The Government’s announcement that the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward is to be scrapped has caused a great degree of uncertainty within the business community.

That should come as no surprise because the exact shape of the Local Enterprise Partnerships which will replace it has yet to be determined. Of course, this situation must not be allowed to endure for too long because that could be damaging.

But perhaps a little breathing space and a chance for people to reflect on what sort of future they want is no bad thing.

For instance, there are undoubtedly some areas, such as transport, where a regional approach can be helpful.

With some other issues, however, it is easy to see how a body solely representing Bradford, and made up of the right people, could speak more eloquently to Government on behalf of the district than any regional body.

It is, then, important that in looking beyond Yorkshire Forward, business leaders and politicians do not try to replace like with like. It should be possible to retain the best of the regional development agency approach and combine it with something new and more dynamic that is better able to stand up for this district.

What is important in all of this is that funds are fairly allocated to each LEP area and that the real movers and shakers within our business community accept the Government’s invitation to play their part in creating this brave new world.

Without the involvement of the most senior and most experienced business leaders, we will not have the quality and energy in these partnerships needed to help drive this area forward.