Agreement puts YEP ‘on hold’
PLANS for a Yorkshire Enterprise Partnership have been put on hold after the chairmen of the county’s three local enterprise partnerships agreed to work together on key issues.
The YEP idea was put forward after the decision to abolish regional development Yorkshire Forward last year triggered concerns that the region would lack a united voice on economic matters where there are shared interests.
The chairmen of the three new local enterprise partnerships – covering the Leeds and Sheffield city regions and York and North Yorkshire – have stopped short of establishing a formal body but have now pledged to work together.
York and North Yorkshire LEP chairman Barry Dodd, and one of the leading figures behind the YEP idea, said: “I think in the current climate it is unlikely it would get funding and the LEP chairmen didn’t want anyone to be asking ‘who does what?’ They thought there was a danger of us confusing the business community.
“This is a good step forward and a sign of real cooperation and its a result of all the effort that was put in to explore the YEP idea.”
Mr Dodd said discussions were already underway to look at ways the three LEPs could work together to make sure they benefit from programmes that will be run from Whitehall in future.
Other areas on the table for discussion include co-ordinating large projects, transport infrastructure and EU issues.
Neil McLean, chairman of the Leeds City Region LEP, said: “Working in partnership with our neighbouring LEPs is crucial if we are to successfully drive sustainable economic activity and help our businesses and the wider economy grow.
“Issues such as transport connectivity and innovation are central to the business community and by working together across economic boundaries will ensure that future developments reflect the needs of our economies and benefit businesses and communities.”
James Newman, chairman of the Sheffield City Region LEP, said: ”I am pleased that the three LEPs with mutual interests have taken this step to work together.
“I and my colleagues in the Sheffield City Region are looking forward to working in collaboration with the LEPs in Leeds and North Yorkshire to ensure that we maximise the potential for growth across the whole area.”
