Business leaders gather for event

More than 150 business leaders from the West of England gathered in Weston-super-Mare for an important business event.

‘Shaping the future of the West of England LEP’ was held in the town’s Winter Gardens and hosted by the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Colin Skellett, who is chair of the LEP, comments: “The four unitary authorities and business are already working closely to ensure that the West of England is the most attractive place for inward investment in Europe.

“We are number one in this country outside London. Today is about building on those strong partnerships.

“We had a useful discussion with the new mayor [of Bristol, George Ferguson] and there was clear recognition by all of the value of working together.”

Vice chair of the LEP and Leader of North Somerset Council, Cllr Nigel Ashton, also comments: “We are committed to working together and see eye to eye on the bigger picture.

“Although the four unitary authorities all face very significant financial challenges, we are keen to protect services and work closely to mitigate the impact. We took the opportunity today to reaffirm that we will work together wherever it makes sense to do so.”

The LEP was established in October 2010 and is business-led with equal representation on the LEP Board between the public and private sectors, with strong involvement from local business, the authorities, higher and further education.

It supports business growth and is working to attract new jobs to Bristol, Bath and Weston-super-Mare – and the surrounding countryside.

LEP partners are working together to support the creation of 95,000 new jobs by 2030 and 3.4% annual growth by 2020; as well as delivering over £1 billion of private sector investment over the next three years.

Find out more about the LEP and its aspirations for the West of England at http://www.westofenglandlep.co.uk