We’re really pleased to report that Birmingham City Council will be working with the excellent Centre for Local Economic Strategies, with funding from Barrow Cadbury Trust and support from us at Localise West Midlands, to look at how ‘anchor’ institutions can use their spending power to increase economic opportunities for all Birmingham’s communities, businesses and citizens.
As the Leader’s bulletin explains “Anchor institutions, such as the local authority, hospitals, universities and housing providers are significant spenders in the local economy, with large annual budgets for staff, food, energy and other supplies and services.
“Now, using an approach which is common in many North American cities and which CLES has piloted in Preston, the new partnership aims to help Birmingham’s anchor institutions use their spending power locally by identifying changes in behaviour around procurement and other processes that will benefit local businesses, people and communities.”
Sara Llewellin, Chief Executive of Barrow Cadbury Trust, who also fund LWM’s Localising Prosperity work, said: “The Trust has been pleased to see debate and practice on local economies grow in Birmingham in recent years. This anchor institution work will build on a movement which is already strong within the city and help to explore how resources already flowing through the city can be better utilised for the good of all citizens.”
Read the Leader’s Bulletin here.