Businesses across Coventry have been urged to attend an important meeting to find out what devolution could mean for their companies.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), Coventry City Council, the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) have joined forces to organise a breakfast event.
The meeting, which is the first of a series of events to engage with businesses about the historic devolution deal, will take place in Lounge One at the Ricoh Arena on Thursday, January 7 between 7.30am-9.45am.
Jonathan Browning, chairman of the CWLEP, Cllr Dennis Harvey, leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Sean Farnell representing the Chamber and FSB, and Martin Yardley, chief executive of the LEP and Executive Director Place , Coventry City Council, will be the guest speakers.
Martin said: “It is vital we engage with businesses in all sectors whether they are SMEs or global players and this breakfast meeting will spell out the facts about devolution.
“From speaking to businesses we know it is important their workforce has the right skills, they have the ability to move goods around without traffic congestion and delays, decent places for employees to live and the ability to access finance to help their companies to grow.
“The powers that influence all these factors will be driven by devolution and the feedback we receive from businesses will help to shape the deal.
“Our panel of speakers will be answering important questions such as what devolution will mean for businesses, will Coventry have a strong voice in the proposed West Midlands Combined Authority, how would an elected mayor impact on companies and will it lead to an increase in business rates?
“This breakfast meeting is the start of our engagement process with businesses about devolution and we want as many business owners and leaders to come along as possible to find out the facts about devolution and what it will actually mean to them and Coventry as a whole.”
Businesses wishing to attend should confirm their attendance by emailing Faye Cockayne at [email protected] before Monday, January 4.