Member Article

Tees Valley City Deal bid ready for Government

Tees Valley’s bid for a City Deal takes a major step forward today (Friday January 11) as Tees Valley Unlimited publishes the first phase of its case to the Government.

The Expression of Interest by TVU, the Local Enterprise Partnership for Tees Valley, will be submitted to Government on 15 January. It sets out the area’s economic landscape and highlights the positive impact City Deal status would have.

Stephen Catchpole, Tees Valley Unlimited’s Managing Director, said: “We believe that, in collaboration with our partners and stakeholders, we have created a compelling Expression of Interest to ensure that Tees Valley has the best possible chance of being selected for the City Deal shortlist.

“A Tees Valley City Deal would give us greater control over our economic destiny and enhance TVU’s range of strategies to attract private investment, boost skills and create jobs.”

TVU’s Expression of Interest outlines how a City Deal would give it the ability to promote prosperity for the area and suggests possible targets for elements such as job creation and safeguarding, increased apprenticeships, increased exports and greater private sector investment.

All these targets will be subject to detailed negotiations with the Government following selection for the shortlist.

Mr Catchpole added: “There are numerous untapped opportunities within this area that a City Deal would allow us to harness and develop for the economic good of Tees Valley.

“It would give us greater control locally to exploit our strengths and tackle our barriers to growth and most importantly put into action the Tees Valley strategic plans that match the bold ambitions of this area.”

The proposals have the commitment of Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton Councils, the University of Teesside and the LEP’s private sector board members, including representatives from Sabic and PD Ports.

The Expression of Interest has also been endorsed by organisations including the North East Chamber of Commerce, the Confederation of British Industry, the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Business, EEF - the manufacturers’ organisation, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

A total of 20 areas have been invited to submit an Expression on Interest, but not all will be awarded a deal. A competitive stage will be followed by the announcement of a shortlist expected in Spring 2013. Individual City Deals will then be negotiated with final proposals agreed by November 2013.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Recognition PR Business Team .