Regeneration for North Staffordshire remains a top priority for me.  Regeneration means many things. It can mean regeneration of our skills, it can take the form of improved public services or infrastructure, or it might mean investment in our rural areas, towns and cities in the Potteries.

I would like to keep readers up to date with recent changes which are shaping our local area. A new North Staffordshire Regeneration Board has been set up, chaired by the elected Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent. Tom McCartney is the lead officer and he is working with all of the local councils; Staffordshire Moorlands as well as Newcastle.  Mr McCartney is tasked with bringing together a whole range of partners who we need to get on board in order to make regeneration work for all of us.  Voluntary organisations, universities and colleges, house builders, and local businesses all need to be involved and must see themselves as equal partners.

So I was pleased that last week the North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce decided to take its patrons on an away day to Westminster.  They were all keen to talk about where they could contribute to the changes which are underway in North Staffordshire. I was impressed by the commitment that so many local businesses have to the area and to developing it for the better.

While there, they were also joined by Ian Pearson.  He is the Minister at the Department for Universities, Innovation and Skills, responsible for making Britain more competitive by increasing the degree of innovation used in our businesses. Our area was made famous by the innovative designs and technologies in our ceramics.  We now need to do what we can to bring that same innovation to the other industries that are moving to the area.

Ian Pearson spoke about the ingredients that are needed in order to make a business successful in the face of a rapidly globalising economy.  It really came down to skills.  From technical expertise, through to management and leadership – this is what is at the heart of ensuring that we have a healthy business sector and good jobs here in North Staffordshire. Ian was also keen to listen to people’s experiences with such schemes as Business Link, or the Manufacturing Advisory Service. I know that these Government schemes have been invaluable to budding entrepreneurs, and to established businesses alike.  But I also know that Government has to be smart about where it targets its efforts and limited resources to help bring enterprise to North Staffordshire.

It is also worth pointing out that enterprise is very much the flavour of the month. Having won the national enterprise award, the North Staffordshire entry is now a hot favourite to win the European award.  So I would like to publicly pay my respects to two constituents; Peter Cook and Helen Cook who have been an inspiration to so many connected with this bid. Helen is owed a special debt on her account of her stunning enterprise work with primary school children and thanks must also go to Port Vale FC for their support of her.

If you live in Stoke-on-Trent North and have any thoughts or comments about regeneration and Government plans, then please be in touch.  It really is a big part of what I am working on and I am always happy to hear from constituents.