Sykes signs deal to seize control of future

THE creation of Greater Manchester’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) will allow Oldham to take control of its own future.

Ministers say it grants the borough and its neighbours new powers to join with business leaders to create growth and new jobs.

Oldham Council leader Howard Sykes signed up to the bid by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) to become an LEP, which also gives Greater Manchester access to the £1.4 billion Regional Growth Fund.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “The knowledge and expertise of the private sector, local authorities and their local communities will be crucial as we work to create a better environment for business and ensure that everyone has access to the opportunities that growth brings.”

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: “We want to create a fairer and more balanced economy driven by private sector strength.”

AGMA chairman Lord Peter Smith said: “The LEP will build on our track record of proven success in developing partnership arrangements with business as we strive to continue to create the right conditions for continued economic growth in what will be a very challenging time.”

However, Labour attacked the plans. Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas said: “The North-West Development Agency, which is being abolished, was a powerhouse for our region.

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“The Local Enterprise Partnership cannot hope to replace it and power will, as it always does under Conservative governments, be sucked up to Whitehall.

“We already have a local partnership — we don’t need another one. We need money and power not another top-down re-organisation.” Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary, John Denham, said: “Just when growth and jobs are essential, the Government’s action so far shows they have no plan for regional growth.

“Regional funding has been cut by at least two-thirds, all key decisions are being centralised in Whitehall.

“The new Local Enterprise Partnerships are a shambles and leave areas of the country with no effective development organisation, and the voice of business is being ignored on everything from planning to investment and to skills.”