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Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce is seeking the views of businesses in Chesterfield, Bassetlaw and North East Derbyshire about proposals to create a new Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) covering Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

It was announced last week that the upper tier City and County Councils in both counties have formally agreed that creating a two county LEP will be the best approach to ensure that business still receives the vital support, assistance and access to funding it requires in the wake of the government decision to axe the East Midlands Development Agency.

The LEP will provide strategic leadership on establishing local economic priorities at a difficult time, with public expenditure cuts and the need to encourage the growth of the private sector necessary to secure and sustain the economic recovery.

Although the upper tier local authorities in both counties have agreed to support the creation of a two county LEP, the Chamber is aware of discussions taking place to create LEPs across political and regional boundaries, with areas such as South Yorkshire.

The Chamber has launched a short online survey to gauge the view of local businesses. The results will be fed back to the relevant local authorities and will be used to inform the writing of any future LEP bids.

Richard Wilkins, President of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber, said: "The Chamber's highest priority is to help build a powerful Local Enterprise Partnership which is cost-effective, delivers real business benefits and is large enough to attract funds and be a powerful, influential lobbying force for local businesses.

"However, there is a danger that districts which border neighbouring areas - such as Chesterfield Borough, Bassetlaw and North East Derbyshire - could look to join LEPs in other areas, which may fragment Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

"The Chamber is keen to ensure that it makes the right decisions and supports the right proposals for all of its members, which is why it has launched this online consultation to get the views of businesses in these three districts."

Businesses should visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/DNCCLEPSurvey to take the short online survey.