MORE devolution could be on the cards for the Leeds City Region, following a record cash settlement from the government, a business leader has predicted.
In his Christmas message, Roger Marsh, chairman of the business-led Local Enterprise Partnership, said winning £1 billion of funding represented an unprecedented transfer of funding by the government.
“It’s become clear that the unprecedented transfer of funding secured through our £1billion Growth Deal could be just the start of our devolution journey and 2015 looks set to continue the momentum we set in motion in 2014.
“I am a great admirer of the business guru, the late Peter Drucker, who once said ‘the best way to predict the future is to create it’,” said Mr Marsh.
Mr Marsh described 2014 as a momentous year for the LEP and for city region businesses with more than 3,000 jobs created this year as a result of LEP investment in 300 local companies.
A growing number of firms were taking advantage of LEP support to explore export opportunities, take on apprentices and invest in energy efficiency measures.
“SMEs are the backbone of our economy, making up over 99 per cent of the business population in the Leeds City Region. I look forward to working with businesses and partners in 2015 to continue to deliver a more prosperous Leeds City Region for all who live and work here; delivering ‘good growth’ through more and better jobs across the region,” he said.
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