Derbyshire Chamber welcomes the agreement to bid for a two county Local Enterprise Partnership

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The Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce welcomes the decision to bid for a private sector led cross-county Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to fill the vacuum that will be left by the Government's announcement of intention to close the East Midlands Development Agency.

Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce has been actively promoting the establishment of a Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire LEP and is pleased to learn that the Leaders of Derby City, Derbyshire County, Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Councils have written to Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Business Secretary Vince Cable commending such a partnership and signalling their intention to develop a detailed business case.

The two counties share common businesses, supply chains and workers. The LEP will provide strategic leadership on establishing local economic priorities at a difficult time with public expenditure cuts and the need to encourage the growth of the private sector necessary to exploit new market opportunities and technologies.

Businesses and higher and further education, in particular, must play a key role in the driving this change through the LEP. Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber recognises the importance of working with neighbouring areas, especially where there are important clusters of businesses and where there are common interests.

Richard Wilkins, President of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber, said: "The LEP must be cost effective, business focussed and innovative to create the conditions for business and enterprise to flourish in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. The Chamber will continue to work with partners to develop a dynamic new partnership."

"The Chamber will continue to consult with the wider business community about the support that is needed and the barriers that need to be overcome to create jobs and wealth in the private sector."