Local councils back business agency

LOCAL authorities have given tacit support to plans for a new business-led organisation to represent Yorkshire's interests national and international level.

Business leaders have drawn up proposals for a community interest company (CIC) to take responsibility for functions such as inward investment, tourism, innovation, access to finance and economic intelligence.

The plans are in response to the coalition Government's decision to scrap regional development agencies, including Yorkshire Forward.

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Local authorities meanwhile are drawing up plans of their own at the request of Ministers Eric Pickles and Vince Cable to form local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) to be chaired by prominent business people.

Members of the Local Government Yorkshire and Humber group yesterday met to discuss the business proposals for the CIC, called Yorkshire Enterprise Partnership (YEP).

Group chairman Roger Stone said: "Local government and businesses in Yorkshire and Humber are committed to working together and are passionate about developing our economies, creating sustainable growth. Key to achieving this will be retaining powers and resources at all levels within Yorkshire and Humber."

He said local government welcomed the offer from businesses to join discussions at the Yorkshire and Humber level.

Local authorities are expected to submit four or five LEP bids before the September 6 deadline.

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