Becoming a city was a great morale booster for Brighton and Hove. But it did not confer one extra grant or privilege on the two former towns.

City status may have persuaded Kimberly Clark to establish itself here but other firms will not flow towards the Sussex seaside without great efforts being made to attract them.

That's why the new economic partnership, which meets on Monday at the Old Ship Hotel, can be so important.

The council is important as the largest employer with its own regeneration function. But the biggest part of the economy in Brighton and Hove consists of private firms which is why it's vital the partnership is business led.

Previous partnerships have had some success in boosting Brighton and Hove's economy, concentrating on the high tech, media and arts sections that are among its greatest strengths.

The economic climate nationally is good and should remain so whichever party wins the General Election.

But the local economy is still fragile with underlying weaknesses including persistently high unemployment and low wages.

What's needed is for more nationally-known firms with good reputations to settle in Brighton and Hove and for more local firms to emulate the Body Shop, growing from small beginnings into national concerns.

Only by getting leaders from all the main sectors in the city to work together and sell its undoubted merits will economic prosperity be assured.