A budget worth more than £900 million has been approved to support infrastructure, regeneration and job training schemes in the West Midlands.
The 2021/22 budget for the West Midlands Combined Authority includes a package of major transport projects aimed at driving economic growth and cleaner air as well as funding to transform derelict industrial sites for new green homes.
An adult education budget worth £142 million, claimed to be the biggest of any UK region outside London, will be used to give people, especially those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, the skills needed to get back into work quickly.
But in approving the budget, the combined authority's board warned of the financial uncertainty caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic with recent independent research suggesting the West Midlands could be hit harder than any other UK regional economy.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: "The investments outlined in this budget will help the West Midlands make significant strides towards a quick and effective recovery from the coronavirus pandemic as well as tackling the climate emergency facing our region.
"We're investing hundreds of millions of pounds in our green public transport network, with zero carbon and ‘Sprint' buses, new rail stations, cycling infrastructure, and of course metro extensions - with almost £100 million alone being spent over the next year on the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill extension.
"Meanwhile, more than £116 million is being spent on the remediation of derelict brownfield land, saving acres of greenbelt from development, and we're investing £142 million to level up our skills, getting us ready for the huge boost in the green jobs of the future as we look to help get people into work.
"What these investments will do is help to create and protect jobs at what is such a critical time for many people's livelihoods, whilst also helping us on our way to becoming carbon neutral by 2041.
"We are managing to deliver all of this without costing the taxpayer any more money as this will be the fourth year in a row where we have not introduced a mayoral precept, meaning not an extra penny from us will be added to people's council tax bills."
The approved budget includes £363 million for the authority's transport arm - Transport for West Midlands - to deliver schemes aimed at improving connectivity, driving economic growth and helping to cut carbon emissions.
These include the expansion of the tram system, the opening of new stations in Darlaston, Willenhall and Moseley among others and the development of a 'Sprint' rapid bus network.
More than £116 million is being committed for housing and land projects and the authority's ‘brownfield first' policy to unlock and redevelop derelict urban land and help safeguard the green belt.
Around £120 million in capital grants will be allocated to local authorities to help fund major infrastructure projects with significant investment in Coventry such as the city's station masterplan, the UK Central programme in Solihull and £20 million for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The £142 million of skills funding will be used to fund training courses that give people the opportunity to upskill and get back into work.
