£70,000 Cash Boost for North London Alliance

An extra £70,000 is to be pumped into North London thanks to a cash injection from the London Development Agency (LDA).

The money has been awarded to the newly formed North London Strategic Alliance and will enable it develop a strategy aimed at boosting the economy as well as job and training opportunities in the region.

Members of the alliance include Barnet, Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest councils, Middlesex University, the Employment Service, the TG&WU, North London Voluntary Sector Forum, North London Chamber of Commerce, Nortel Networks, North London Business Alliance, London North Learning & Skills Council and the North London FE Colleges.

The funding forms part of a package designed to support partnerships that are working at "sub-regional" level. "Every part of London is different, with its own particular needs," says LDA chief executive Michael Ward. "We want to ensure that there are effective partnerships working together across the community in North London to bring people together to discuss important issues and work with us for the overall economic development of London.

This financial support is an important part of that process." David Plank, chair of the North London Strategic Alliance, adds: "I am delighted that the LDA has recognised the value of the work being undertaken by the North London Strategic Alliance. The money will enable the alliance to extend its work with North London and with key pan-London agencies."

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Notes to Editors: The LDA is the Regional Development Agency for London and one of the four functional bodies of the Greater London Authority. Established in July last year, it is responsible for: - Furthering the economic development and regeneration of London - Promoting business efficiency, investment and competitiveness in London - Promoting employment in London - Enhancing and developing the skills of local people and - Contributing to sustainable development. The North London Strategic Alliance (NLSA) is a sub-regional organisation set up to raise the profile of North London and to develop the potential of the sub-region by greater co-operation between public, private and voluntary sector partners. The sub-region of North London includes the boroughs of Barnet, Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest. The priorities of the NLSA are: - To support the economic regeneration and social improvement activities of partners - To raise the profile of North London - To improve the public transport infrastructure and reduce traffic congestion - To support the development of high quality learning and training opportunities for the people who live and work in North London - To support the development of key sites including the National Athletics Stadium at Picketts Lock The chair of the NLSA is David Plank, chief executive of the London Borough of Enfield. The NLSA's co-ordinator is Stephen Kelly who can be contacted on 020 8379 3254: email stephen.kelly@enfield.gov.uk.