Member Article

20 more city deals

Twenty further areas have been shortlisted for the second wave of “city deals” from the Government.

Making the announcement from London’s Mansion House, the Deputy Prime Minister outlined plans to afford some local authorities more autonomy in their ability to set and spend budgets.

The new areas include: the Black Country, Brighton and Hove, Coventry, Cambridge, Hull, Ipswich, Leicester, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Oxford, Portsmouth and Southampton, Plymouth, Preston, Reading, Southend, Sunderland, Stoke, Swindon, Bournemouth and Poole and Tees Valley.

Rhian Kelly, CBI Director for Business Environment said: “Giving cities the opportunity to bid for greater planning powers and autonomy over training and skills budgets should encourage investment in critical local infrastructure and help plug skills gaps.

“With three-quarters of the UK’s business activity taking place in and around cities, they are hubs of economic activity. These deals will givecities real powers and resources which, if implemented well, will help to regenerate local economies, stimulating private investment and growth.”

North East Chamber of Commerce director of Policy, Ross Smith, said: “The North East is a huge asset for the UK economy but has the potential to deliver far greater economic returns. These deals will give two more parts of the region the chance to demonstrate that.

“The local authorities and the business community have worked together to present compelling bids to Government showing how greater investment and flexibility on policy can produce faster growth, more jobs and more wealth.

“These two City Deal bids included some hugely exciting elements and it is excellent news that they join Newcastle as successful regional bidders, let’s keep the momentum going and ensure they progress rapidly.”

On the success the Tees Valley bid, managing director the Tees Valley Unlimited LEP, Stephen Catchpole, said: “We are of course delighted that our bid for City Deal status has been recognised as a vehicle for change.

“It is a real opportunity for local decision making to unlock local potential and is a clear indication from Government that TVU’s ambitions and objectives for Tees Valley can deliver the growth, investment and jobs that are required.

“Over the coming months we will take part in discussions with Government to agree the tools and resources they will devolve to enable us to support our existing industries and grow our emerging sectors.
“The City Deal complements successes with Regional Growth Fund and across the Tees Valley Enterprise Zone and further boosts Tees Valley Unlimited’s capacity to deliver a strong and sustainable economy for the people who live, work and look to invest here.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .