Politicians told to unite as councillors ‘fail LEP test’

However less than six months before the deadline for the next round of the regional growth fund, only one in 10 councillors in Leeds even know what the Leeds City Region LEP – the local enterprise partnership driving the bid – is.

That was the claim at a meeting where one councillor admitted he was “somewhat in the dark”, and another asked: “Why don’t I know about the LEP?”

Meanwhile rival cities like Manchester are already reaping the rewards because they are “on message”, a meeting of the Leeds City Council housing and regeneration scrutiny board was told.

The Government recently announced that Greater Manchester had secured investment to support the growth of scientific enterprise across the region.

Conservative councillor John Procter, chair of the housing and regeneration scrutiny board, told colleagues: “Many of us look across the Pennines and see the success there.

“They have achieved that by having everyone on message.

“We need to make sure that Leeds is talked up all the time at Whitehall.”

Coun Procter had earlier told colleagues the lack of general awareness about the work of the LEP was “clearly concerning”.

“Probably no more than 10 elected members out of 99 understand what a LEP is”, he said. “There’s clearly work needed to bring all members of the council up to speed.”

Roger Marsh, chairman of the Leeds City Region LEP, told the panel: “There is a job to be done. A huge communications and engagement piece needs to be developed.

“The ambition of the LEP is to use public money in a strategic and sustained way to drive growth.

“We need to make sure that the strategic plan is seen by Whitehall as visionary – as knockout. We want to change the game for our city region.”

Coun Keith Wakefield, leader of Leeds city council, said: “If we want to reinvigorate the northern economy and reduce social and economic inequalities, we have to make the Local Enterprise Partnership work. “The level of investment the LEP can attract will enable us to deliver thousands of jobs and apprenticeships, much needed improvements to transport links and more affordable homes.

“Awareness of the work of the LEP is growing but I expect that to increase.

“The LEP now needs to make a strong case for investment in Leeds for the next deadline for funding as there is a lot to play for. We want to see more devolvement of powers from Whitehall to allow us to apply our local knowledge to grow our economy.”

Comment: Page 12.