‘Time to be bold and create jobs’

The minister gave an address at Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s first annual conference at the Ricoh Arena last Friday.

The LEP was founded in January after the Government scrapped regional development agencies.

In a speech to hundreds of representatives from businesses, local authorities, colleges and universities, Mr Prisk called on entrepreneurs to focus “like a laser” on enterprise and removing barriers to growth.

He said: “You know what’s most important in your area. That’s why we have said to LEPs, be willing, be bold, be different. You set the priorities. Our job is to back you up as much as we possibly can.”

The minister said the Government’s aim was to simplify the tax system and promote innovation by putting £140 million into manufacturing and technology.

He cited a pilot scheme where one council was training its inspectors so they could deal with firms in a single visit.

Although he admitted money was limited he pledged “immediate” access to politicians and spoke about plans to streamline planning rules, stop ‘vexatious’ tribunal claims and increase the number of small businesses taking on apprentices.

National LEP Network chairman David Frost said business leaders understood the challenges that face local economies but partnership with the public sector was vital.

He called on the Government to stick to its planning reforms and criticised people in the media who speculated about double dip recession, saying: “Talk about it relentlessly and it will become self fulfilling.”

He added: “You are being given the role of developing private sector growth across England. You know what levers need to be pulled and what investment needs to be made.”

The partnership’s chairman Denys Shortt said LEPs allowed businesses to speak “at the very highest level”.

He identified planning rules, transport and infrastructure and lack of skills as barriers to growth, and called on Government to be brave in funding transport.

He said: “Our government has recognised that businesses are the backbone of this country and create all the new jobs. If you want decent services and a strong public sector you need to create businesses.

“We need business leaders to step up to the plate and drive for growth. We need public sector leaders to let that happen.”