Business chiefs back single partnership across Humber

Jonathan Reed Political Editor

FIFTY influential business leaders have asked Ministers to reject a bid by councils to split the Humber when local enterprise partnerships (LEP) are created following the abolition of development agency Yorkshire Forward. They have written to two cabinet Ministers urging them to back a single partnership for the Humber instead of a proposal for one covering the north bank which has been put forward by councils.

The business leaders – including Chambers of Commerce, Confederation of British Industry, Federation of Small Businesses, BP and ConocoPhillips – say that only a single partnership would be able to boost the region’s economy. But Hull City Council leader Carl Minns has rejected calls for a Humber-wide LEP because he said the economic areas of the north and south Humber did not match.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It comes as national business leaders backed the principle of a separate pan-Yorkshire organisation – something businesses are fighting for to ensure the region packs its punch – as they gave evidence to a House of Commons committee. MPs were warned that the Government’s early September deadline for areas to submit bids to set up partnerships – to be led by boards of business people and councillors – has led to some proposals of poor quality.

Bids to set up partnerships led by Leeds, Sheffield and York and North Yorkshire have sparked little controversy, but rival visions for the Humber prompted the letter to Business Secretary Vince Cable and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.

Chief Executive of Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce Ian Kelly said: “This unprecedentedly strong message...makes it absolutely clear that a pan-Humber local enterprise partnership is essential for our economic and business success.”

Related topics: