Member Article

LA7 will put North East on even footing with Manchester, say business body

Plans to join seven North East local authorities as one have been kick-started by the Cabinet Office, and the North East Chamber of Commerce have welcomed the move.

The business body say the plans to join Durham, Northumberland, Newcastle, Sunderland, North Tyneside, Gateshead and South Tyneside councils in a group known as ‘LA7’, will put the region on an even footing with other areas that have done the same.

The group will compete nationally for devolved funding and aims to unify the North East voice in Westminster.

Plans to progress the LA7 were stalled earlier this year as Sunderland City Council leader Paul Watson delayed his agreement and raised concerns about lack of clarity costs.

NECC chief executive, James Ramsbotham, said: “The North East business community recognises the importance of regional unity in our aims, economic priorities and ambition as the Government made it clear that resources and policy flexibility will only be devolved on the basis of effective governance arrangements beyond local authority boundaries.

“As such, it is fantastic to learn that Cabinet Office has begun the process that will see the creation of a Combined Authority, which will oversee strategic issues including transport, skills, inward investment and spatial planning.

“Our LA7 local authority leaders must be applauded for resolving the issues that had threatened to derail plans for the Combined Authority. The councils’ actions will ensure that the North East LEP area is on an even footing with the likes of Greater Manchester (which is already benefiting) and several other English city regions that are planning to do the same.

“With the right structures in place this area can maximise its significant competitive advantages and continue to set the pace nationally for economic growth, as it has done over the past few years.”

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