Groups hit out at LEP draft

1
2004

Cornwall Council’s draft proposal for a Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has been dismissed by two Falmouth business groups as being too public sector orientated.

When the Government first set out its plans for the LEPs, it called for a strong business lead – something both the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce and Falmouth Business Club feel is missing from the Council’s proposal.

In a joint response to the proposal, the chamber says the LEP should represent all sizes and types of businesses in Cornwall, and not just the larger ones.

And it voices fundamental objections to the LEP being delivered by the Cornwall Development Company, which is wholly owned by the Council.

Instead, it calls for the LEP to be formed as a Community Interest Company, to ensure accountability.

The statement says: “Wide ranging inclusion and direct accountability is key to secure the success of the set-up of the LEP. We need an open and democratic way of appointing and removing the representatives and regular reporting will be critical to ensure the acceptance of the LEP by the widest cross section of the local communities.”

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1 COMMENT

  1. So two business groups want the LEP to be run by businesses. Hardly surprising considering all most business care about is their own profits…

    The council should have an oversight role in the LEP. It will be spending public money and there needs to be accountability.

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