Business close to Humber LEP victory

BUSINESSES on the Humber look set to win their campaign for a local enterprise partnership covering both banks.

Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce said the business community would be putting forward new proposals for a pan-Humber LEP after a meeting with Decentralisation Minister Greg Clark in Whitehall.

Businesses have consistently made the case for a pan-Humber LEP but councils in the area have been unable to agree the idea and last year presented Ministers with proposals for a patchwork of partnerships which were rejected.

Resolving the deadlock on the issue has taken on new importance in the wake of Wednesday’s Budget which made clear the Government will only allow enterprise zones to be created in areas covered by LEPs. Enterprise zones were awarded to the Leeds and Sheffield city regions but there was nothing for the Humber.

It is understood the new plan would see a pan-Humber partnership take responsibility for area-wide issues, such as ports, but leave the way free for separate LEPs to tackle problems specific to the north and south banks.

TheBusinessDesk.com has separately learned that consultancy firm DTZ is already conducting research with businesses on the north bank with a view to plans being resubmitted for a LEP covering Hull, East Riding and Scarborough.

Humber MPs joined representatives of the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce and Stephen Martin from Clugston Group, Andrew Horncastle from Horncastle Group and Carolyn Burgess from Language is Everything to press the case for a Humber LEP in Whitehall .

Richard Kendall, head of policy and communications at the chamber, said: “It was a very encouraging meeting and the Minister left with a clear appreciation of what businesses want to see. 

“The business community will now take the lead in urgently developing proposals for a pan-Humber LEP to support economic growth.  This will be one component of a possible solution that would meet the needs of business and local authorities.  We have discussed it with the Minister and will be seeking to discuss it will council leaders in the coming days . 

“We are very grateful  for the encouragement given to us by the Minister and the support given by our local MPs.

“We have a small window to catch up before the deadline for enterprise zones closes, and the Minister has assured us that it can be done. 

“We are determined to resolve this situation quickly and once and for all to ensure we do not miss out in the opportunity afforded by LEP’s and enterprise zones and we make the most our potential for growth.”

Last October, the Government rejected proposals for separate local enterprise partnerships covering the north and south bank as well as a plan for a pan-Humber LEP that was backed by just one of the area’s councils.

Mr Clark said: “I was very impressed by the level of energy and commitment shown by businesses from north and south of the Humber to work together to ensure that the area benefits from a local enterprise partnership. It was also remarkable that MPs from different political parties from right across the area shared their determination.”

Business Minister Mark Prisk added: “Local enterprise partnerships will be key to enabling local communities to thrive and will play a very significant role in boosting growth. Already, the vast majority of businesses in England are covered by a local enterprise partnership and it is encouraging to see business leaders from areas like Hull and Humber move forward with their own plans.”

Consultancy firm DTZ is already consulting with business over plans by Hull, East Riding and Scarborough to resubmit their proposals for a north bank LEP.

In a joint statement, the two authorities said: “Hull and East Riding Councils have commissioned DTZ to investigate and facilitate business engagement and compile a report on the views of businesses on the purposes, objectives and priorities of local enterprise partnerships.

“Funding for this important work comes from central Government via a Regional Improvement and Efficiency Programme which is overseen by Local Government Yorkshire and Humber.”