Collinson defends RDA after Bradley attack

LIVERPOOL council leader Warren Bradley’s attack on the North West Development Agency at the Liberal Democrat party conference has been slammed by a second major business group.

Respected business grandee Len Collinson, leader of Private Sector Partners, which represents more than 140,000 North West businesses, joined Down Town Liverpool in Business chairman Frank McKenna is criticising Coun Bradley’s approach.

Coun Bradley said the NWDA was a “money-wasting bureaucracy” and supported Lib Dem party plans to axe all the regional development agencies.

Mr Collinson said:  “Councillor Bradley’s job ought to be managing Liverpool City Council out of its appalling relationship with the private sector.

“His comments are inappropriate to the needs of Merseyside. The private sector believes the RDA has done a good job and the alternative of bringing responsibility for services to businesses under the City Council is not credible.  The Council lacks the capacity and competence.

“Moreover, the track record of Merseyside local authorities in  working together for the good of the Region is poor. Look at the failed project on trams or the fiasco over Everton’s new ground.”