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Businesses back One NorthEast

Regional businesses have banded together to tell a group of MPs that the North East must keep its regional development agency.

The North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC), which represents more than 4,500 businesses, has voiced its support for One NorthEast as the region’s strategic economic body following a parliamentary inquiry into Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) around the country.

NECC’s response to the parliamentary inquiry emphasised One NorthEast’s role in the economic regeneration of the region but stressed that it should remain a strategic body and should delegate delivery to sub-regional levels.

James Ramsbotham, chief executive of NECC said: “We are making it clear that the North East business community is thoroughly supportive of One NorthEast as a strategic economic development body.

“It makes sense to consider how One NorthEast could be reformed to improve its connection with businesses and deal with new planning responsibilities. But this must not prevent it from maintaining its focus on reaching the ambitious goals in the Regional Economic Strategy.

“In fact, Government should give One NorthEast greater freedom to pursue this by removing unnecessary responsibilities, resisting any more raids on its budget and loosening Whitehall control on board appointments.”

This inquiry also comes at a point where the role of One NorthEast is under review as part of the Government’s Sub National Review though it is unclear how a potential Conservative government would reorganise the RDAs.

NECC warned of the dangers of ‘mission creep’ and called for the role of One NorthEast to remain clearly defined as a strategic body responsible for economic development only.

The response warned that ONE’s role could be stifled if the planning system is not streamlined to enable important developments to take place.

NECC did, however, call on One NorthEast board members to develop better, more effective links to the wider business community to aid greater understanding of broader economic issues in the region.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .