Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made (1) to the North East Local Enterprise Partnership over its lack of a chief executive since April last year, and (2) to the North East Combined Authority over its failure to establish an inward investment function for the region.

(1) The appointment of a Chief Executive for the North East Local Enterprise Partnership is a matter for the partnership.

2) The North East LEP (NELEP) and North East Combined Authority (NECA) have agreed to establish an “Inward Investment Gateway” to manage all inward investment activity. An Invest North East England Gateway Manager was appointed in July last year to provide a focused resource to work with partners to coordinate, develop and implement this work.

UKTI is providing dedicated resource for 6 months to NELEP and NECA to determine the best options for the Invest North East England delivery model. This will help develop a North East wide inward Investment strategy and implementation plan as well as identify structure, roles, and remit of the NELEP/NECA inward investment team in this important area of the country.