Group views impact of downturn on area

A regional taskforce made up of economic experts has visited Cannock to examine the impact of the recession on the district.

The West Midlands Taskforce, put together by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, met with bosses at Cannock Chase District Council in a bid to "drill down" into the root problems that have affected the area. The decision to cast a spotlight on Cannock Chase comes after the district has been hit hard by the economic downturn.

The district has the second highest rate of growth in unemployment in England which has grown faster in recent months than any other part of the West Midlands.

Experts have said one reason the district is being so badly hit is due to the high dependency on manufacturing and industry.

The taskforce met with chief executive of the council Stephen Brown on Monday at the council's civic centre on Beecroft Road, in Cannock.

The West Midlands Taskforce was established in December and is bringing the public sector together to help the region through the economic downturn.

The group visiting Cannock included representatives from Advantage West Midlands, the Local Government Association, the Learning and Skills Council and Jobcentre Plus, as well as other Staffordshire authorities.

The meeting discussed how the economic downturn has affected the district, the impacts being felt on local communities and the way in which agencies can work together to tackle the problems.

Mr Brown said: "Cannock Chase is suffering more than most from the impact of the recession. We need to have an understanding of the social impact the recession is having on our local communities. Using this information will help to inform the regional strategy.

"No one organisation can provide all the answers, so it is vital that we all work together on this."

Mark Barrow, chairman of the individual and community support workstream of the West Midlands Taskforce, said: "We felt there was much we could learn from bringing together the key agencies and organisations that have been working locally."