MP calls for LEP board inclusion

A YORKSHIRE MP has called for two towns in Yorkshire to be given more direct representation on the board of the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.

Conservative MP Kris Hopkins asked House of Commons Leader Sir George Young, during Business Questions, to agree to a debate “on representation on local enterprise partnerships” after arguing that that there is no direct member of the board covering his constituency of Ilkley and Keighley.

Bradford Council leader Ian Greenwood has been named as one of eight local authority leaders to be named on the board, an authority that covers the two towns.

However, Mr Hopkins argues that given Bradford Council’s size, it should have greater representations on the LEP’s board. 

The other members of the board, which is chaired by lawyer Neil McLean, all come from the private sector.

After the House’s Business Questions, Mr Hopkins said he was encouraged that a debate might be held on the subject.

He said: “The situation regarding the current LEP board demonstrates the need for Keighley and Ilkley to be self-governing and have its own clear representation, because the present arrangements do not allow it. The views of Keighley and Ilkley nor, indeed, Shipley, should be ignored.

“If we are to increase the numbers of businesses and maximise inward investment to Keighley and Ilkley, we need to be at the table in our own right, arguing our own case.”

The LEP will formally start work in April with its early work likely to focus on making the case for the Government to hand it key powers over local economic development.