LEP board unveiled as businesses air concerns
The shadow board which will oversee the formation of the new local enterprise partnership for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will include the four leaders of the city and county councils in the region, it has been confirmed. It will also include four business leaders - including one from each city and county; a business representative chosen by the chamber of commerce and a university representative.
The shadow board's chairman is to be chosen from the private sector representatives to "ensure it is business-led", it was revealed.
The board was unveiled at a meeting involving more than 160 business leaders in Nottingham which was hosted by the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce.
It is to oversee the initial phase of the LEP's formation prior to the election of its permanent board in 2011.
The meeting was also a chance for businesses to air their views on the new LEP.
They spoke of their hope that it will ensure ongoing support for small firms, entrepreneurs and start-ups; improve access to trade finance; protect firms against business crime and provide support for advanced manufacturers and technology companies.
There were also concerns over how the LEP can help business owners from ethnic minorities or those in disadvantaged areas and how it can promote inward investment and ensure local workforces had adequate skills.
George Cowcher, chief executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are extremely pleased with the progress made so far to establish a LEP for our two cities and counties, but the real work starts here.
“We want to create a powerful body which is strong enough to compete on a national scale and ensure that the voice of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire business is heard.
“Government has made it clear that there will be no resources going forward, at least for the foreseeable future, so it will be down to businesses, local authorities and our public and private sector partners to resource the LEP and ensure that it is capable of delivering to help drive local economic growth.”
