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•	What does the East Midlands mean to you? What does it represent? What are you most proud of? What are your favourite things about living or working here? 

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•	What does the East Midlands mean to you? What does it represent? What are you most proud of? What are your favourite things about living or working here? 

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• In your view, what are the shared themes/key characteristics that unify this combined authority?

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•	What are the biggest economic challenges you see facing our region? What are the obstacles to progress? 

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•	What are the biggest economic challenges you see facing our region? What are the obstacles to progress? 

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• What are the greatest economic opportunities for the East Midlands? How can we capitalize on these strengths to create a better future?

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•	What can we, as a Commission, do to make a real difference? How can we ensure that our work benefits people in the region? What is needed for success?

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•	What can we, as a Commission, do to make a real difference? How can we ensure that our work benefits people in the region? What is needed for success?

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Peak District National Park

Sherwood Forest

The mighty River Trent

Lively cities

Great Universities

Great transport connections

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A real mix of geography, with lots of differing challenges and opportunities

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Home

Planes, trains and automobiles

Derby, large enough to matter, small enough to care

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Local heritage Wollaton park, Nottingham castle

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Local heritage Wollaton park, Nottingham castle

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Characterful city that isn’t too big/overwhelming. 

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Characterful city that isn’t too big/overwhelming. 

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Polycentric Character

The East Midlands is notably diverse, encompassing multiple towns, cities, and rural areas rather than a single central hub. This variety of settings creates a unique and appealing tapestry of features and opportunities.

Strong Sense of Home

For many, especially those who have lived or moved around extensively, the East Midlands (e.g., Nottingham, Derby) retains a strong pull and sense of belonging.

Heritage and Community Spirit

Northern areas, including Mansfield and Chesterfield, reflect a proud mining heritage. The people are often described as genuine and honest, with a strong sense of community rooted in their industrial past.

Modern Growth and Connectivity

East Midlands Airport and the surrounding logistics industries, as well as improved rail connectivity, contribute to a contemporary, vibrant feel in the region.

These developments reflect a commitment to inclusivity and modern infrastructure.

Varied Urban and Rural Communities

Communities across the region—whether in historic mining towns or larger cities like Nottingham and Derby—place a high value on local identity and solidarity.

Educational and Industrial Perspectives

Long-standing connections with regional institutions (e.g., former Polytechnics) have provided insights into the differing needs of industries in both large cities and smaller towns.

This blend of academic and practical industry engagement informs an understanding of the East Midlands’ potential and challenges.

Infrastructure Pride

Road networks (A453, A46, expanded M1) and proximity to London are seen as critical advantages, offering strong connectivity and a framework that supports growth and mobility.

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Surely it’s more than Notts & Derbyshire? Or should EMCCA be renamed N&DCCA? I feel part of the East Midlands living & working in north Leicestershire, less than 10 miles from East Mids Airport but technically excluded because of county borders. So, for EMCCA to be inclusive I propose that it first redefines its boundaries!

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I like the fact that we have the word "land" in our title. It's quite emotive: being connected to the land; the land producing; open land; landing here (and staying) etc

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I think it'ssuper important to note that inclusion isn't about other people and their identities, it's about us and our behaviours and culture.

So when we're thinking about Inclusive Growth, isn't it more about a singularity of purpose rather than trying to define an identity to rally around.

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Need to bring everybody along on the journey

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Need to bring everybody along on the journey

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Need to find ways to make the places people are now into places where they want to stay

Spotlight on those areas with poorest environment and least green space to be improved to boost health and wellbeing

Do the analysis and be honest about the places that are lagging behind and deliver real improvements there

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Regeneration in communities struggling with trauma, inequity and multiple barriers (as many of the northern derbyshire & nottinghamshire areas experience) requires trust, consistency and ownership.

Community economic growth is really important, but it is ignored in favour of inward investment.

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Challenges around economics need to focus on skills and opportunities 

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Challenges around economics need to focus on skills and opportunities 

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Place Literacy and Social Affection are too concepts which another FRSA and I are working on developing which would support this.

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If you live next to a rail station or in a city, transport in the EM is great. If you're in rural areas or former coalfield towns / villages, it's appalling. This causes massive issues.

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How strong are the boundaries we assume?

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How strong are the boundaries we assume?

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What opportunities exist by great collaboration outside Notts & Derbyshire with other counties, companies, organisations & individuals who associate with being in & supporting the wider East Midlands?

What if we could encourage & support millions of East Midlanders to think differently?

How could we possibly think globally and act locally? Who could we involve? What possible assumptions might EMCCA be encouraged to explore?

Words matter. What limitations might already be in place? What if “Authority” was replaced by “Enabler”?

EMCCE = East Midlands Combined Counties Enabler.

Just a possibility…….

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Capacity for encouraging inward investment 

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Capacity for encouraging inward investment 

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What are the mechanisms, approaches and capacity for encouraging businesses to bring their business here, but making sure it's socially connected and green in it's approach

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Policy Impact Considerations for Inclusive Growth

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Policy Impact Considerations for Inclusive Growth

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EcoGPX, developed by Intercultural Roots with Innovate UK funding in the West Midlands, is a collaborative platform that harnesses environmental data, community storytelling, and creative-based methods to drive health, climate resilience and economic prosperity. Through the Places by EcoGPX app, local stakeholders in the East Midlands can identify, map, and implement sustainable initiatives—bridging the region’s industrial heritage with green and technological innovation. This integrated approach empowers communities to co-create solutions, building inclusive economic growth and preserving the unique identity of the East Midlands.

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Many of our communities are left out of these discussions and as a result have low-levels of trust for regeneration. Most initiatives are "done to". "Done with" needs to be the way forward.

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Planning and Regeneration need to work together

Community Engagement- not just the pretence of consultation- needs to be prioritised

I lead globally recognised practice in this work!! And I live in Derby.

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Take opportunities to support SMEs as well as chase inward investment 

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Take opportunities to support SMEs as well as chase inward investment 

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Find a way to better promote success and opportunities in the EMCCA area

Need to understand what people value about the places they live in now and what they would like to see improved/added

Is there some minimum requirement that we can agree on that makes a community sustainable and likely to thrive - are there tipping points beyond which communities are set to fail? Can we spot them and head them off…

Leading practice - analysis of the environmental negatives and mapping of them to identify where intervention will have most impact - example of Westminster Borough

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People living four miles across Chesterfield have 10 years difference in their healthy lifespan. This isn't ok. It gums up our services and doesn't drive growth

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See Westminsters Environmental Justice Model

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See Westminsters Environmental Justice Model

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Mapping the distribution of environmental conditions, climate impacts and access to green, sustainable resources across Westminster.

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Success on any Inclusion strategy is predicated on 6 things being present:

Support from leadership

Time, a proper dedication of it, and short, medium & long term

Resource - access to knowledge, data and research

Effort & Expertise - enough people to deliver the work and the right level of experience and skills

Agency- Those tasked with doing the work are given the ear of the leadership of constructive criticism

Money- Proper budget for the work

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How EcoGPX and Places by EcoGPX Can Benefit the East Midlands

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How EcoGPX and Places by EcoGPX Can Benefit the East Midlands

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Enhancing Community Connections – Strengthens ties between diverse communities by cultivating collaboration through place-based creative practices.

Revitalising Local Heritage – Engages residents with the cultural and environmental heritage of towns and cities, bringing underrepresented stories to life.

Boosting Economic and Social Well-being – Supports eco-artists and local practitioners, creating opportunities for creative entrepreneurship and skills development.

Innovative Digital Engagement – The Places by EcoGPX app enables communities to map, share, and explore cultural and ecological narratives interactively.

Sustainable Urban and Rural Development – Encourages eco-friendly practices and the reclamation of public spaces through community-led initiatives.

Health and Well-being Impact – Promotes ecological public health by encouraging engagement with green and blue spaces, fostering mental and physical well-being.

Inclusive Storytelling and Representation – Provides a platform for local voices, enabling diverse communities to shape and share their own narratives.

Strengthening Local Infrastructure – Supports regional connectivity by linking creative spaces, transport hubs, and key sites through digital and physical interactions.

Bridging Traditional and Digital Spaces – Offers a new, ethical social network focused on meaningful, place-based interaction rather than data monetization.

Scalability and Replication – Provides a model for place-based engagement that can be adapted across East Midlands towns, cities, and rural communities to support long-term resilience and growth.

https://www.interculturalroots.org/project/ecogpx

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Find new ways of listening to local communities especially those which might easily go off radar - giving space to fresh view and ideas. Important to bring the community sector into the conversation.

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Think Differently. Think Bigger, Better, Bolder!

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Think Differently. Think Bigger, Better, Bolder!

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Happy to share the Go M.A.D. (Make a Difference) approach & methodology proven in 44 countries & 470+ organisations. Designed to engage & empower people to achieve results.

what if the commissioner achieve 1000 measurable differences?