Solihull agrees approach to Local Enterprise Partnership
From Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Hedley on 23 August 2010
Solihull Council has agreed to submit a proposal with Birmingham Council and the businesses in both areas to form a Local Enterprise Partnership.
The Government announced plans for Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to replace Regional Development Agencies back in June, and invited councils to submit their proposals by 6 September. LEPs will be partnerships between businesses and local authorities who will work together to create the right environment for business and economic growth.
At a meeting of the Cabinet on Thursday (19 August) members discussed the options of joining a partnership with Birmingham or with Coventry and Warwickshire.
It was decided that a joint proposal for a Birmingham and Solihull LEP, would be submitted to Government before 6 September.
The business community in Solihull signalled its support for a Birmingham and Solihull LEP at a recent Visioning meeting held with Solihull Council.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Hedley said: “We made the decision to form a partnership with Birmingham as Solihull’s main economic assets – the airport, NEC, business parks and in the future, the high speed rail link are already linked to Birmingham. We also share strong transport and housing links.
“This infrastructure will be vital to the future development of our economy, so it makes sense to form a LEP with Birmingham that will allow us to capitalize on the strengths of Business and the two Councils to help put Birmingham and Solihull at the top, as a place to invest, innovate and do business.
“We are also committed to working closely with our neighbours and other LEPs in our region to improve the whole enterprise environment.”
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Email: juharrison@solihull.gov.uk