A united voice for North - Nick Brown
Oct 20 2010 by Mike Hughes, Evening Gazette
AS THE announcement on Local Enterprise Partnerships looms, former Minister for the North East Nick Brown writes for the Gazette.
WE have got a problem. The new Government is abolishing the region’s Economic Development Agencies, and creating new ones with only roughly 30% of the money previously available.
It is essential that we stick together in the face of adversity and defend the livelihoods of our fellow citizens.
No region has done more to help itself than the North-east of England. Our economic growth rates were the fastest of any English region until the economic downturn struck.
The question facing us now is how best to respond to the Government’s new agenda.
Essentially our region is two conurbations, Tyne and Wear and Teesside, with an extensive and very beautiful rural hinterland including market towns with their own economic development issues.
From 2007 to the general election I was the Minister for the North East of England. I spent a lot of time on specific economic development issues in Teesside.
I took the view that I should step in and champion our region wherever I thought there would be a chance to make a difference.
I worked very closely with the leaders and chief executives of the Tees Valley borough councils.
It was clear to me that the culture of working together along the Tees Valley was further developed than in the rest of the region.
The Tees Valley local authorities were setting a good example in dealing with strategic economic development issues to the rest of the region.
It was also clear to me that there was a widespread suspicion on Teesside that calls for a single regional approach would mean a drift of investment, jobs and decision-making to Newcastle and Tyneside.
Being a Newcastle MP myself, I was and am very sensitive to this point. I understand it and did my best to deal with it by getting involved in the details of specific Teesside projects.
