THE Mersey Partnership (TMP) will today seek to persuade its private sector members to support its bid to become one of the Government’s planned new Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs).

TMP’s business membership will be asked to consider what they would like to see from, and how they would like to get involved in, a new Local Enterprise Partnership for the city region at an event today.

The new LEPs will be responsible for setting out a clear vision and strategic priorities for local economic development.

The Government has not set in stone what form any LEP should take, but, at the time of the emergency Budget last June, it invited outline proposals from local authorities and other agencies who would like to form an LEP to be submitted by September 6.

TMP is currently responsible for inward investment marketing and tourism in the Greater Merseyside area.

Rod Holmes, chairman of TMP, said: “The Liverpool city region is a distinct economic area. During the past 14 months, we have restructured working relationships with other organisations and have involved many more private sector leaders. We are now focused on specific opportunities for economic growth”. He added: “Decisions on the form and function of a Liverpool city region LEP are yet to be taken. Today’s forum, and others, will gather private sector views to share with the six local authorities on the city region cabinet.”

The Government sees LEPs as part of radical reform of the country’s arrangements for economic development, replacing the existing system of regional development agencies. TMP is likely to face competition to be the region’s LEP from Liverpool Vision, currently responsible for economic development and business support in Liverpool.