Tory bids to call time on 'barking' NWDA decisions; Agency needs replacing, says Grayling.

Byline: DAVID BARTLETT 

SHADOW Minister for Merseyside Chris Grayling last night attacked the Northwest Development Agency, claiming it often made "cack-handed" decisions.

He said it was a "barking" decision by the NWDA to support the building of a computer games centre in Salford, as Liverpool was the leader in this field.

He told business leaders that he would like to see the regional development agencies replaced with local economic partnerships that could make better decisions.

Mr Grayling, who is also shadow Home Secretary, said he believes the Tories could work well with a Labour council in Liverpool.

He said both sides had grown up since the Conservatives clashed with Liverpool Council in the 1980s and 90s.

Liverpool Council is currently controlled by the Liberal Democrats, but could fall into the hands of Labour after May's local elections as the ruling party currently has a majority of one seat.

The Conservatives, meanwhile, are widely expected to win the next general election. Mr Grayling also said he was unapologetic about comparing Speke with the crime-ridden USA murder capital Baltimore, as depicted in cult TV show, The Wire.

Last night, NWDA chief executive Steve Broomhead said no decision had yet been made about a gaming centre of excellence in Salford and that it was just speculation.

"As far as we are concerned it is business as usual, we are working hard to get this region back into economic growth and we do seem to be making a contribution."

Mr Grayling told business leaders how the NWDA needed to be replaced with local economic partnerships.

"I think it was barking to want to put the computer centre of excellence in Salford and not Liverpool.

"It should be Liverpool because all the expertise is here.

"Who on earth paid the consultants to come up with that one?" He also said decisions were often made in a "cackhanded" way by the development agency. He went on to say the Conservatives could work with a Labour council and praised Labour leader Cllr Joe Anderson.

"I like Joe, I talk to him from time to time. He's a decent guy. We don't agree on everything, but it does not mean we can't work together in the interests of Merseyside.

"I do not see why we can't have a perfectly constructive relationship with a Labour council in Liverpool.

In relation to The Wire, he said: "It is factually the case that there are a number of communities around the country which have levels of crime that are at the top of the league tables, and there's a clear pattern that sees crime at its worst in the poorest areas."

CAPTION(S):

Chris Grayling talks to business leaders MP Chris Grayling and Frank McKenna, from Downtown Liverpool, talk to local business leaders at DWF Solicitors, in St Paul's Square Picture: COLIN LANE/ cl170909grayling-