This section allows you to view the general details of a Decision
Details
Title:
Review of the Regional Growth Fund
Include item on Forward Plan
Yes
Item Contains Exempt/Private Reports
Yes
Urgent Decision - Not in Forward Plan
No
Details for Agenda Sheet
Report of the Executive Director of Finance, Section 151 Officer
Implementation Date (not before meeting on)
Thu 13 Nov 2025
Purpose
This report provides an overview of the City Council's role as Accountable Body for the Regional Growth Fund (RGF), a UK Government initiative launched in 2010 to stimulate private sector-led economic growth in areas most affected by public sector cuts. However, operational challenges have arisen in the management of the Fund, prompting the recommendation that the Council enter discussions with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) regarding a negotiated exit from its Accountable Body responsibilities.
The report outlines the origins, evolution, and current structure of the RGF, details the issues encountered, and sets out next steps for engaging with DBT to develop options for a potential transition. Final decisions will be subject to further review once proposals are formulated in partnership with DBT.
Key Portfolio
------ N/A ------
Chief Officer Decision Maker
------ N/A ------
Decision Maker:
Cabinet Committee - Group Company Governance
Decision Outcome
On 13 November
2025, Cabinet Committee Group Company Governance;
(i)
Noted
the operational challenges and governance complexities associated with the
Regional Growth Fund (RGF), including the evolving risk profile of loan
recipients and the need for enhanced oversight.
(ii)
Endorsed
the governance and compliance improvements introduced by Birmingham City
Council, including strengthened due diligence, revised approval workflows, and
quarterly loan book reconciliations;
(iii)
Noted
the issues identified with the operation of the Regional Growth Fund; and
(iv)
Approved
the continual performance monitoring of delivery against recycled regional
growth fund objectives.
THE DEADLINE
FOR CALL IN IS 1600 HOURS ON WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2025.
Would the recommended decision be contrary to the budget and policy framework:
No
Additional Information
Decision Criteria
This Decision does not contain any decision criteria records.
Wards
This Decision does not contain any Ward records.
Topics
This Decision does not contain any Topic records
Overview and Scrutiny
This Decision does not contain any Overview and Scrutiny records.
This section allows you to view the reports for the Decision.
Reports
-
Review of the Regional Growth Fund
- Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information);
-
CC GCG Report on review of Regional Growth Fund
(172Kb)
-
EXEMPT APPENDIX _Cabinet GCG - Review of Regional Growth Fund - final
- Private Report
This section displays the history of the Decision.
Decision History
| 08/10/2025 18:27:26 | Mandeep Marwaha | Business Item Created | |
| 08/10/2025 18:27:26 | Mandeep Marwaha | Committee Added | Cabinet Committee - Group Company Governance |
| 08/10/2025 18:27:26 | Mandeep Marwaha | Meeting Added | 13/11/2025 2:00PM |
| 08/10/2025 18:27:52 | Mandeep Marwaha | General Details Edited | |
| 08/10/2025 18:28:27 | Mandeep Marwaha | Report Added | Document ID 302682: Review of the Regional Growth Fund |
| 08/10/2025 18:30:02 | Mandeep Marwaha | Contacts Edited | |
| 08/10/2025 18:30:11 | Mandeep Marwaha | Status Changed | Decision Proposed [2] |
| 08/10/2025 18:31:18 | Mandeep Marwaha | General Details Edited | |
| 08/10/2025 18:39:15 | Mandeep Marwaha | General Details Edited | |
| 05/11/2025 15:12:43 | Mandeep Marwaha | Report Added | Document ID 307131: CC GCG Report on review of Regional Growth Fund |
Approval/Comments
No history found.