New LEPs must not become ‘talking shops’
THE regional chair of the Institute of Directors has warned that the replacement for Advantage West Midlands must not become a “talking shop” for councillors and politicians.
Speaking at the Local Enterprise Partnerships Conference in Birmingham, John Rider told delegates that past disputes must be put to bed if the proposed new regional body was to succeed.
He also said that Business Voice WM preferred a regional version of the LEP involving all local authorities across the West Mids, referred to as the ‘West Midlands Enterprise Partnership’.
The idea departs from the model being proposed by Birmingham Chamber chief Jerry Blackett, who advocates a tighter Birmingham ‘City Region’ LEP based mainly on the Second City and the Black Country.
And last night more differences between the region’s business groups emerged with indications that the Black Country Chamber favours a ‘go-it-alone’ strategy which turns its back on Birmingham. (Click these links to download the papers in full: Birmingham Chamber, BVWM, and the Black Country Chamber)
“Business Voice WM approached 25 member organisations on our patch from every part of the region,” said Mr Rider. “We do work well together and have common views. Business does want to be part of the solution but we can only do it if business focuses on what it does best.
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“We don’t want to get involved in a talking shop. We must stick together and particular rivalries must be put to one side.”
He explained that over the past decade, 60,000 jobs had been lost in the private sector and, regionally speaking, estimates predict that there would be 11,000 new net jobs by 2015 but 850,000 workless.
“The commodity that business values above all others – clarity –
was notably absent, as was that other rare flower in this region – leadership.”
Read editor Marc Reeves’ comment on the event here
New research also suggested that job levels in Birmingham would not get back to pre-recession levels until 2026, he Mr Rider added.
He also said that ‘local’ must mean local and losing some of AWM’s functions to London would not benefit the new LEP.
Mr Rider was joined by members of the business community and chamber and association representatives from across the West Midlands at Aston University to hear presentations and debate the LEP.
Other speakers at the conference were chair of West Midlands Councils Cllr Philip Atkins and chair of Advantage West Midlands Sir Roy McNulty.
Cllr Atkins told delegates that the councils he represented favoured the formation of LEPs based on six ‘sub-regions’ in the West Midlands.
Reaction from delegates was mixed.
Chief executive of Tamworth-based Forensic Pathways Deborah Leary said: “I would not say that I learned anything but it was a good opportunity to voice my concerns that we’ve got to focus not on what’s gone on in the past.
“It’s got to be about our business needs and it feels as if like it’s not like that at the moment.”
Terry Sadler from Shifnall-based civil engineers JN Bentley added: “I am not too sure if it could work.
“I have listened to lots of debate and it feels like there’s a lot of fragmentation and it seems a tall order to get one whole alliance.
“It seems like a lot of local authorities are already busy doing things and everybody has got slightly different directions. I can’t imagine people in Shropshire or Telford and Wrekin fighting for manufacturing jobs.”
