Jonathan Browning, chairman of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “All three of the region’s LEPs recognise the need to accelerate the economic growth of our region and therefore welcome the Statement of Intent to work towards creating a Combined Authority.
“The three LEPs have made massive strides for their areas through putting the private sector at the sharp end of decision-making, and that collaboration between the private and public sector should continue into the future and must be a key element of any Combined Authority.
“We have offered to support preparation of the business case for the Combined Authority and to prepare detailed Strategic Economic Plans (SEP) – based on work underway at all the LEPs – which will clearly establish the economic and investment priorities for a future Combined Authority. Moving forward the preparations for the Combined Authority must be firmly based on today’s evidence, a clear understanding of the challenges for this area, solid research and impactful recommendations.
“While we welcome the Statement of Intent, it is essential that the metropolitan authority leaders now make it a top priority to gain the full commitment of all our local authorities across Coventry and Warwickshire.”