As another busy week comes to a close, I've been struck by how many of the important announcements and developments this week have focused on the long-term future of our borough.
One of the most significant announcements this week was confirmation that the Department for Education has approved Solihull’s Local SEND Reform Plan. This is an important milestone for our partnership across education, health and care services and recognises the hard work that has gone into developing a shared plan to improve outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Approval also means Solihull is eligible for a High Needs Stability Grant worth almost £34 million, helping us address historic Dedicated Schools Grant pressures while we continue to reform local services.
While this recognition is welcome, I know that families are interested in what it will mean in practice. Our focus must remain on implementing this plan and building a more responsive, inclusive and sustainable system that gives children and young people with SEND the support they need to achieve and thrive.
Supporting future generations is also at the heart of our Local Plan. On Tuesday, Full Council endorsed the latest draft, enabling it to move forward to a six-week consultation. A strong Local Plan is essential if we are to manage growth in a way that protects what makes Solihull special, while providing the homes and jobs our communities need. I would encourage residents, businesses and organisations to take part in the consultation before it is submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination. Please look out for details over the coming weeks.
That future is already becoming visible in Solihull town centre. Demolition work is now underway at Mell Square Car Park and the former petrol station site on Warwick Road, marking the first phase of the Holbeche Place redevelopment. You will now start to see the transformation of this area take shape, with plans for new homes, public spaces, shops, cafés and restaurants.
Holbeche Place will help create a vibrant town centre that attracts more people to live, work and spend time here, supporting existing businesses and encouraging further investment. While there will inevitably be some disruption during construction, shops and businesses remain open and we will continue working closely with those affected to minimise the impact.
Future investment and growth were also key themes at Thursday’s West Midlands Growth Summit, where Birmingham Airport unveiled its new £2bn draft masterplan, setting out an ambitious vision for growth and reinforcing the airport's importance to Solihull and the wider regional economy.
One figure I was particularly struck by was that every additional aircraft based at Birmingham Airport is estimated to support around 780 jobs. It is a powerful reminder of the link between connectivity, investment and employment, and why assets such as the airport are so important to our future prosperity.
The summit came as the latest Office for National Statistics figures highlighted the continued strength of Solihull's economy. With economic output worth £12.53 billion and inflation adjusted growth of 6.3% between 2023 and 2024, almost five times the national average, the figures underline our role as one of the UK's leading centres for investment and economic growth.
We also gained national recognition this week for something many of us already know. Research by MoneySuperMarket ranked Solihull as the second best place in England to raise a family. The study highlighted strengths including earnings, childcare affordability, road safety and community. Rankings never tell the full story (we should have been number one), but they do reflect some of the qualities that make Solihull such a great place to live.
Maintaining that quality of life means continuing to invest not only in our places and communities, but also in the health and wellbeing of our residents. That's why I want to highlight Stoptober. If you have been thinking about giving up smoking, this is the time to take that first step. Smokefree Solihull offers free local support, and everyone who signs up this year will be entered into a draw to win a three-month You+ membership with Everyone Active.
Finally, this evening I will be joining residents in Hampton-in-Arden for the 11th Night Walk for Cameron. The annual event raises awareness of mental health while supporting the Cameron Grant Memorial Trust and its important work. It is always a moving and uplifting occasion, bringing people together to remember Cameron, raise funds and support a cause that touches so many lives.
If you are considering taking part, there is still time to sign up. I hope to see many of you there.
Thank you for reading, enjoy your weekend.
Karen