New Business Board aims to make county more prosperous
A new business board whose aim is to deliver a more prosperous Lancashire has been welcomed by leading politicians following its inaugural meeting.
The Lancashire Business Board comprises of leaders from the county's foremost regional, national and international firms.
The independent board will work closely with Lancashire County, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool councils, whose leaders have welcomed the development.
Board members will help the councils build on existing work to deliver long term economic growth in the county by using their expert knowledge of the area.
The board is one of a number being set up across the country following Government guidance on the need to include private sector and employer views in local economic strategies.
One of the first actions decided by members at their meeting on Monday (July 15) was to write to the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner MP to demonstrate the board's support for devolution in Lancashire and the level 2 deal which is currently awaiting final parliamentary sign off.
During the meeting the board also voiced their support for Convention of the North 2025, which will be hosted by Lancashire County Council and held at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in Preston on February 27 and 28.
Phillippa Williamson, Leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "A vibrant business community which helps inform local authorities and Government is absolutely vital in ensuring our county's economy continues to grow and flourish.
"Members of the board will be able to draw on their own experiences to inform, stimulate and scrutinise the delivery of local policies intended to grow the economy.
"I know they will make a very important contribution and I very much look forward to working with the board."
Blackburn with Darwen Council Leader, Cllr Phil Riley, said: "Lancashire has been under achieving from a growth and skills perspective and we want to use the Level 2 Devolution deal to start to make up the ground on our neighbours with their Combined Authorities. The Business Board made up of significant Lancashire-based business leaders will help enormously with that mission."
Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council said: "It was great to be part of the first pan Lancashire Business Board meeting this week. "The Business Board's support for a devolution deal for Lancashire was very evident, particularly in the quick and decisive action that was taken to write to the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner MP expressing their support for such a deal.
"The expertise across the board is exactly what Lancashire and Blackpool need to help to grow our economy. We very much look forward to working with the board further."
Notes to Editors:
Business boards are being established across England, based on guidance from government which states that: "Private sector and employer perspectives can enhance local economic strategies and interventions, including shaping business, trade and investment support around local business and economic needs; providing challenge and insight on business impacts of public sector initiatives; and providing delivery expertise. It can also provide market credibility and a strong vehicle for leveraging match funding for public sector programmes and developing effective partnership projects to support growth."
The Lancashire Business Board consists of 17 members from leading businesses and organisations from all across Lancashire.
Graham Baldwin University of Central Lancashire
Miranda Barker East Lancashire Chamber
John Chesworth Harrison Drury
Jane Cole Blackpool Transport Service & NW Lancashire Chamber
Tim Conlon Terberg Environmental
Dave Holmes BAE Systems
Jeremy Hartley Eric Wright Group
Zuber Issa EG Group
Mo Isap IN4.0
Liz Moss Show Town
Babs Murphy North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
Mark Rawstron Investment Director
Kate Shane Merlin
Steve Williams Force Technology
Rachel Westray Westinghouse
Tim Webber Barnfield
Lauren Zawadski Deco Publique