David Ralph, D2N2 LEP Chief Executive
“Funding is being passed down from central government to LEPs and robust governance has had to be put in place to ensure that is spent correctly. This is not small amounts of money, even in the present climate, and with it comes a huge responsibility to spend it appropriately.
“But although this money is important, there is still a need to work continuously in partnership with others in order to leverage additional money from Government. That is a key challenge.
“We can never settle, we have to strive for more and for better all the time in everything we do to ensure we drive forward economic growth in the D2N2 area.
“We are a partnership, not an agency – working with others is our core.
“In a year’s time we will have made a strong case to Government for increased investment to support new jobs, new skills and new infrastructure. We will have a key route map of how this funding will be applied to get the right outcomes.
“This is a special part of the country, with some of the leading companies in the world, the best universities and real environmental treasures when it comes to the visitor economy, like Sherwood Forest and the Peak District.
“Local Enterprise Partnerships are being given a chance to shape their own local economy and here within D2N2, I am determined to make sure that happens.
“And at our Growth Plan Launch on July 9, I will get the chance to set out that vision and how we are going to achieve it.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity for the area – one we have to grasp with both hands.”
