The Future of Local Enterprise Partnerships
On 29th June 2010 GWE Business
West[1] brought together representatives
of the business community, in Bristol, Swindon, Bath and
Gloucestershire, to discuss the new Coalition Government’s approach
to economic development[2]. And
specifically to discuss the proposal to replace Regional
Development Agencies (RDAs) with Local Enterprise
Partnerships[3].
Business leaders and representatives from Barclays Corporate,
University of the West of England, Whitmarsh Lockhart, Forward
Swindon, Howard Tenens, Gloucestershire First, West of England
Partnership, Bath, Gloucestershire and Bristol Chambers of
Commerce, and the British Chambers of Commerce, were amongst the
attendees.
The purpose of the discussion was to, as a business community,
see where there are areas of common purpose and agreement and to
begin the process of developing a business view that could feed
into future discussions with local and national government.
A number of very clear points of common purpose came
through:
- LEPs must be responsible for setting a longer term vision for
the economy of their area;
- LEPs must be business led and have a business ethos, with at
least a 50/50 split public/private sector on the board and chaired
by business;
- LEPs should not be fixed on local authority boundaries but on
areas that make sense economically and should be flexible
enough to be adaptable with no single solution approach
imposed;
- LEPs should start with a narrow focus on a small number of key
objectives to overcome barriers to economic growth including
skills, planning, employment and housing land and
connectivity;
- Support for British Chambers approach to all LEPs having 3 key
targets – GDP growth, private sector job creation and
economic diversity/vitality;
- Support for British Chambers approach to ensuring a strong
Chamber of Commerce role in the creation of LEPs as the natural
business representative organisation in most areas.
There was an overwhelming view that the core role of an LEP
needed to include a “translator” role between public sector and
business, ensuring local authorities understand what business
wants. The LEP would be a conduit for understanding the business
view.
On the issue of what constitutes a natural economic area and
what “local” means, there was less agreement, with some wanting a
more local area approach based around city regions or existing
counties and others a more strategic level of operation crossing
county boundaries. The common theme however was that whatever
geographical area the LEPs are based on, they need to be large
enough to attract and engage big business, but small enough to be
connected locally, and they need strong business support and
leadership.
A general consensus was reached that there would be some benefit
in an informal mechanism. Something more strategic to sit above the
smaller LEPs, and that the business community could join together
to operate at this more strategic level to feed into locally based
LEPs. Joining up issues across areas and sharing best practice.
Phil Smith, Managing Director of GWE Business West, said, “We
encourage the business community to make its voice heard, to speak
to local politicians and other businesses to ensure the business
voice is loud and clear on our areas of common purpose. Without
business there is nothing – let’s make sure business is at the
forefront of the development of these LEPs.”
ENDS
536 words
Note to editors
[1] GWE Business West
Business leadership. Business membership. Business services.
Playing a major role in shaping and supporting economic growth and
success.
GWE Business West exists to help provide an environment in which
business can thrive and prosper. It is a private company with a
public, business responsible purpose. It delivers an extensive
range of business to business services. Acting on behalf of its
members and customers, GWE Business West is a powerful voice for
the business community across the Bristol, Bath and North East
Somerset, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire region, with
strong roots in each of its local communities.
GWE Business West operates from offices in, Bristol, Bath,
Swindon, Midsomer Norton and Gloucester.
www.gwebusinesswest.co.uk
[2] New Coalition Government’s approach to
economic development
The government have now issued an invitation to local councils and
business leaders to “come together to consider how they wish to
form local enterprise partnerships”.
[3] Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP’s)
According to the letter from Vince Cable and Eric Pickles issued on
29th June 2010, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are seen as
providing strategic leadership in their areas to set out a clear
vision and local economic priorities. Their purpose will be to
create the right environment for business and growth by tackling
issues such as planning and housing, local transport and
infrastructure priorities, employment and enterprise and the
transition to a low carbon economy. Full details will be set out in
a White Paper to be published shortly.
[4] Attendees on 29th June 2010
| West of England |
|
| Mike Bothamley |
Beachcroft LLP |
| Malachy McReynolds |
Elizabeth Shaw Ltd |
| Simon Moore |
Barclays Corporate |
| Fern Urquhart |
University of the West of England |
| Terry Wagstaff |
West of England Partnership |
| |
|
| GWE BW Staff |
|
| John Savage |
GWE Business West |
| Phil Smith |
GWE Business West |
| Nicky Alberry |
GWE Business West |
| Colin Skellett |
GWE Business West |
| Tessa Coombes |
GWE Business West |
| Ian Bell |
Bath Chamber of Commerce & Initiative |
| Ian Larrard |
GWE Business West, Swindon |
| Nigel Hutchings |
GWE Business West |
| James Durie |
GWE Business West |
| Nick Weaver |
Northern Arc Ltd TA Business Link |
| |
|
| Gloucestershire |
|
| David Owen |
Gloucestershire First |
| John Thurston |
Watts Group |
| John Little |
Fluid Transfer |
| David Tate |
Silverwood UK Ltd / Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce |
| Jon Leamon |
Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce |
| Sharon Sheapher |
Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce/Northern Arc |
| Michael Ratcliffe |
Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce |
| |
|
| Swindon |
|
| Mark Beard |
Beard Construction |
| James Lockhart |
Whitmarsh Lockhart |
| Karen Walker |
Forward Swindon |
| Eilis Cope |
Howard Tenens |
| |
|
| Special Guests |
|
| David Frost |
British Chambers of Commerce |