PLANS to set up a new body to replace the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) have sparked an angry response from Exeter City Council.

In the wake of its decision to abolish RDAs, the Government invited submissions from groups of 'upper tier' — county and unitary — local authorities and business interests to propose new Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs).

Devon, Plymouth and Torbay councils have submitted plans to form an LEP covering the area — prompting city leaders to accuse County Hall chiefs of "a blatant snub to Exeter and its future economic prosperity".

With relations between the authorities still strained after the city's unsuccessful bid for unitary status, party leaders on the city council united in condemning the lack of a place on the proposed LEP's board for an Exeter representative.

The city council claimed that it and Exeter Chamber of Commerce had been "frozen out of all discussions about and drafting of this submission, despite sustained requests over the last two months to be involved and despite being responsible for the most dynamic city economy in the area".

Liberal Democrat leader of the council, Cllr Adrian Fullam, said: "This is a deeply unhelpful and totally unnecessary stance from the county council, which flies in the face of their stated intention to rebuild bridges with the city.

"More importantly it fails to recognise Exeter's huge and pivotal role in Devon's economy and the strength and obvious track record of the existing partnership between the City Council and Exeter's business community.

"Excluding Exeter in this way is likely to prejudice the city's future growth prospects."

Councillor Norman Shiel, acting leader of the city council's Conservative group, said: "The county council appears to be treating the major regional city of Exeter with contempt in these proposed arrangements. Devon's main focus has always been on rural Devon and it is simply not good enough for Exeter's economic future to be entrusted to it in this way."

Councillor Dilys Baldwin, acting Labour group leader, added: "All we are asking for is that Exeter's economic importance is properly recognised in these arrangements, which is not much to ask and which is already proposed for similar cities elsewhere in the country.

"Unfortunately the county council now seems driven only by a vindictive wish to punish Exeter for having dared to assert its claim to unitary status."

Councillor Joan Morrish, leader of the city council's Liberal group, said: "If these arrangements are approved it will turn the clock back and exclude Exeter's democratically elected representatives from any real influence on key decisions for Exeter's economic future."

Derek Phillips, chairman of Exeter's Chamber of Commerce, said: "It is very disappointing to note that the new inclusiveness, promised by the county following the reversal of the unitary decision, has failed to be delivered in this crucially important area. This is potentially a big setback for business-led growth in Exeter."

Responding to the claims, Devon County Council leader Councillor John Hart said: "We have done our best to talk with Exeter, but Exeter is not a top tier authority — it is only one of eight district authorities. I don't understand why everyone is suddenly shouting that we haven't consulted — we have consulted."