Local Enterprise Partnership boost for South Yorkshire

BUSINESS leaders have hailed the successful Sheffield City Region bid to create a replacement for Yorkshire Forward covering Rotherham.

The local enterprise partnership was one of 24 unveiled by Business Secretary Vince Cable today.

The new LEPs—charged with stimulating the economy outside London—will have less funding than the previous regional development agencies.

But Richard Wright, acting chief executive of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are delighted the bid for a local enterprise partnership for the Sheffield City Region has been successful because we thought it was a very strong proposal.

“We are now at the start of a very important process for this region because business wants to be engaged, and accepts its responsibility to help grow the economy regionally and nationally.

“Our LEP must be transformative, with an innovative and clear vision for local economic change, driven jointly by the private and public sector, delivering a fundamental shift toward private-sector-led growth.”

Master Cutler Bill Speirs said: “This will enable the region’s economy to be revitalised and offer people a great place to live, work, and visit as well as a fantastic place to invest.”