WE have been critical of the coalition Government’s muddled thinking over what should replace regional development agencies (RDAs) such as One North East and Yorkshire Forward.

It has seemed to us that the Government wanted to dump the RDAs but did not have a clear view of how their responsibilities would be dealt with and their value retained.

Throughout the debate, we have stuck to the view that the North-East needs a strategic body strong enough to present the case for the whole region.

But we also believe there is a need for strong sub-regions which ensure joined-up thinking between local authorities.

For example, the fortunes of boroughs such as Hartlepool, Redcar, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Darlington are inter-dependent and it is right that they have formal economic links under the Tees Valley banner.

Bids have been submitted for several Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in our region but the Northern Business Forum has now sent a letter to every North-East council saying it is not prepared to support individual LEPs, fearing they undermine the need for a strategic regional body.

The result is that the North-East is now in danger of shooting itself in the foot by presenting a fractured picture of itself to Government.

It is no good arguing for joined-up thinking and unity and then descending into a mess of division.

One way or another, the movers and shakers of the North-East need to come together and decide how best to move forward in a way that gives us the strongest possible regional voice backed up by co-ordinated sub-regions.