UK: Birmingham Chamber Group (BCG) is attempting to form a cross-region Local Enterprise Partnership that would ensure a fair distribution of resources.

Jerry Blackett is advocating the creation of an LEP “super” group that would comprise Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Southern Staffordshire and North Worcestershire. He is seeking the views of business people in the region ahead of a meeting at Chamber of Commerce House on August 2.

LEPs are due to replace Advantage West Midlands (AWM) when the agency is scrapped by the coalition government and the budget for its successors reduced by 75 per cent.

The government wants LEPs to be business led and work with local authorities within “economic geographies” to create the right economic environment for enterprise.

Mr Blackett says that the challenge is for Birmingham and Solihull to create levels of trust with its neighbours. “Let’s be clear, the fear is that all the resources will be sucked into the Birmingham agenda.

“We have to give confidence to our partners to create a formula that says there will be a fair allocation of resources.

“Once the West Midlands is configured as a grouping of LEPs, there will still be a need for collaboration at a regional level. This could be provided by a committee of LEPs comprising business and local government representatives from each LEP.

“The Chamber’s event on August 2 will be a great opportunity for people to understand what LEPs are and to make a contribution on how they will function in Birmingham and the wider region.”

Source: http://www.birmingham-chamber.com/Influencing-Government/Latest-News/Press-Release.aspx

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