Debate: Private Confidence in Public Recovery: Debate: Private Confidence in Public RecoveryLeading business figures from the West Midlands have taken part in a ‘Question Time’ style forum on how the public sector can help to boost recovery of the pressurised construction industry and safeguard the future of the sector and jobs.

An expert panel, comprising leading figureheads from both the public and private sector, took to the stage to deliberate on a variety of topics which included Government aid and local Government funding, low carbon economy, access to finance and Birmingham Big City Plan.

More than 80 professionals, from contractors to consultants, attended the lively debate titled ‘Private Confidence in Public Recovery’, posing questions and listening to the panellists explain their positions on how the region should tackle the issues facing the industry. The panellists included Alan Chatham, co-founder of Birmingham Development Company; Michael Thompson, associate at Arup and Lorely Burt, Liberal Democrat MP for Solihull.

The event, held at ARUP Campus in Solihull was organised by Birmingham Best Practice Club (BBPC) RIBA West Midlands and the West Midlands Centre for Constructing Excellence (WMCCE).

Noel Street, chairman of BBPC and director of Birmingham firm PCP Architects, said: “Construction plays a vital part in the West Midlands economy and the idea behind the event was to engage the industry into a discussion on the issues facing the sector and how to tackle them going forward.

“The public sector is seen by many as the one area which could lead to the recovery of the industry because of the funding it has available and the backing of the Government, and we used this topic as a platform to kick off the debate. It was good to see everyone connected to the industry engaging in a topical discussion with some good points raised during the debate.”

Among the topics discussed included the lack of finance available from the banks and how the Government could help the construction industry via a cash injection similar to the one given to the automotive sector.

Matthew Dobson, head of RIBA West Midlands, added: “It was a lively debate and it was especially pleasing to see attendees from across the supply chain getting involved in the discussion. I hope that attendees and panellists left with some real food for thought. Just like the real Question Time, we didn’t have time for all of the questions, so our plan is to replicate this style of event in the future.”

Phil Wilson, Operations Director at WMCCE, said: “We were extremely pleased with the number of attendees and the feedback we have received. “The event aimed to bring senior figures and professionals from the West Midlands construction industry together, from both the public and private sectors, so we can understand the issues and identify the potential catalysts for recovery and where the opportunities lie to support the sector.”

The panel included George Marsh, chairman of WMCCE; Paul Spooner, regional director of the Homes & Communities Agency; Philip Singleton, assistant director, City Centre Development and Design at Birmingham City Council; Alan Chatham, co-founder of Birmingham Development Company; Michael Thompson, associate at Arup; Lorely Burt, Liberal Democrat MP for Solihull; and Bob Tattrie, managing partner of Trebor Developments. The event was sponsored by Wilmott Dixon, River Levitt Bucknall and ARUP.