Business Voice WM hails decision on LEPs
LOBBY group Business Voice WM has hailed the Government’s decision on its new economic development strategy as being good for businesses in the region – despite having its bid for an over-arching West Midlands coalition of Local Enterprise Partnerships rejected.
The group had put forward proposals to try and bring together the various West Midlands LEP bids under one banner.
Instead of backing the proposal outright, the Government said it would work with business, councils and other partners to consider ways in which a West Midlands-wide model might work – similar to the approach Business Voice WM had been campaigning for.
In addition, ministers announced there would be a Sub National Growth Hub in the West Midlands focused on strategic business support.
Business Voice WM chairman Barrie Williams, said: “Ministers have seen that our position made sense for business and we are absolutely determined work positively with partners to make it work.
“What we put forward was in the best interests of the West Midlands and it remains in the best interests of the West Midlands.
“We need to move on from the disagreements that have occurred over LEPs. We should now respect the Government’s decision and ensure we are united in ensuring economic change takes place in the West Midlands.”
He said the Government was right to say the arrangements could be a new start for jobs and growth in the region.
“We must not waste this opportunity for change,” he said.
“This arrangement could begin to help support LEPs via economies of scale – so councils can save money. Also, when it comes to supply chains in sectors such as automotive, aerospace and food and drink – which cross the whole of the Midlands and not just a handful of council areas – we can work together to ensure these critical sectors get the support they need.
“Our proposal of this mechanism – bringing LEPs together – is also in line with the Prime Minister’s Big Society initiative of empowering business and communities to deliver for themselves and move away from the London knows best approach.”
He said the Sub National Growth Hub was likely to mean support for added value manufacturing businesses such as those in automotive and aerospace, which were critical to the health of the West Midlands economy.
“Official figures show that since the heyday of the 1970s – when the West Midlands was seen as the UK’s economic powerhouse – our economic clout has gone into a long decline.
“Unless we pull together then families in the West Midlands cannot enjoy the full prosperity that we should all aim for,” he said.
