Member Article

Local authorities urged to prioritise North East growth

The North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) has urged local authorities to apply their efforts to growth in the local economy as a top priority.

The cities of Newcastle and Gateshead are working together on a “One Core Strategy” consultation, which hopes to implement better housing and infrastructure, and buttress the regional economy.

An economic survey, carried out quarterly by the NECC, has shown consistent rises in business confidence in the last few months, however the organisation warned that growth for the economy was still a long way off.

The NECC said aspiration and flexibility were key components for Newcastle and Gateshead to tackle challenges in the economy.

Head of Member Relations for the organisation, Jonathan Walker, said: “NewcastleGateshead is a major driver of the North East economy, providing employment for people across the region and supporting a diverse range of businesses.

“Given the current economic uncertainty, it is vital that a strategy retains enough flexibility to account for the inexact science of predicting population changes and demonstrates genuine aspirations for growth.”

Goals for infrastructure and housing were also a priority for the Chamber, and the NECC encouraged local authorities in the region to become more unified to achieve their goals.

Mr Walker continued: “Businesses are often frustrated as minor local projects proceed while regionally important routes remain constricted and struggle to cope with increasing volumes.

“NewcastleGateshead needs to both improve and expand its housing stock if the area is to meet its potential.

“New housing developments would also provide a much needed fillip for the region’s construction industry.

“The slowdown in house building has been one of the contributing factors to the sector’s current malaise.”

He went on: “The growth of NewcastleGateshead is reliant on the capacity of road infrastructure surrounding the area,

“We therefore urge the two councils to commit to working with the Local Enterprise Partnership on the effective prioritisation of projects and lobbying for the necessary funding.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .