Business needs a Council of the North

ICE – one of the UK’s leading chartered institutions, which advises government on infrastructure and construction policy – says in a new report that devolution of power on some issues needs to happen if the Northern Powerhouse is to really drive economic growth and bring jobs and prosperity.

Darrell Matthews, North West regional director of the Institution of Civil Engineers, said: “To turn the Northern Powerhouse into reality we believe we need a Council of the North, and it must truly represent the North. It needs input from Lancashire County Council and local authorities throughout the county, as well as business leaders from the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership, to help make it properly representative and bring in the right experience and business knowledge.

“We need the whole of the North working together on a properly-coordinated strategy, to make sure parts of the region don’t get left behind.”