Coventry Chamber backs breakaway LEP
BUSINESS leaders in Coventry and Warwickshire have given their support to the formation of a new Local Enterprise Partnership for the area.
The move underlines the increasing fragmentation of the business community in the region, and contrasts to the view of Business Voice West Midlands – the over-arching umbrella organisation – that there there should be one LEP to replace AWM,
Businesses representing 25,000 employees and more than £16bn worth of turnover attended the event, which has been described as one of the most important in a generation for the area.
David Frost, the director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, also attended.
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The new coalition Government wants business to be equally represented on the new partnerships – after announcing the abolition of regional development agencies.
A draft proposal for a LEP for the area is now being drawn up and, once agreed, will be submitted to the Government.
Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We were delighted with the response and the turnout which highlighted just how crucial this is as an issue in our region.
“It is a seen as a once in a lifetime opportunity to shape the economic future of the region and it is certainly one of the most important we have held here at the chamber.”
She said the draft proposal would take into account the thoughts and comments raised at the meeting.
“We are absolutely clear that this must not be a talking shop. It must take a form that allows businesses to decide the conditions it needs to grow the economy and then have the means to put those conditions in place,” she said.
“This is not going to take the form of going to central Government for a grant – it should be the beginning of a demand-led economy in Coventry and Warwickshire.”
The draft LEP is expected to be posted on the chamber website within the next two weeks and has to be submitted to the Government by a deadline of September 6.
Ms Bennett added: “We have a drafting team working on the document now, and this meeting will provide a wealth of input to help us draw up something which is not only innovative, but will stand this area in very good stead economically for the foreseeable future.”
