Leeds cities conference hears wide range of views
By Geoff White, Head of Public Policy and Communications, RICS North
In the sessions that followed Nick Clegg's announcement on City Deals at the IPPR Conference in Leeds today there have been some interesting comments from speakers and the audience.
Listed below are the session names and the headline comments next to them.
On the announcement - it will be very difficult for Whitehall to give up any powers and will councils be able to handle them.
On Leeds - few people are aware that Leeds is the third biggest city in the UK, and we don't shout about its attributes enough.
On the concept of Leeds City Region - does the city region need a 'brand' and how will that sit with Leeds, Bradford etc and indeed the Yorkshire brand itself.
On skills and education - you are more likely to achieve 5 GCSEs grade A to C in a deprived inner London borough that you are in most northern cities and towns. We are failing our young people
On economic growth - are we fixated on growth for its own sake and will it help struggling communities.
On the government's strategy - is this simply a way of transferring national debt into community debt!