Bradford Chamber forced to wait for answers from Government (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford Chamber forced to wait for answers from Government

2:34pm Tuesday 7th September 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

As Government ministers try to quell concerns about the future of regional economic development plans, a Bradford business leader says much more work needs to be done to achieve a workable system that will benefit the local economy.

Sandy Needham, chief executive of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, which has been consulting its 1,100 members on plans for Local Enterprise Partnerships, says progress on plans to replace England’s regional development agencies, including Yorkshire Forward, was at a standstill pending further clarification.

This week saw the passing of the first deadline in the process of establishing LEPs – which are intended to see business and local authorities working together on economic regeneration of particular areas. Among 50 or so bids for LEPs submitted one is from the Leeds City Region, which includes Bradford.

But Mrs Needham said firms were concerned about ensuring that LEPs were flexible and not too restricted to geographic boundaries.

Businesses also want to see some of the responsibilities currently earmarked for national control, such as inward investment and transport infrastructure, to be handled regionally.

Bradford Chamber has been consulting with other business agencies to thrash out proposals for LEPs in West Yorkshire, but everyone is now awaiting the Government’s response.

Mrs Needham said: “We have got feedback from our members who believe that, whatever the final geographical boundaries for LEPs, there is enough flexibility in the system to enable companies to work with more than one body. At this stage there’s not much more we can do. The business select committee is holding a parliamentary enquiry and we need to see what that says. Also, the Government is due to publish a white paper in October.”

Meanwhile it is reported two key ministers have stepped in to ease the fears over LEPs.

Eric Pickles, the former Bradford Council leader who is now Communities Secretary, and Business Secretary Vince Cable have said only those LEP proposals that have the strongest commitment to enterprise and working in partnership would be selected and given the go-ahead.