Leeds city region LEP debated today
BUSINESSES will have the chance to shape the replacement for Yorkshire Forward today just 24 hours after Yorkshire council leaders met Ministers to discuss their plans.
The debate over the new Leeds city region local enterprise partnership will take place at the launch event later today for the Innovation Capital Programme, a new vehicle aimed at bringing universities and business closer together.
Kersten England, chief executive at City of York Council and the leader of Bradford Council, Ian Greenwood yesterday took part in a meeting with Ministers and business representatives from across the UK at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Speaking after the meeting, Ms England said Ministers had indicated they would not be prescriptive over the form LEPs should take and who their membership should be.
Business leaders are due to join representatives of the 11 councils in the Leeds city region at the event in York today which will include a debate over the local enterprise partnership they are planning to form as the Government prepares to abolish regional development agencies.
Adam Sinclair, chair of York Business Forum, said: “The Government’s proposals to reform sub-national economic development and create local enterprise partnerships put business at the forefront of shaping local investment priorities.
“York Business Forum is delighted to be hosting this event with Leeds City Region Partnership and we look forward to welcoming private sector colleagues from across the City Region to hear about work with business to date and proposals to form a local enterprise partnership.”
The Innovation Capital Programme aims to promote growth in enterprise and innovation by promoting closer working between businesses and the region’s universities.
Coun Mike Gardner, chair of the Leeds city region partnership’s economic drivers and innovation panel, said: ‘Leeds City Region is the largest city region outside London and has a wealth of world-class economic assets, including over 100,000 businesses, a £50bn economy and one of the largest clusters of research universities in Europe.
“The Innovation Capital Programme is about harnessing these assets to drive innovation and enterprise, attract talent and investment, and promote prosperity for the benefit of everyone who lives and works in the city region.”
