Around 400 businesses are working with the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in 11 sector groups – a real sign of the willingness of the private sector to play its part, says LEP chairman Colin Skellett.
“We have had seen successes during the year, which have included the creation of the Enterprise Zone and the Enterprise Areas, which will be progressed in the next 12 months. They will play a big part in delivering our target of 95,000 new jobs by 2030,” he told the LEP's second annual conference at Bath's Assembly Rooms.
Mr Skellett (pictured) added: “Among our other priorities we will be working on improving our systems for attracting inward investment and make the case to Government for still more improvements to our transport infrastructure. But we are also doing a number of other positive things, such as supporting work to increase the number of apprenticeships, launching a scheme to provide grants for training in leadership and management and setting up a website to help businesses find vital sources of support."
Almost 200 people attended the conference including Greg Clark MP, minister for cities, decentralisation and planning, who drew particular attention to the high profile that Bristol and Bath had in the creative, financial, tourism and higher education sectors and told delegates that he believed the area could be a real motor for future growth.
He said: "I'm delighted that the local enterprise partnership has got off to such a strong start.”
Welcoming Mr Clark's support, Barbara Janke, Bristol City Council leader and vice chair of the LEP, said: “Ministers know we are well placed to deliver the Government's growth agenda. Colleagues in the LEP are looking forward to working with Government to play a key part in enabling the country to recover from recession."
