Business leaders call for ‘Team Liverpool’ approach following government intervention
Business leaders representing more than 2,000 companies across Liverpool have issued a rallying call after the Government’s intervention in the city’s council last week.
Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick installed commissioners within the council to oversee certain aspects of its governance in response to the report by his inspector, Max Caller following the arrest of high-ranking council officers and politicians last year.
Mr Jenrick outlined “multiple apparent failures” within the Labour-run authority which he said paints a “deeply concerning picture” with a “pervasive and rotten culture”.
However, he stopped short of taking full control of the authority, giving it until May 24, to present plans that he believes will improve processes.
Today, business leaders have outlined their hopes for the city to rebuild in an open letter on behalf of Liverpool’s Chamber of Commerce, BID Company, Professional Liverpool, Downtown in Business and Liverpool @ MIPIM.
They say they were deeply concerned about the findings of Max Caller’s report.
They wrote: “Acknowledging the seriousness of the report, we are grateful that the sanctions imposed by the Secretary of State for Local Government were proportionate and we are confident that under the leadership of the current chief executive of the council, Tony Reeves, the required corrective actions will be successfully delivered.
“There is now an opportunity for the partnership between the public and private sectors in Liverpool to be changed and improved for the betterment of our city and its people.”
They add: “Whilst COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on many of our city’s businesses and citizens, aspiring to achieve the city’s collective economic recovery ambitions will enable us to harness the collective power of a ‘Team Liverpool’ approach to overcoming the barriers to economic growth and prosperity.”
The business leaders point to how they have worked with the public sector to combat challenges: “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we have worked to mitigate the damage being done to the local economy by working with Liverpool City Council to ensure that the needs of businesses are understood and that those needs are prioritised in the form of support measures, information, advice and guidance.
“Initiatives like Liverpool Without Walls and the mass testing pilot were made possible thanks to the collaborative efforts of our private, public and voluntary sectors.”
They say they believe the city retains its attractiveness as a place of business and one with immense growth potential.
This requires further collaboration between the public and private sectors, but there are clear examples of successful co-working including the creation of Paddington Village at the Knowledge Quarter.
“Beyond the Knowledge Quarter, the approval of Everton Football Club’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock further exemplifies how the city’s private and public sector can stimulate economic growth and have a huge impact by collectively identifying and supporting the key initiatives and innovations,” they write.
Their open letter goes on: “Our message to Liverpool-based businesses who are already here and those looking at Liverpool from afar is that the future of our city is exciting, world leading, ground-breaking and presents a strong opportunity for growth and investment. An ambitious economic recovery plan will be achieved by the contribution of our business community in the city, for whom our organisations collectively exist.
“Liverpool’s City Plan will drive aspirations for economic growth, job creation, educational improvement and socio-economic development. Innovative, responsible and aspirational businesses will drive our future growth and should be inspired that our city’s areas of weakness are being addressed and will become genuine strengths.
“Liverpool is open for business and it is primed for recovery and growth. Let us all play our part.”
