Businesses across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent will have a voice on a national level through a new joint committee being set up.
Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council will take on the responsibilities of the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership when its operations end in April.
It includes the running of the business advice and guidance organisation, the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub, the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Careers Hub and the newly formed Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP).
The LVEP is one of just 40 in the country and aims to grow and sustain the tourism and hospitality sector locally, regionally and nationally.
Current LEP funds will be transferred to the county council and ringfenced for the growth hub, careers hub and LVEP, with any decisions on their use being made jointly by both councils.
Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: “Through our new joint committee we will also be a strong voice for businesses across our area, with a focus on securing funding for infrastructure development and future economic growth, both from government and private investors”.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Jane Ashworth said: “We are keen to ensure this new chapter in the way we work with the county council and businesses across the city and county will result in a stronger local economy and increasing opportunities for local people to benefit.”
