LEP boss calls on combined West Midlands authority to seal devolution deal

THE chairman of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership has called on a combined authority in the West Midlands to work with the area’s LEPs to seal a devolution deal with the next government.

Andy Street said all stakeholders had to seize the initiative now so the area could develop an entity to challenge the likes of a Northern Powerhouse.

With the issue of devolved powers very much to the fore during the run-up to the General Election, the LEP has been one of the leading advocates for change.

The approach has powerful allies in the form of senior Conservatives such as Lord Heseltine and Boris Johnson, both of whom have said that if the West Midlands is to be recognised on the national stage it has to speak with one voice.

Speaking at last night’s annual dinner of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, Street said: “Now is our time – we have to seize the moment and be ambitious.”

He highlighted the step change in the city region’s economic performance, praising the teamwork that underpinned this achievement, and the mutually reinforcing roles played by the private and public sector.

He urged the region to use its new-found confidence to be “more ambitious still” and build on this strong foundation to negotiate a new deal with the incoming Government.

In his last Budget, George Osborne said his door was open to authorities that wished to explore greater collaboration but much of the future direction for this policy will depend on what happens on May 7.

Street is not alone in calling for such an approach.

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce is another to advocate devolving powers to the region.

Black Country Chamber President, Ninder Johal said: “Firms want to see spending decisions related to local growth made in their areas, but remain very sceptical of any devolution of tax-setting powers to local authorities without any increased accountability to the businesses they represent.

“Businesses don’t support devolution for devolution’s sake. However, they support greater local decision making if it means greater efficiency, greater accountability and better results. Our proposal for a ratepayers’ vote on local economic development strategy and funding decisions would ensure that plans for an area’s future have the support and input of the whole business community.”
 
He said boosting the growth prospects of England’s counties and cities had to be a priority for the next government.

“Yet devolution must work for business if local areas are to see sustainable growth and job creation for years to come,” he added.

He said two snap polls conducted by the chamber had shown that businesses in the area favoured devolved powers at the West Midlands level and the chamber would be working with its partners to ensure this happened.

Close