LEPs need to collaborate, says Hollis
Working together is "the way forward" for the West Midlands' LEPs, Insider has been told. Steve Hollis of the Birmingham and Solihull organisation said there were "too many LEPs" and collaboration was key to solving any future issues.
Hollis said: "I do think there are too many LEPs, and I'd welcome them merging on a wider regional basis. We worked with the Black Country LEP when Jaguar Land Rover chose it to base their new engine plant at i54 because we have strong links with the company and their base in Solihull.
"I think working together like this is the way forward for LEPs."
He added that LEPs probably only had limited shelflife, but that their success would determine what would succeed them.
"We're pioneering a new combination of business and political leadership," he said. "I don’t think LEPs will be around forever, but I think that if we're successful we can lay the groundwork for whatever more permanent body comes next."
Hollis said the LEPs' immediate strategy was to link the private sector with the politicians to "clear obstacles and create what's needed in Birmingham".
He said that he welcomed the demise of the regional development agencies but warned against direct government funding.
"Government funding can distort the market," he said. "What we're trying to do with the LEP is get political and private sector leadership together around a common agenda."
