What is the best option for growing local business enterprise?

THE GOVERNMENT is abolishing Yorkshire Forward the Regional Development Agency by 2012 and has invited local councils and businesses to work together to form local enterprise partnerships to promote economic growth and jobs.

There is a lively debate taking place over which model or models of partnership should be formed in Yorkshire.

Hull City and East Riding of Yorkshire councils believe that the starting point, which can build on the significant and growing amount of joint working taking place, would be a ‘North Bank’ local enterprise partnership covering the East Riding. Such an arrangement recognises the established economic geography that links the economy of Hull with the rest of East Yorkshire.

Lincolnshire councils and some maritime businesses meanwhile have backed the idea of a 'Humber-wide' partnership claiming the approach would have more depth than each authority vying for its own pitch and competing.

Other business leaders and councils have called for a wider 'Yorkshire Enterprise Partnership' to be formed in addition to any local model of partnership. Supporters behind the YEP idea argue that Yorkshire needs a bigger organisation to look after its interests at national and international level. Some functions, such as promoting the Yorkshire brand and tourism, are best carried out at a regional level.

The views of business are the key factor in this process and councils are consulting with and listening to the business community. The two local councils have jointly launched an on-line survey to give all businesses the chance to have their say. To give your views, follow the link to the survey below by 26th August 2010:

http://www.eastriding.gov.uk/corp-survey/snapform/localenterprisepartnership/lepproposal.htm

More about this story on HumberBusiness.com website.

Update on key meeting of Council leaders yesterday from The Business Desk: Councillors open door for YEP plan (may have to register to read full article).