Decision

That the West of England Combined Authority Committee:

(1)   Approved the non-statutory designation of the West Innovation Arc as a Mayoral Development Zone (MDZ);

(2)   Approved the key principles of the Mayoral Development Zone set out in paragraph 11;

(3)   Endorsed the establishment of an interim delivery team to coordinate activities and facilitate early progress for the West Innovation Arc (WIA) project;

(4)   Delegated authority to the MCA’s Director of Place, in consultation with equivalent directors at South Gloucestershire and Bristol City Councils, to recruit an interim chair of the MDZ, supported by an MDZ Board;

(5)   Noted the direction of travel towards establishing a statutory Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) for the West Innovation Arc, with detailed proposals to be developed through further evidence development, consultation and local engagement before being reported back to Committee for a decision.