ALTHOUGH born in Northamptonshire, having lived and worked in North-East for 35 years, I see myself as a Northerner.

But with the recent announcement regarding a Local Economic Partnership (LEP) for Tees Valley and another for the north of the region, it would appear that yet again I am a Southerner.

The five local authorities in Tees Valley and businesses have worked closely for a number of years, so it is not surprising that there was a compelling case for an LEP, which has gained approval.

As a sub-region, although small in number with a population of 650,000, the Tees Valley has a future to play as key partner in North-East and as part of UK Plc.

The Tees Valley has the largest petrochemical/ energy/bio-fuel/advanced engineering complex in the UK and it is estimated that this adds some GVA of £10bn per year. Furthermore, 60 per cent of the UK’s chemical exports are from the Tees Valley and worth £15bn per annum. As an area therefore, we have a number of strategic assets which will help the Tees Valley grow over the years. It is vital that we use these to their maximum benefit to ensure that those areas in the Tees Valley most likely to be affected by the public sector cuts see growth in the private sector.

Given the time pressure involved with meeting the coalition’s deadline for submission of the LEP bids, there have, unfortunately, been some misunderstandings and consultation may not always have gone smoothly. We now have an outcome and know the base from which we start. Past differences must be put aside. As a business community, we must work even more closely with the local authorities and the universities and colleges to ensure that the opportunity provided by the Tees Valley LEP is utilised and does not become yet another talking shop.

Furthermore, the recent LEP announcement confirmed the creation of the North-East Economic Partnership.

This will help co-ordinate activity, north and south of the region in respect of inward investment, innovation, sector development, European Regional Development funds, access to finance and, in respect of strategic input, to energy and transport infrastructure proposals.

The aim must be for a strong and vibrant partnership working alongside a strong and vibrant Tees Valley LEP for the benefit of us all.

■ Chris Beaumont is the North East Chamber of Commerce Tees Valley committee chairman.