MP Harriett Baldwin today urged her colleagues to work together to improve economic development into the region. The call follows a meeting held at the House of Commons with Advantage West Midlands yesterday (July 21). The West Midlands Regional Development Agency was updating MPs following news that it will be abolished and replaced by Local Enterprise Partnerships. Harriett said: “There is a real need for leadership from local MPs, local businesses and locally elected councillors as we move toward Local Enterprise Partnerships. I will be working with Worcestershire County Council and local businesses to work out what is best for our local economy and ensure a smooth transition.” At yesterday’s meeting, Harriett questioned how AWM – as a public body – was able to have a board meeting minutes where most items were marked confidential. “I think that there is a real need for transparency and I am concerned by the lack of publicly available information about the running of AWM. “I will be working with my colleagues in Westminster to make sure that the best solution is delivered for local businesses to help them to thrive and lead the way out of these difficult economic times.”