WHITEHALL

Mayor intervenes as auditors probe LEP

The Greater Cambridge and Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership (GCGPLEP) is causing the area ‘reputational damage,’ the region’s mayor has warned.

The Greater Cambridge and Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership (GCGPLEP) is causing the area ‘reputational damage,' the region's mayor has warned.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayor, James Palmer, has written to the LEP, suggesting the LEP could be merged with the combined authority.

The letter follows the announcement that the Government is withholding funding for the LEP while a National Audit Office investigation takes place.

Mayor Palmer said: ‘It is clear that GCGPLEP is no longer able to fulfil the purpose for which it was established, specifically to provide much-needed help and financial support for local businesses.

‘Furthermore, the current position is creating reputational damage and will inhibit the ability of the area as a whole to attract inward investment at a time when we face such a huge deficit in our infrastructure.

‘It is important that we provide leadership, and act urgently and decisively to restore trust, including that of the wider business community and central government.'

Deputy mayor for the combined authority, Robin Howe, added: ‘We envisage a future where the combined authority and LEP operate under a single umbrella, presenting ourselves to businesses and residents with singular ambition, objectives and delivery focus, while saving money for the taxpayer.'

WHITEHALL

Bridging devolved divides

By Toby Savage | 21 May 2025

Reflecting on Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority’s improvement journey, Elise Wilson, Cllr Ruth Dombey and Toby Savage say mayoral combined a...

WHITEHALL

'Mayors must focus on metropolitan areas' interests'

20 May 2025

The cross-party UK Mayors Group should remain as an urban collective as the Government actively expands the number of directly-elected figureheads, the mayor...

WHITEHALL

On the track to growth

By Ann McGauran | 20 May 2025

Steve Rotheram speaks to Ann McGauran about Liverpool City Region’s growth prospects, tackling the challenge from Reform UK, and the need for the Spending Re...

WHITEHALL

Ministers 'should expand devolution agenda'

By Joe Lepper | 19 May 2025

Ministers should expand their devolution agenda to give more powers to local government over rail firms, public funding and taxation, senior figures in the s...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman