Northamptonshire to get new funds for growth as part of Government enterprise partnership
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A MAJOR economic boost for the whole of Northamptonshire is expected to be announced by the Government.
The Chronicle & Echo understands that Government officials are due to announce imminently that the whole county will be declared part of a new ‘enterprise partnership’.
The move will mean the county will be able to secure extra sources of Government funding to promote business growth and will have its voice heard on the national, and international stage.
It is expected the move would help boost the county’s motorsports industry as well as its distribution and logistics sectors.
Although an official announcement on the move had not been made by the Government as the Chron went to press last night, it is believed that a number of high-ranking officials in the county had been ‘tipped off’ that it was due to be confirmed soon.
Welcoming the expected announcement, the Conservative MP for Northampton South, Brian Binley, said: “This is really big news for Northamptonshire.
“It will give us control over our own economic destiny and means we’ll have got the resources to drive Northamptonshire forward. We want to attract at least 400 new companies to Northamptonshire and this will allow us to do that. I’m delighted the Government is going to give us the go-ahead for this, it will really allow us to push Northamptonshire forward.”
When Northamptonshire County Council’s cabinet met last week, the authority’s chief executive, Paul Blantern, confirmed that he expected the announcement to be made this week.
Discussing the aims of the proposals, he said: “Want we want is new jobs for Northamptonshire and a successful economy.”
The Government set up Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to allow councils, businesses and universities to tackle issues including housing, transport and employment. Northampton is already part of the South East Midlands LEP, which also includes Bedford Luton and Milton Keynes.
Already, the South East Midlands LEP has secured the creation of the Northampton Enterprise Zone, which is expected to bring thousands of new jobs to the town. The creation of the wider, Northampton LEP, has been backed by the seven borough councils in the county as well as the county council and businesses.
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Comments
There are 4 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
MrPowell
Friday, September 23, 2011 at 12:36 AMWe don't need to know this twice ! The website responded so slowly I submitted it again in case it hadn't gone the first time. I am well aware that the IKEA site is in S.Northants, but the message that refusal sent to the world is still the same.
Jabberwocky
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 12:04 PM....and we need to know this twice because? And for the umpteenth time, the land that IKEA was proposing to build on was NOT in the Borough of Northampton. It was South Northants Council that turned them down!
MrPowell
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 10:40 AMWe don' t need another injection of public money to promote business. I thought there was supposed to be a recession and cost cutting. Just a change of attitude is all that is really required. And a more positive and joined up approach to the future. Yes we want more companies to come, but not just any. We need to attract the kind of companies that will need a more highly qualified workforce, not just the kind of low-grade jobs that seem to have replaced the many long-established firms that have moved out or closed down recently. The proposed Enterprise Zone is a start. Refusing IKEA was stupid, because it sent the message that we don't want successful international companies to come. A bit of ambition is needed.Clear the messy bits of the town centre and allow forward thinking ambitious people to propose ideas that will make companies and their staff want to come to Northampton. Allowing our ambitious sports clubs to expand without hindrance would send a positive message to anyone wondering about the towns' intentions for the future. A conference and exhibition centre would go hand in hand with the prestigious firms that are supposed to be coming to the Enterprise Zone. An Arena or at least a large dedicated music and entertainment venue is also some thing that would make more people come in to the town. The shoppin Centre must be massively expanded and have a few more big names added to attract visitors and show that we are serious about the future. This could all be achieved by lowering the rates charged to aspiring developers for the foreseeable future. Northampton just needs to start saying YES to the world, not just to greedy housing developers.
MrPowell
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 10:38 AMWe don' t need another injection of public money to promote business. I thought there was supposed to be a recession and cost cutting. Just a change of attitude is all that is really required. And a more positive and joined up approach to the future. Yes we want more companies to come, but not just any. We need to attract the kind of companies that will need a more highly qualified workforce, not just the kind of low-grade jobs that seem to have replaced the many long-established firms that have moved out or closed down recently. The proposed Enterprise Zone is a start. Refusing IKEA was stupid, because it sent the message that we don't want successful international companies to come. A bit of ambition is needed.Clear the messy bits of the town centre and allow forward thinking ambitious people to propose ideas that will make companies and their staff want to come to Northampton. Allowing our ambitious sports clubs to expand without hindrance would send a positive message to anyone wondering about the towns' intentions for the future. A conference and exhibition centre would go hand in hand with the prestigious firms that are supposed to be coming to the Enterprise Zone. An Arena or at least a large dedicated music and entertainment venue is also some thing that would make more people come in to the town. The shoppin Centre must be massively expanded and have a few more big names added to attract visitors and show that we are serious about the future. This could all be achieved by lowering the rates charged to aspiring developers for the foreseeable future. Northampton just needs to start saying YES to the world, not just to greedy housing developers.
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