§ Mr. Frank CookTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the implications for the business community in the Teesside area of the division of Cleveland into four unitary authorities; and what guidance he has issued as to the maintenance of important business support services, such as the Cleveland European advice team. [25223]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorThe Local Government Commission for England, in its report on the future local government of Cleveland and Durham, recommended that the four new unitary authorities, plus Darlington, should work together in the setting up of a strategic alliance—Tees Valley Development Company—in relation to economic development and other activities. This will include private sector members and has been warmly welcomed by bodies such as the Northern Development Company and the business community on Teesside.
The future of business support services now lies with the newly created Business Link Teesside and its partners, which began operations on 10 April 1995. Partners include all the local authorities, the TEC, the chamber, NDC, Teesside Small Business Club, university of Teesside, and local development and enterprise agencies.