Responding to today’s publication of the Industrial Strategy
White Paper, Cllr Martin Tett, the Local Government Association’s
Environment, Housing and Transport spokesman, said:
“The White Paper’s recognition of the crucial role of place is
encouraging. If we are to have a successful modern and globally
competitive economy, which enables everyone to succeed, it is
essential that the Industrial Strategy recognises the strengths
and opportunities that each area brings and the vital
contribution of local government.
“Council leaders are committed to working with business leaders
to boost productivity and growth, but if we are to play a full
part, we quickly need to develop a national regional aid scheme
to replace all existing EU regeneration funding and a devolved
approach to skills and infrastructure that ensures that every
local economy and individual has the potential to prosper.
“In particular, it is critical that all new skills initiatives -
including the advisory panels and national retraining programme -
join up across places, balancing national priorities with the
varying needs of our local communities and businesses. Councils’
efforts are essential in bringing this together.
“Local industrial strategies provide a fresh opportunity for
Government, business leaders, universities and local
councils to forge new, powerful relationships with each other,
for the benefit of local residents, as well as underlining the
need for new devolution deals across the country.
“Councils have a unique leadership role in developing local
industrial strategies – but they need to be able to draw on the
right powers and adequate funding to deliver successful and
inclusive economies.
“The review of Local Enterprise Partnerships is an important
opportunity to secure an even stronger partnership between
business and public sector leaders, and as key partners, it is
essential that councils across the country play a full part in
the review.
“It is encouraging to see the Paper state that investment
decisions need to be more geographically balanced and include
more local voices.There needs to be greater recognition of
councils’ wide role in boosting productivity that ranges from
civic leadership and plan-making to local infrastructure and
public health.
“While the White Paper rightly includes an ageing society as one
of its “Grand Challenges”, preventing sick days and lost
productivity due to poor health and lifestyle choices should be a
priority for any industrial strategy.”
