SWM News January 2018: Peter Braithwaite’s ‘Reflections of a Chair’ 2012-2017 and win annual SWM membership

This month Peter Braithwaite reflects on his five years as Chair of SWM. He shares his thoughts on the changes he has seen during this period including the growth of the LEPs, the forming of HS2 teams, the birth of the Combined Authority and our agreed sustainability support programme and the appointment of our first elected Mayor; in all of which SWM has played a part. He also sets out his current work with the ARLI Project at the University of Birmingham. Read Peter’s full Comment here.

We’re also excited to open our competition for three organisations to win annual 2018 membership to SWM. It’s easy to apply and you could benefit from promotion of your brand, products and services; free use of our meeting rooms in central Birmingham; and a free place at our Annual Conference in November 2018. Full details are available online and you have until 28 February 2018 to apply. Good luck!

Anna Bright, Chief Executive, on behalf of the SWM team.

• By 16 February 2018. The Midcounties Co-operative Community Funding is offering grants of up to £2,000 for projects supporting their social goals. 
• By 7 March 2018. Up to £30million of match funding is available through APC9: Anchoring low carbon technology development in the UK.
• By 30 March 2018. Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP is looking for proposals to its Sustainable Urban Development programme. £11m of ERDF is available.
• By March 2019. SMEs can obtain free energy audits and 40% grant funding towards energy efficiency measures in Greater Birmingham, Solihull and Black Country areas.

Since 1 April 2017, we have promoted £510 million of accessible funding.

• The Innovation Alliance for the West Midlands launched today and SWM is working in partnership by continuing to run the Innovative Low Carbon Working Group.
• Cenex are delivering a Vehicle to Grid Training Workshop on 31 January in Nottingham. The workshop is CPD accredited. 
• Coventry City Council is supporting businesses to understand their energy bill with an event in Coventry on 31 January. 
• Energy Systems Catapult and University of Birmingham are running an event on the opportunities and impact of the Industrial Strategy for SMEs on 15 February.
• University of Warwick is hosting a Global Sustainable Development lecture on climate realism on 19 February.
• SWM is running an ‘Inspiring Behaviour Change’ event for our Public Health and NHS Networks on 8 March in Coventry in partnership with PHE.
• Climate Change Solutions is running its annual Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Conference on 13 March at the NEC.
• SWM is convening the latest Innovative Low Carbon Working Group meeting on 15 March in Birmingham.
• SWM will be speaking at the Environment Agency’s flagship Flood & Coast Conference between 20-22 March about our climate adaptation research with LEPs.
• Energy Capital is launching the Regional Energy Policy Commission on 28 March at the University of Birmingham.

A full list of our members is on our website.

• Welcome to our new members Keele University.
• SWM in partnership with Groundwork West Midlands have released our latest environmental legislation update, with information on Low Carbon Growth Support Project, APC9 and electric vehicle charging.
• SWM has agreed the next steps of our support programme for the WMCA which was discussed at our January Board meeting.
• SWM, in partnership with the Environment Agency, ran an event that featured Defra and focused on climate adaptation and Climate Just on 4 January.
• SWM has published Fit for the Future II which analyses national progress of LEPs, Core Cities and combined authorities on energy, low carbon and climate change.
• SWM have considered the opportunities for the West Midlands based on the Clean Growth Strategy, Industrial Strategy and the second West Midlands Devolution Deal.
• SWM have produced a report for Energy Capital on energy and low carbon activity and structures in combined authority areas.
• The Environment Agency’s awards are held in March 2018 for projects that have delivered excellent results in flood prevention, coastal risk or resilience.
• Localise West Midlands are recruiting for a Communications and Administrative assistant. The closing date for applications is 1 February.
• Localise West Midlands have created a short video showing how a diverse and lively economy can meet local needs with local resources.
• Groundwork West Midlands have produced the latest Environmental Legislation Update with information on support available to businesses.
• The Institute of Civil Engineering (ICE) WM Awards recognise excellence in innovation within civil engineering and include a sustainability category. The deadline for entries is 15 March.

SWM members can send their events, research or other contributions to enquiries@swm.org.uk to be included in the next issue for no extra charge. Not a member? There are many advantages to SWM membership; find out more here.

• Waste. On 31 January Meres & Mosses Business Environment Network are organising a waste management networking event in Oswestry.
• Energy. Heart of England Community Energy has launched its first share offer for three solar farms in Stratford-Upon-Avon. The offer ends on 10 February.
• Awards. Nominations for the sixth NHS Sustainability Awards are open until 1 March, awarding prizes to professionals working to improve environmental outcomes.
• Health. A new energy strategy guide for healthcare estates produced by the Carbon & Energy fund is available to download.
• Transport. A landmark sector deal between government and the automotive industry has been announced, with funding available for Jaguar Land Rover.

We hope you enjoyed reading our newsletter. If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter, are interested in becoming a member or have news stories, events, case studies and reports, please visit our website or contact us.