23/09/13

Business leaders call for closer working relationship for the good of the region

Business leaders have called for authorities from Coventry and Warwickshire to ensure they are working as closely as possible for the good of the region.

The call came from businesses at a meeting with Izzi Seccombe, the new leader of Warwickshire County Council.

Seccombe, who was chosen as leader after the election in May, met with a dozen businesses from across the county at a special session organised by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

Seccombe said that cuts in council funding meant the authorities were working closer than ever with business, and looking at ways in which services could be delivered in partnership with the private sector.

She said:

“Just like business, we are having to be very innovative in the way we work because the scale of cuts means that there are bound to be gaps. That means delivering services in innovative ways and working closer than ever with the private sector. That is the day to day running of the council, but my other priority is ensuring that we keep developing a positive economy in Warwickshire that enables existing businesses to thrive, and also attracts inward investors. That involves a whole mix of factors such as the environment, transport, infrastructure and leisure. The balance has to be right. We do have to work very closely as authorities, because people live and work in both Coventry and Warwickshire.”

A wide range of issues including skills, transport, infrastructure, retail, the Local Enterprise Partnership and tourism were discussed by the group.

Amrik Bhabra, president of the Chamber, said:

“This was a really good session. It was the first time many of us had met Izzi, and it was valuable to hear what she had to say and for us to get our thoughts and concerns directly to her. To be frank, businesses do not really care where they operate in terms of local political boundaries and it is absolutely key that all the local authorities – who now work together on the LEP – are pulling in the same direction with the same aims. There are massive common interests for Coventry and Warwickshire – especially in areas such as tourism – and that must be reflected as much at local authority level as it is in the commercial world.”

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