Press
statement
30
June 2016
STATEMENT FROM POLITICAL AND BUSINESS LEADERS
IN LEEDS CITY REGION
Political
and business leaders from across the Leeds City Region met yesterday, Wednesday
29 June, to galvanise support for the City Region’s growing and resilient
economy, reinstate the value of diversity and cohesion in the community and
identify where opportunities could exist upon leaving the European Union.
Representatives
from the LEP, Institute of Directors, Federation of Small Businesses and the
Chamber of Commerce alongside university representatives and leaders of the
West Yorkshire Local Authorities, were united in the need to remain calm,
collected and cohesive following the outcome of the European referendum.
The City Region already boasts established
international trade links with an outward looking vision to grow the economy, a
reduced rate of youth unemployment, growth in the number of businesses faster
than in the UK as a whole and it remains an attractive location to potential
investors with investment onsite or in the development pipeline totalling over
£10bn. The overwhelming message from the meeting was of reassurance that the
public and private sectors are working together to maintain stability in the economy
and ensure the north is not left behind as result of this vote.
There was
agreement that devolution has an even greater role in advancing the Northern
Powerhouse agenda. Local politicians commended the high quality of front line
services that have been maintained despite previous cuts of around 40% to local
government funding. At the same time as wanting to advance the Northern
Powerhouse agenda, those in attendance noted further cuts to public sector
spending would undermine this initiative.
They also recognised
the opportunity for the City Region to grasp the Northern Powerhouse agenda,
ensuring the government upholds its ambition to address years of under investment
in the north and ensure initiatives are led by those who understand local
pressures and opportunities.
As a
result of the meeting, clear actions have been identified to look at the
economic and social implications on the Leeds City Region economy and develop
joint initiatives in line with the recently launched Strategic Economic Plan. Public
and private sector representatives are establishing a task group to address the
short-medium term impacts and minimise any risks to economic growth and social
stability. The LEP and local leaders will be pressing the government for a
clearer timetable to implement devolution as quickly as possible.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The meeting on 29 June was attended by:
Cllr
Judith Blake – Leader of Leeds City Council
Cllr
Peter Box – Leader of Wakefield Council and Chair of the West Yorkshire
Combined Authority
Cllr
David Sheard – Leader of Kirklees Council
Cllr
Susan Hinchcliffe – Leader of Bradford Council
Roger
Marsh, Chair of the LEP
Tom
Riordan – Leeds City Council Chief Executive
Bob
Cryan –University of Huddersfield
Rashik
Parmar - IBM
Joanna
Robinson – Mansfield Pollard
Ian
Cherry - Nexus
Ceri
Williams – University of Leeds
Sandy
Needham – Chamber of Commerce
Neil
Kendall – FSB
Richard
Crabtree – CEG
Natalie
Sykes - IoD
Ben
Still –West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Rob
Norreys – West Yorkshire Combined Authority
