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The Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership (GC GP LEP) bid has today (Thursday 28th October 2010) been given the green light to proceed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

Local Enterprise Partnerships have been created by BIS and the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) to bring businesses and the public sector together to tackle issues such as local transport and infrastructure, economic development, employment, planning and housing, enterprise and supporting business start-ups.

The GC GP LEP bid was one of only a handful of bids to be approved by BIS and CLG ministers, and the announcement comes on the same day as the LEP White Paper is published.

Leaders from local businesses, local authorities, universities and social enterprises submitted the LEP proposal to Government in September this year, based on the complementary functional economic areas of Cambridge and Peterborough, together with neighbouring market towns and communities.

The proposal submitted to Government expresses a strong willingness to grow. Across the area the LEP will work with businesses and local authorities to lead the areas growth to 100,000 significant businesses, the creation of 160,000 new jobs by 2025 and an internationally renowned low carbon, knowledge based economy. For Peterborough this will mean continued support for attracting new jobs, supporting local businesses and encouraging a more productive economy.

The specific details of the GC GP LEP will now be worked up in conjunction with government over the coming weeks.

Chair of the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership Project Board, John Bridge, commented: “Today’s news is clearly a very positive step as we collectively strive towards growth for our economic area. The publication of the White Paper will hopefully mean that we are in a position to truly drive our vision forward, and for local authorities, higher education and business to continue to work together to maximise the opportunities that this partnership will bring.”

Peterborough City Council Leader Councillor Marco Cereste welcomed today’s decision.

He commented: “This is excellent news. This agreement means that Peterborough, Cambridge and our other partners can capitalise on our complementary strengths to promote business and jobs growth. Peterborough’s strong environmental business sector and our commitment to substantial and sustainable growth offer attractive prospects for inward investors and provide a solid foundation for continuing economic success.”

Director of Economic Development for Opportunity Peterborough, Neil Darwin commented: “We are delighted to have heard the positive response from Government. We have managed to demonstrate the economic potential Peterborough and its sub region has in supporting economic recovery. In many senses we have completed the easiest task. We now need to ensure that Peterborough’s economic potential is fully understood and supported in this new relationship with Cambridge and Government”.

You can find out more and download the original GC GP LEP proposal at www.yourlocalenterprisepartnership.co.uk.