jefferson said he hoped yesterday's (Weds 31 Oct) visit would help the town and West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) make the most of working together.  

Discussions covered local and international economic growth potential - specifically Stratford's Local Industrial and Economic Strategy - regional cultural legacy, town centre improvement and better connectivity.  

The Mayor said: "This is a great illustration of how we want to work across the combined authority, using each organisation's particular strengths - in this case Stratford's iconic international status as a cultural capital - and all of us sharing the benefits.  

"I am particularly pleased to see such enthusiastic engagement from our non-constituent members."   Cllr Jefferson said: "It is great that Andy came to Stratford-upon-Avon.   

"We were delighted to be able to show him Venture House, our business incubation centre and taken the opportunity to have robust and productive discussions about issues within the district where we think the WMCA can help.   

"It felt like a very positive, constructive and open meeting. The District Council is working on its Local Industrial and Economic Strategy and we believe that there are some massive opportunities for the district which would have significant implications for and impact on the wider region.    

"By working together with the WMCA we could tackle some of the roadblocks to help further the opportunities for the District."  

As a non-constituent member of the combined authority, Stratford has a place on the WMCA board, helping to inform and drive policy.  

Stratford-on-Avon DC is due to receive an award for cultural and economic partnership work with Chinese city Fuzhou, at the China International Friendship Cities Conference later this month.