Oxfordshire council leaders have welcomed the Government’s decision to back a locally-led partnership for the Oxford to Cambridge region.

Secretary of state Michael Gove MP has confirmed his support for the establishment of an Oxford to Cambridge Pan Regional Partnership aimed at championing the region as a leader of innovation and business.

The endorsement unlocks access to up to £2.5m Government funding for the Partnership to support its priorities in delivering sustainable growth and environmental enhancements for the region.

It follows a proposal submitted to government by leaders from local councils, local enterprise partnerships, the Arc Universities Group and the area’s transport body, England’s Economic Heartland.

Following the official commitment from the Government, the Partnership will begin recruitment of a chair. In the interim, a shadow board has been set up to oversee the Partnership’s programme and agree governance and funding.

Chair of the shadow board, Cllr Barry Wood, said: ‘We believe that by working together the whole Oxford to Cambridge region can be greater than the sum of its parts. With official status as a Pan-Regional Partnership backed by government, we can unlock potential and further strengthen our area’s position as a hub of innovation; a globally recognised region of science and technology that delivers prosperity for our communities.

‘It will enable us to better achieve inclusive and sustainable outcomes for residents, business and the environment.’

The Partnership’s initial programme is to develop a set of propositions to attract international investment and profile the region on a global stage and to embed shared Environment Principles.

Cllr Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, said: ‘Working in partnership is one of the most important things we do as a council. The area that the Pan Regional Partnership covers is already known world-wide for our innovation and research and we want to work together to make sure that our local residents benefit in an inclusive way from the strengths of our local economies. We also want to continue the excellent work that we have already started on becoming an area of innovation around biodiversity and tackling climate change.’

Cllr Liz Leffman, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: ‘This is a welcome step forward for partners across the Oxford to Cambridge area who are in a strong position to work together to create conditions for economic growth underpinned by environmental sustainability. Now that this official status has been bestowed we can work more intensively towards our common aims and the benefits they will bring to residents across our individual areas.’