North East England's seven local authority areas beyond the Tees Valley have finally agreed to create a local enterprise partnership, bringing to an end fears that public business support in the region would be completely fragmented.
The Government has approved a partnership covering Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland, bringing the number across England to 28.
It joins the Tees Valley partnership approved late last year.
Initial attempts to replicate One North East across the entire region after its abolition foundered on the desire of Tees Valley authorities to go it alone.
But the mosaic of small LEPs for the rest of the region which could have followed has been avoided.
"This latest local enterprise partnership is a crucial one - completing the North East picture - and I'm pleased to give it the go ahead today," said decentralization minister Greg Clark.
"It is a testament to local ambition and ingenuity, and proof that central government does not need to micromanage. The ball is now in their court to work for the people of the North East, alongside the Tees Valley partnership."
But the LEP network still has a considerable way to go as 30% of England's population, 35% of its businesses and 32% of its employees live outside such areas.
