We are one North-East but don't compare us to the RDAs, says North East LEP boss

PAUL Woolston has signed up for another three years as chair of the North East LEP, but he is already looking forward to the day when both he and the LEP are redundant.

Sunderland-born Mr Woolston heads-up the body that leads regional development across County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Northumberland. A separate body, Tees Valley Unlimited performs the same role, albeit with its own strategy, for the south of the region.

The Coalition Government, which launched LEPs in 2011 as a replacement for regional development agencies (RDAs), is gradually handing them more spending powers. This is despite opponents of LEPs saying they are being asked to drive inward investment, create jobs and boost skills on the cheap.

DO you get sick of being compared to regional development agency (RDA) OneNorthEast?

“I can’t blame people for making the comparison, but I think it is flawed.

“I think the RDA had 300 staff. We have four full time employees.

“That will grow but I’d be amazed if it’s ever 30 people, never mind 300.

"For me it is about having enough people to facilitate projects rather be this big organisation which delivers them too.

“The business people on the board are a part of the success of the LEP but they have probably done more than they signed up to do.

“I don’t want our LEP to compared to other LEPs, and I certainly don’t want it to be compared to RDAs.

“What I want the LEP team to be compared to the Goldman Sachs or Microsoft development teams. What we want is some really enthusiastic, motivated and bright people who believe in our region and want to make a difference. For some that might mean they only work with us for six months. That is fine. I would like more resource, but I don’t lose any sleep over it.

“We ought to focus on what we have achieved.

“Our strategic economic plan and the Adonis Review is unique. We now have a plan for the region which is based on the highest quality independent research, evidence based, that is tailored to the North-East, its history, and what it needs for the future.

“The numbers we are talking about are big. We have been successful, but it’s in a different way to the RDA.”

“As we go forward we will need to strengthen the team. The big challenge on delivery is not for us, it’s for the region to access the funding and drive out the results we want.”

SHOULD we have one person – such as a minister for the North-East - to be a figurehead for regional development, rather than leave it to council chiefs and business leaders?

“I don’t mind the idea of a minister for the North-East, but I don’t think they should be responsible for setting the strategy.

“That should be done locally in the way we are doing it. Simon (Henig) as chair of the combined authority has an important role to play, as does Paul Watson as Chair, Association of North East Councils. So, we do have collective voices.

“Now, this is a completely personal view. I’m not speaking on behalf of the LEP board. I like the idea of an elected mayor for the North East LEP.

“It would provide a single voice that could be heard at Westminster and more widely. There is no doubt when you look, say, at Boris Johnson, or in a different way Alex Salmond, they have been hugely successful in providing that voice.

IS it a job you would fancy?

“No. Not a chance.”

DOES it concern you that the LEP is largely unknown by the people in the region?

“I am not about promoting the LEP. What matters is promoting the region. If people don’t know what the LEP is I am relaxed about that.

“When I think about the North-East, I think about Middlesbrough, Darlington, the Tees Valley as all being part of it.

“When we were talking to the Communities Minister (Brandon Lewis) about innovation strategy we talked about the region’s five universities. We mentioned Teesside University as much as the others.

“My personal view – again this isn’t a LEP board comment – is that I would prefer it if we had one LEP for the whole region, which includes Tees Valley. But I fully respect Tees Valley’s view on why it wants to be separate.

“If you meet anyone in a pub in London and they are from Middlesbrough or Hartlepool they would say they were from the North-East wouldn’t they? We are one region.”

ARE LEPs here to stay?

“I’m convinced both parties (Labour and Conservative) are committed to it. I am equally convinced that LEPs will be abolished at some point.

“I think it will be great for our LEP that we make ourselves redundant. That is an objective. If we are successful and the region adopts the strategy fully you wouldn’t really need a LEP.

"If you look at successful regions around the world that have set a long term strategy, people have bought into it, it’s in their DNA – the region does it without being prodded. We are some way off but that is where I want us to be.”

WHY did you agree to stay on as chairman?

“I think we have achieved a great deal.

“The first phase is we have our strategy in place. The LEP is established and it has gained respect. The next phase is to ensure that the region buys into and delivers the strategy. But in terms of good governance you need to think about succession planning. I will be here up to three years. I stress the ‘up to.’ If somebody could do a better job before then I would be happy to hand over the reins.

“It’s a much bigger job than I envisaged, but I relish the challenge.

“I am very fortunate that Helen Golightly has taken the role as chief operating officer. She played a key role in the Growth Deal and will play an even more important role as we go forward.”

WE hear conflicting reports about the health of the regional economy. Where do you stand?

“I am an optimistic person and I think we can afford to feel a bit better about ourselves. The region is in a really good place.

“Over a long period we have been knocked down. That has given us resilient and a sense of humour, which is great. We also have a lot of humility. I like that. But I think just now we can be self confident. I'd hate us to be arrogant. Some of the evidence for that is how others perceive us.

“The Growth Deals (announced by the Government on July 7) were a great vote of confidence in the region.

“In the past we have had a reputation for asking for hand-outs. The Growth Deal isn't about that. It is about backing a winner.

“We got the third highest allocation in the country. That is because the government recognises that in terms of economic growth this is a place you should invest in. We are the most productive place in the country; we're creating jobs faster than elsewhere; the only region with a positive balance of trade.

“Where else would you invest other than the North-East?"