RESIDENTS across North Yorkshire are being asked to share their views on how to shape future economic growth for the region.

The York, North Yorkshire and East Riding (YNYER) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has launched an online consultation for people to give their views on a major plan for growth.

Following an initial public engagement programme in 2019 which helped determine priorities, the LEP has now written a first draft of its Local Industrial Strategy.

The strategy, which will be submitted to the UK Government in March, will determine the next 20 years of productivity and growth across the LEP’s economic area.

Now, the LEP is inviting people to comment on the draft vision and help to shape the final document.

David Kerfoot, chairman of the YNYER LEP, said the strategy presents 'an unrivalled opportunity to reinvent and rebalance our economy'.

He added: “The valuable insight and views gathered through our initial public engagement phase helped build regional priorities that help address productivity challenges by recognising the region’s distinctive places and opportunities.

“We now invite people to continue this collaborative approach and help shape our final submission to government through a continued ground up, partnership led approach.”

Commenting further on the opportunity for the region, Mr Kerfoot added: “We need to make more of everyone’s potential to achieve a step change in our productivity.

"Ultimately, this will result in higher wages locally.

"We will do that by putting our people, their needs, well-being and potential at the centre of our approach.

He added: “What people want is business that is good – good for people, good for the planet and good for the growth and celebration of every place – whether that be the centre of a city, the deeply rural village or the small coastal town. We are creating a process to make that happen.”

To take part in the online survey visit surveymonkey.co.uk/r/J833ZWK.