Mark Garnier MP for Wyre Forest is very pleased to hear that the revised proposal to form a local enterprise partnership (LEP) in Worcestershire has been successful. Having considered the proposal, put forward by the Worcestershire LEP Shadow Board, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have confirmed that it sufficiently addresses the criteria needed to become an LEP. Mark Prisk MP and The Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, in letter addressed to the Board, praised the bid as "innovative". They also said they were "impressed by the commitment and ambition demonstrated".
LEPs are replacing the outgoing regional development agencies, such as Advantage West Midlands. The Government wants the new organisations to bring local business and civic leaders together to support the local economy, create new jobs and secure Government funding.
Mark said, "I am delighted that this second bid to form an LEP has been successful. It demonstrates that the Worcestershire business community is engaging well, especially when 350 organisations got involved. This is a terrific opportunity for businesses to be able to have a direct say on what they need to bring prosperity to the county and I look forward to being able to support them."
As Mark says around 350 responses to the consultation were received from organisations including trade associations, business groups, local authorities, universities and, environmental bodies, setting out their views on how the Fund can be designed to best meet the needs of local areas and communities. The Government's response to those views and further criteria for funding proposals will be set out in the forthcoming White Paper.