Pictured above: Simon Topman
On the announcement by the new government of the potential
scrapping of regional development agencies, Simon Topman, chairman
of West Midlands Chambers of Commerce said: "West Midlands Chambers
of Commerce are very concerned that removal of the regional
development agencies (RDAs) will take away a vital component to
business development across the region."
"We need a regional voice and if indeed RDAs are to go, then a
powerful body capable of linking the disparate elements of our
region together, needs to be found."
The policy document published by the new coalition government
suggests that new Local Economic Partnerships could take the form
of an RDA.
But Topman says: "Advantage West Midlands has fulfilled its role
with success. It is high time we learn to recognise a
successful organisation and leave them in place to continue their
good work and not change them every few years just because a new
government arrives."
"Business needs consistency if it is to thrive. We should
remember the old American adage, 'if it aint broke don't fix
it'."
Pictured above: Jerry Blackett
Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Birmingham Chamber of
Commerce said: "We will be urging local authorities to retain the
best features of Advantage West Midlands in the Local Economic
Partnership, particularly the strategic perspective on regional
economic growth."
"We do think there are efficiencies to be found in abundance by
streamlining the unnecessary number of White Hall planted outposts
for central government functions.
"Combining agencies to share back office services, for example,
seems an obvious thing to do. However, that is not the same as
stripping out the capability to create and drive regional economic
priorities."