Political and business leaders met to discuss devolution in Leicester and Leicestershire at a special panel discussion moderated by George Oliver. 

The 1284 Communications managing director was invited to moderate the event, organised by Leicestershire Business Voice in collaboration with East Midlands Chamber.

An audience of business leaders from across the city and county were at MIRA Technology Park to seea range of questions put to:

• Cllr Pip Alnatt (Leader of Melton Borough Council and representing Leicestershire's borough and district Councils)
• Sir Peter Soulsby (Leicester's City Mayor)
• Cllr Dan Harrison (Leader of Leicestershire County Council).

The trio were in agreement that Leicester and Leicestershire would benefit from a combined authority led by an elected mayor, and that ongoing disagreement around Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) was preventing the preparation of a unified proposal to be put forward to government.

Various discussion and points raised by businesses were captured, to allow for the preparation of a White Paper outlining what businesses want to see front and centre of the region's devo plans.

George said: “I was encouraged that everyone recognises there needs to be a combined authority and a regional Mayor. 

“The challenge now is making sure that happens as swiftly as possible - so that Leicester and Leicestershire remain competitive and positioned to build on the progress of recent years.

“One thing everyone seemed to be in agreement with is that we need to move at pace. Hopefully that momentum carries through with the White Paper and further discussions.”

George moderated the leaders in conversation with a panel including: 

• Iain McKenzie – COO, Mattioli Woods; LBV Board Director
• Richard Osborne – Director, Excello Law; Lead for Leicestershire REIF, MIPIM, Leicester Business Festival; Director of Team Leicester
• Angela Orton – Owner, Structural Adhesives; King's Award for Enterprise recipient
• Sarah Windrum – Head of Cluster Development, MIRA Technology Park
• Kevin Harris – Chair of EMC; former Chair of Leicester and Leicestershire Economic Partnership; consultant and business owner.

Leicestershire Business Voice Chair, Sue Tilley, added: “This was an important discussion about devolution which everyone appears to recognise presents both an opportunity and a challenge.

“LBV exists to ensure the voices of businesses are heard and it’s essential that they are as we work towards a devolution deal that delivers positive and practical outcomes for our city and county.”

Yesterday's even followed an LBV leader debate earlier this summer on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).