The 1st peer review of the project took place in Birmingham on 26-28th September 2016. The focus for Birmingham City Council was on improving the business support to SMEs, particularly associated with digital capabilities, involvement in service delivery innovation and alongside this improving the governance of the public administration and other public sector agencies involved in economic growth. The Peer Review in Birminghambrought together experts and representatives from different sectors and agencies to discuss the barriers and challenges that face the regional SMEs. The experts also met with local businesses to hear from their perspective the issues and opportunities for improvement to public administration processes and enhanced offer to business. The expert group feedbacked to the RSG their findings and possible solutions in some of the example areas below:
How can the procurement process, city council systems and other services to SMEs in the region be streamlined and made more effective and efficient in order to enable public sector service innovation through greater involvement of entrepreneurs and SMEs?
What is the best way to provide SMEs with the business and support they need to become competitive?
What information do SMEs need and when do they need it in the Business Lifecycle?
What is the best way to provide SMEs with the digital skills and capabilities that they need to become more competitive and agile?
Following the Peer Review a report is to be produced that identifies the findings and propose solutions that will help shape the development of the Action Plan to implement change.