Implementation in regional planning: A West Midlands perspective

Ever since the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, Government pronouncements and policy guidance have placed a strong emphasis on ‘delivery’ in planning at local and regional levels. This article provides a critical reflection on issues around implementation from a West Midlands perspective. Much of the recent academic and Government literature on delivery (and indeed regional practice) revolved around ‘partnership working’, ‘joining up’ various policy areas and ‘aligning’ the programmes and spending activities of a multitude of actors. In addition to such process issues, the article also raises important questions about the actual resources available to turn strategies into action. The availability of funding (or the lack thereof) becomes an even greater concern in the light of the severe tightening of public sector spending which could seriously hamper the regeneration strategy in the West Midlands.