Economic framework adopted to help promote region’s growth
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) have confirmed and published their vision and priorities as West Yorkshire embarks on the next step in its ongoing transformation.
The Combined Authority and LEP have agreed to adopt a new Strategic Economic Framework (SEF), as work continues to progress the West Yorkshire devolution deal and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The devolution deal will bring £1.8bn of investment into local control.
West Yorkshire leaders and the chairman of the Leeds City Region recently wrote to the Chancellor setting out how further funding could accelerate the region’s recovery from the impact of COVID-19 while delivering significant economic benefits to the UK.
The Combined Authority and LEP’s agreed vision for West Yorkshire is “to be recognised globally as a great place to live with a strong, successful economy where everyone can build businesses, careers and lives supported by a superb environment and world-class infrastructure”.
Underpinning this are the Combined Authority and LEP’s priorities of boosting productivity; enabling inclusive growth; delivering 21st century transport; tackling the climate emergency; and securing money and powers.
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, chairman of the Combined Authority and leader of Bradford Council, said: “West Yorkshire is transforming and the role of the Combined Authority is evolving rapidly thanks to devolution, as we take on more powers and responsibilities for the region, ahead of mayoral elections next year.
“The new Strategic Economic Framework brings everything we do under a single banner, as well as providing the flexibility to change in response to circumstances.
“It means we can ensure everything we do is focused on achieving our vision and delivering on our priorities, so we can improve standards of living for everyone in West Yorkshire.”
Roger Marsh
Roger Marsh, chairman of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and the NP11 group of Northern local enterprise partnerships, said: “The £1bn Growth Deal secured by the LEP has been instrumental in bringing about positive change for West Yorkshire.
“Over the past five-plus years it has supported jobs, skills and growth. As we look to the future, we have an ambitious vision for our region, and the SEF is our roadmap to making that happen.
“The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has shown we need to be agile in our approach and able to move quickly to support people and businesses across our region. The SEF has been designed to facilitate this way of working.”
Cllr Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council and Combined Authority member, said: “We remain confident and ambitious about the future of West Yorkshire and delivering growth that benefits all our communities as we recover from the impact of COVID-19 and tackle the climate emergency.
“As we deliver the devolution deal and make the case for further funding for our region, this is an important step in demonstrating the Combined Authority and LEP have a clear united vision that will guide future investment across West Yorkshire.”
The SEF builds on the the existing Strategic Economic Plan (SEP), which will continue to be used for Growth Deal programmes until this ends in March 2021.
The SEF brings the SEP up to date and allows greater flexibility to reflect changing economic circumstances, as well as improving resilience during periods of change and uncertainty.
