Politics getting in the way of Lancs business
A Lancashire business chief has hit out at politics getting in the way of business in the county.
Frank McKenna, chairman of lobbying group Downtown Preston in Business (DPIB) and a former deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, has called for a reorganisation of the county's two-tier political structure.
He says he would prefer to see the two-tier planning structure – county council and borough councils – in Lancashire scrapped and replaced with a leaner decision-making body.
The private sector group chief said that Greater Manchester, which is comprised of ten metropolitan boroughs, showed how issues such as the 700m Tithebarn retail regeneration could be better handled.
He was talking, at DPIB's annual 6 In The City awards, held at Preston North End's Great Room, about the findings of its Lancashire Business Week events hosted this summer.
Mr McKenna said: "It is a wonder any decisions are taken at all in Lancashire. Including Lancashire County Council, there are 15 local authorities in the county. That is 15 chief executives, 15 planning departments and more than 500 elected councillors.
"We would prefer to see that restructured but recognise that we may have to work with what we have got.
He said that business and council bosses needed to "communicate and co-operate" better across Lancashire to maximise the opportunities available.
Six In The City Award winners:
Chairman's Award: The Barton Grange Group;
Marketing and Media Award: Write Angle;
Financial Services Award: Yorkshire Bank;
Professional Services Award: The St John's Buildings;
Best Bar/Restaurant Award: Vintage;
Best Newcomer Award: Recycling Lives;
Construction Award: Marcus Worthington Ltd.
For more from the event see the lepbusinessweek supplement, free in Tuesday's Lancashire Evening Post.
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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