Business leaders hail decision on Black Country LEP
BUSINESS leaders in the Black Country have welcomed the Government’s decision to give formal approval to a new Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for the area.
There had been widespread pessimism in October when the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills rejected the area’s initial bid but approved one for neighbouring Birmingham.
BIS said at the time that any bids rejected at the initial stage would be reviewed and a second batch of approvals would be granted depending on viability.
Having carried out that review, BIS announced yesterday it was satisfied with the bid submitted and granted approval. In addition to the Black Country, the department also approved a bid for Worcestershire.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: “Worcestershire and the Black Country are vital new additions to the growing network of local enterprise partnerships that are going to help to create a fairer and more balanced economy driven by private sector strength.”
Local business is at the heart of the Black Country bid and the new partnership is supported by the private sector along with Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton Councils and the skills, education and transport sectors.
Partners said the bid was the result of a successful collaboration and the creation of a business-led approach to building the area’s economy.
Stewart Towe, managing director of Hadley Group and chairman of the Black Country Shadow LEP Board welcomed the announcement and said: “This is great news for the Black Country. Since Vince Cable’s announcement in October we have had positive and constructive meetings with ministers and civil servants.
“These discussions and the work that has gone with them have been really useful in helping us to clarify what we all want to achieve through the LEP and confirmed the support that exists in the Black Country for the Partnership.
“The Board has already started work and has set out its priorities for the months ahead based on an earlier business engagement event. This announcement means that we can press ahead with renewed vigour.”
The Shadow LEP Board has already met and is outlining a business plan to move forward.
First on the agenda is preparing a bid to the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) to be submitted in the New Year.
Mike Dell, president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Black Country LEP Board has already made significant steps forward in identifying strategic priorities for the area to encourage private sector growth and job creation and this progress will continue at a pace.
“Black Country Chamber will be working hard to ensure that local businesses continue to be engaged in the LEP and that its activities are shaped by the private sector.”
Paul Kalinauckas, chief executive of the Black Country Reinvestment Society said: “This is good news for the Black Country. We welcome the decision on the granting of a Black Country LEP so we can play our full part in scaling up our existing loan fund to help SMEs who cannot get access to finance from the banks.”
