OUR WEST MIDLANDS: WM Young Combined Authority's Vision and Priorities for the Future

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OUR WEST MIDLANDS: WM Young Combined Authority's Vision and Priorities for the Future

Kashmire Hawker • 15 February 2021

EXTREMELY Excited and Proud, to help launch a radical and Game Changing Vision - BY YOUNG PEOPLE AND FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: for THE GREATEST patch on Earth!

WOLVERHAMPTON, WEST MIDLANDS - 12:00pm, Monday February 15th, 2021

It is with the greatest possible delight, that the West Midlands Young Combined Authority (The WMYCA), today formally launches Our West Midlands: Young Combined Authority Vision and Priorities for the Future - a document that signifies a real intent by the region's Young People, in wanting to not just co-produce the change much needed but create a society and region that really hears OUR voices!

Our West Midlands, has been in development - pretty much since the then 33 strong YCA formed in September 2019; with the mission being clear - in creating a document, that really reflects the considerations of 16-25 Year Olds, that can be both achieved through the Combined Authority's powers and supporting every effort, in fighting for stronger Devolution deals and unsurprisingly: strengthening our voice.

The YCA's first orientation, done in collaboration with Aston University's Strategic Priorities Fund, which was all set and raring to go come March 11th, 2020, had to be totally overhauled once the Pandemic truly struck home. However, and in sharing the original tagline of Diversity, Integration, Accessibility; such ambitions are very much at this vision's heart covering the WMCA's portfolio areas of Culture, Digital, Skills, Environment, Transport, Housing & Regeneration and Inclusive Communities & Wellbeing.

Each of the areas has 5 asks of the CA, meaning a bumper 35 ambitions are formally laid before the region's leaders. Some will no doubt say that it's too big, but at least 10 of them can be implemented - through the authority Mayor Andy Street and his team legally has.

And as Co-Portfolio Lead for Transport, that shaped a lot of my and colleague Asad Kalang's considerations, in being both realistic and ambitious at our calls. Seeing that 3 of the 5 are within the remit of Combined Authority's to deliver, I feel thrilled and confident that such aims can become reality and I formally offer via this blog, to work in a spirit of unity and co-production, to help bring these changes into place with Transport for West Midlands, the CA and all other stakeholders.

I feel hugely proud, of what the 33 strong cohort for 2019/2020 and the 16 strong structured group of 2020/2021 has been able to produce collectively and being a member of both, I share a unbridled sense of optimism that this is the beginning of a culture shift in Youth Engagement across this spectacular patch of land. Massive kudos must also go to Dr Daniel Fitzpatrick at Aston for the University's support in getting things off the ground and to the entire team at Beatfreeks, for the continuous and incredible belief displayed; particularly within these 12 earth changing months.

I end with the words - of which I hope Mr Mayor and WMCA CEO Deborah Cadman don't mind me sharing; the final bit of a letter received by all YCA members, after myself and YCA colleague from Birmingham Ayan Aden presented the draft at WMCA Board on January 15th:

"While it is absolutely right to focus on next steps, we also hope that you take a moment to reflect and congratulate yourselves on the development of your vision document. This has been a significant project and throughout it the YCA has demonstrated strength in how you:

Persevered with the project, which began more than a year ago
Adapted the project in response to the coronavirus pandemic
Developed thoughtful asks through deliberation and engagement
Positioned this as a vision for leaders to share rather than feel criticised by
Demonstrated leadership and ambition for realising a brighter future

We are certainly proud of how the West Midlands Young Combined Authority has developed, and we look forward to seeing where your leadership will take our region."

We are all grateful of such support as expressed; hope that such beliefs hold up (regardless of possible future political leadership) and if they do, the future for people like us; will be a better one indeed!

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