Stoke-on-Trent City Council has confirmed that it is to replace its troubled renewal body with a Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), just days after the council’s director of regeneration, Tom Macartney, announced his departure.
The council said that forming an LEP rather than continuing with the current NSRP [North Staffordshire Regeneration Project] partnership will provide the area with more opportunities for future funding.
Mohammed Pervez, leader of Stoke City Council, said: “We are currently looking to pursue a Local Enterprise Partnership for Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire and are working with partners on how this will take shape.
“The new LEP model follows the government’s decision to abolish regional development agencies, such as Advantage West Midlands, in favour of supporting the role of local authorities and businesses as the key leaders of economic development.”
The NSRP – which is responsible for spearheading £1.5bn worth of major projects in Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands – was dealt a recent blow by the departure of partners Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.
The council announced last Thursday that regeneration director and managing director of the NSRP, Macartney, is to leave his role at the end of September.
Darren Jones, development director at the NSRP, who worked closely with Macartney has also resigned. It is believed he will join Oldham Council.
lisa.pilkington@estatesgazette.com
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