12 August 2010

Enterprising Start for New Partnership

Two events held recently to consult with Cheshire and Warrington businesses on proposals for a Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership were attended by nearly 100 senior managers and directors.

Held last week over two days in Northwich, and organised by the Cheshire & Warrington Enterprise Commission, the events were designed to involve businesses at the earliest stages of the development of the bid for a Local Enterprise Partnership for the area.

In a letter to Local Authority and Business Leaders, the Coalition Government has announced its intention to create LEPs which will be business led and will focus on transforming the economy.

Robert Davis, Chairman of the Cheshire & Warrington Enterprise Commission and Group Chief Executive of EA Technology near Chester, is an enthusiastic advocate of the proposal: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us as businesses to create a model that we are happy with and make sure that it meets our needs and enables us to grow our businesses.

“With inevitable reductions in public sector expenditure we need to look increasingly to the private sector to help us drive the economy forward. It is vital that our businesses are successful and continue to support our residents and the economy.

“We are delighted that businesses are very supportive of the creation of an LEP and what came across very strongly at the events was that senior managers want to be involved now, in the formulation of the bid, to shape what the LEP will do and give it a clear business focus.”

Vince Cable (Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills) and Eric Pickles (Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government) outlined their aspirations for these partnerships in the letter:

“We are keen to encourage local businesses and councils to work together to develop their proposals for local enterprise partnerships. The Coalition Government is determined to re-balance the economy towards the private sector. We regard local enterprise partnerships as central to this vision.”

CWEC is holding a further event on 23rd August 2010 in Northwich for all stakeholders in particular the public, voluntary and community sectors.

Expected later in the summer, the forthcoming White Paper on sub-national economic growth will set out the Government’s approach to LEPs in more detail.

Outline proposals for new Local Enterprise Partnerships are to be submitted to Government by 6 September 2010.

For further information on the Cheshire and Warrington bid for a Local Enterprise Partnership, and the event on 23rd August, visit the LEP Consultation page of this website.

For further information contact:
Tina Johnston, External Relations Manager
Cheshire & Warrington Enterprise Commission
Tel: 01606 734187; Mobile: 07976 617129; Email: Tina.Johnston@cwec.org.uk