Seven Ideas for the East Midlands

Foreword The East Midlands offers unique social, economicand natural diversity - something which thisdevolution opportunity enables the region toembrace and celebrate. It is home to a young anddiverse population and has cultivated a dynamicbase of innovators, entrepreneurs and businesses,alongside strong universities and colleges. Theregion’s network of interconnected cities, towns,villages and stunning countryside are key to itsuniqueness. This combination of superbly builtheritage and driven people are powerful assets.However, not everyone is fulfilling their potentialand not all places are benefiting from this success.Arup was founded over 75 years ago, a time whenthe nation needed rebuilding and reshaping forthe future. Throughout the built environment,we have helped realise the transformative effectsof investment in culture, infrastructure andnew technologies. Now a global business, withinternationally recognised expertise, we remainrooted in our local communities and committed toworking collaboratively for their betterment.Our locally based teams have been at the heartof some of the most transformative projects inthe region, bringing cutting edge global thinking.These include Nottingham Contemporary, the This is a pivotal moment for the EastMidlands. A Devolution Deal and afirst directly elected Mayor presentonce-in-a-generation opportunities fortransformational change.Challenges such as widening inequality; poverty, climate change,economic instability, the drivetowards net zero, and the rapid pace oftechnological change continue to shiftour expectations and notions about theway we will live, work, travel and planin the future.The Devolution Deal offers opportunity Becketwell Performance Venue under constructionin Derby, and the National Rehabilitation Centrein Nottinghamshire.Recently we have been at the heart of defining avision for the future of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power This can and must change, as new opportunitiesemerge.We have lacked a convening voice and clear visionto champion the great people, businesses and partnerships across the region, and have experiencedpersistent Government under-investment. The EastMidlands Mayor will be able to oversee radicalchange with strength of leadership, clarity of vision,and pragmatic delivery. The region must refocus itscompelling offer and lean into existing strengths andcapabilities regarding the future of energy, mobility,nature-based regeneration, and life sciences. Wemust do this by creating better conditions forcollaboration and strengthening partnerships, bothinternally and externally, to achieve best results.Station.We have leveraged this experience andworked in partnership with key stakeholders todevelop seven actionable policy ideas aimed atshaping an inclusive, prosperous, resilient, andenvironmentally sustainable future for the EastMidlands. By working together, we are optimisticabout the future we can jointly create and the rolewe can all play in helping this region prosper. for major positive change, to levelup and create growth and innovation,building towards a more resilient, lowcarbon future for the region. New localpowers will help tackle challengesand harness the East Midlands trueeconomic potential Advisory Services Midlands Seven Ideas forthe East Midlands and inspire meaningful discussion. They incorporate wider thinkingfrom our work in planning, design and governance. These ideasaddress a spectrum of topics, from industrial growth and home energyefficiency to public transportation and beyond. They are designedto be enacted within the first mayoral term starting in May 2024. Seven Ideas for the East Midlands In August 2022, the East MidlandsDevolution Deal was announcedcovering Derby, Derbyshire,Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire(D2N2). This will create a MayoralCombined County Authority (MCCA)from April 2024 with powers overtransport, skills, housing, andregeneration. The Deal includes a 30-year investment fund of £1.14 billionfor the D2N2 area. –Productivity – the East Midlands is 14.6% less productive than the UK average.–Public spending– the East Midlands has the lowest public spending per person whencompared to all other English regionsat £11,225 (11% below the UK average).– Deprivation– 219,600 people in our area are living in the most deprived10% of areas across England.– Housing– An estimated 9,200 homes a yearare required to meet local need to avoid a shortfall of homes over the next 10 years.– Transport– A car dominated regionand under-investment is resulting in a highway network that is at capacity withcongestion issues constraining growth.We have identified seven ideas for the East The new Mayor will be uniquely placed to bringtogether people, local authorities and providers of other public services, business, and the communitysector to address some of the major challengesand opportunities for the East Midlands. adopt to ensure the region’s future prosperity.These respond to the challenges identified, reflec