A BOARD set up to help West Yorkshire’s economy recover from the Coronavirus lockdown met for the first time this week.
The West Yorkshire Economic Recovery Board – which brings together civic and business leaders from across the region – met via Zoom for the first time on Thursday.
With the latest economic intelligence compiled by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority indicating that around 300,000 people in the region may have been furloughed as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown, the Board discussed the coordinated local leadership that will be vital to tackling the immediate issues presented by the pandemic and working towards a longer term recovery.
The Board agreed three priorities that will drive a targeted recovery plan for the region: developing resilient and thriving businesses, boosted by innovation, high skills and entrepreneurialism; developing an inclusive economy that provides people with a decent standard of living; and promoting environmental sustainability in all parts of the region.
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The board includes the leaders of all five of West Yorkshire’s Councils, and is chaired by Bradford Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe.
It also includes representatives from the business and charity sector.
Following the first Economic Recovery Board meeting, the five leaders of West Yorkshire’s councils (Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe – Bradford, Cllr Tim Swift – Calderdale, Cllr Shabir Pandor – Kirklees, Cllr Judith Blake – Leeds and Cllr Denise Jeffery – Wakefield) issued a joint statement saying: “The economic impact of COVID-19 is like nothing any of us has experienced before and we thank all those who have joined our Economic Recovery Board and pledged their commitment to fight alongside us for the people and businesses of our region.
“Coordinated, local leadership will be vital to ensure that West Yorkshire emerges stronger from this crisis. Local government, business, public health, the police, utilities and transport all have a role to play in our economic recovery. By harnessing our collective resources and expertise, we can rebuild a stronger, fairer, more sustainable future for our people, businesses and communities.
“Our region faced longstanding challenges before this pandemic. Alongside the immediate need to safeguard the thousands of jobs and businesses affected by COVID-19, we must also use this crisis to build the kind of future to which the people of our region aspire.
“Working with our colleagues in the private sector, we must put in place the support to develop thriving, innovative businesses that will in turn create good quality jobs and give people a decent standard of living.
“We must also work with the Government, Transport for the North and transport operators to provide a clean, reliable transport network that enables businesses to resume trading and gives people the confidence to travel to work, school and healthcare safely.”
The West Yorkshire Economic Recovery Board will meet frequently to agree and implement an economic recovery plan for the region and provide a collective voice for the region to Government.
