Last month I attended the official launch of the Leeds City Region pilot programme at the Harrogate International Centre, along with business and political leaders from across Yorkshire, including Bradford.

The Partnership brings together 11 local authorities from Leeds, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Wakefield, Barnsley, Harrogate, Kirklees, Selby, York and North Yorkshire, as well as businesses and universities from these areas – everyone linking into the same agenda for economic growth.

Leeds City Region is one of only two such pilots in the UK which will have central government powers for delivering housing, regeneration, innovation, transport and skills – allowing the Partnership to target money where it feels it is most needed.

The recession may have been global in its origins, but the effects have been felt in Bradford and region-wide. The city region pilot will play a crucial role in tackling the fall-out from the downturn and making sure we are ready to seize the opportunities opening up as the recovery begins.

Leeds City Region has a population of more than three million with 100,000 businesses and a £47bn economy. Some may question how a Partnership like this that covers such a vast area can benefit Bradford, but it will ensure the city has the transport links needed and regeneration continues in the city – and we will push hard to ensure Bradford is high on Leeds City Region’s agenda.

The event saw the launch of two new plans; the Leeds City Region’s Housing & Regeneration Strategy, which will look at regenerating major brownfield areas in Bradford, Leeds, Kirklees and York; and the 20-year Transport Strategy to address transport challenges.

Ultimately, all Leeds City Region partners need to work together to decide how the city region pilot can effectively contribute to future economic growth. But with the Partnership working closely together, having more control over how and where money is spent across Leeds City Region, we will have more control of our destiny.