Government Backs City Deal for Leicester & Leicestershire

Leicester and Leicestershire area is set to get a range of new powers and responsibilities under the City Deal programme, it was announced today.

The Government will devolve new responsibilities to give the area the flexibility it needs to attract private investment, close skills gaps and create new jobs.

The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council joined forces to put forward the ‘City Deal’ bid last November (2012).
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Under the scheme, the LLEP and councils will pool some of their land and budgets to achieve transport improvements and developments, in return for extra Government powers and control of funding.
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A series of negotiations will now take place with the Government to determine the details of the City Deal.
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LLEP chairman Andrew Bacon said: “This City Deal is a genuine opportunity for us to influence uplift in business growth and job creation.
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“Giving control to local authorities will ensure that delivery of economic growth schemes and how money is spent is managed on a local level, by those who understand the needs of the local area.”
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City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “I welcome this very positive Government announcement on the awarding of a City Deal for Leicester and Leicestershire.
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“We will now enter into detailed negotiations with the Cabinet Office to agree the support that can be provided on delivering the new employment and business opportunities I have outlined in Leicester’s Economic Action Plan.
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“I hope that the City Deal will give Leicester priority status to attract new Government grants in the future and look forward to working with my county and district council and LLEP colleagues to bring new investment into the area.”
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County council leader Nick Rushton said: “This bid could lead to significant changes in our area, such as unlocking and speeding up delivery of development.
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“This would help satisfy future growth needs of businesses and have a great impact on our construction industry and its supply chains, creating thousands of new jobs and apprenticeships.
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“I’m keen to work with the business community, the City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, and the district councils, to benefit the entire area.”

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