The 11 local authorities that make up the Leeds City Region Partnership have submitted a proposal for a local enterprise partnership to the Government for development with private sector partners.
This follows consultations with business and other interests in the city region and proposes taking on responsibility for strategy, funding, investment, planning and commissioning of economic development and regeneration activities.
The Government is hoping such partnerships will take on some of the functions of the regional development agencies when they are abolished next year.
Work will now begin on developing a detailed business plan and financial appraisal based on feedback from businesses and other interests.
The proposal says the LEP would lead a drive to sustainable economic growth and try to achieve:-
- a sustainable housing offer that responds to the needs of local populations;
- a workforce that has the skills businesses need;
- sustainable green infrastructure that supports economic development;
- growth of a range of key economic sectors including environmental technologies;
- a globally competitive economy in which businesses innovate openly, and universities operate co-operatively to support a growing and evolving business base;
- a sustainable and reliable transport system required by a globally competitive economy;
- an economy capable of attracting quality foreign direct investment.
It proposes integrated strategic planning, transport planning, housing strategy and regeneration.
It would support economic development, innovation and enterprise and co-ordinate activity to support low carbon, adaptation and green infrastructure agendas.
"It is our submission that our existing partnership arrangements present a viable model which we can adapt to deliver the Government's localism and economic agendas," says the proposal.
"As a cross-party partnership of local councils, the Leeds City Region Partnership is a locally-driven initiative that has enabled our local authorities better to deliver the real economic growth that is required for a sustainable economic future."
A more detailed proposal will be submitted later this year once there is a jointly agreed set of proposals and business plan.
Transition plans would be needed and a working group would be set up next year.
