Localism Act and LEPs

I have been trying to understand how the Localism Act will impact on LEPs.

 

One of the key measures to increase the power of local government through the Act is by opening the door for the transfer of power to our major cities to develop their areas, improve local services, and boost their local economies, specifically to promote economic development or wealth creation. 
 

Further powers can be devolved to core cities at their request, without the need for additional legislation.

 

As I understand it there are 8 core cities.

 

Core Cities	LEP
Birmingham	Greater Birmingham and Solihull
Bristol	West of England
Leeds	Leeds City Region
Liverpool	Liverpool City Region
Manchester	Greater Manchester
Newcastle	North Eastern
Nottingham	Derby Derbyshire Nottingham Nottinghamshire
Sheffield	Sheffield City Region

 

It will be interesting to see what powers are requested and by whom.
 

It will also be interesting how the role of elected mayors fits into LEPs. As 11 cities will be able to decide whether or not to have an elected Mayor.

LEP and other funding update

There are a few new funding sources / amouncements that are worth capturing.

Growing Places Fund

The Growing Places Fund will provide £500m to enable the development of local funds to address infrastructure constraints, promoting economic growth and the delivery of jobs and houses.  Information can be found here:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/regeneration/growingplacesfund

Things to note:  LEP areas have been allocated an indicative distribution, subject to successful completion of a pre qualification questionnaire due on 20th December.  Buckinghamshire LEP has an allocation. This is subject to Ministerial approval of the local enterprise partnership proposal. It would seem that the 39th LEP is imminent.

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=421936&SubjectId=2

Regional Growth Fund Round Two

There were 119 sucessful bids announced http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/economic-development/regional-growth-fund/successful-2nd-round-bids but some bids have more than one project hence over 150 projects are listed.

In addition some other sucessful bids have also been announced eg Princess Yachts and RBS, NatWest and HSBC have agreed to facilitate the distribution of the £95 million - which is part of the government’s RGF to SMEs  http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=421994&SubjectId=2

Business Growth Fund

Apply Investment Criteria


•Target companies that demonstrate a strong growth trajectory and have a turnover between £5m and £100m
•Offer investments of between £2m to £10m in return for an equity stake in the business and a seat on the Board
•As Board Members, contribute business guidance as well as capital for growth
•Invest over the long term - five to seven years or more; and
•Consider investment opportunities across all sectors apart from financial services and real estate.


http://www.businessgrowthfund.co.uk/about-us

Why other LEP analysis doesn’t reflect the full picture: first round Local Enterprise Partnerships one year anniversary the real story

The original 24 Local Enterprise Partnerships were announced a year ago on 28th October. The Centre for Cities produced a report on LEPs to coincide with this date which looks at the progress of the first round of LEPs. In essence the report suggests that LEPs have made little progress over the last year and this is indicative of their underperformance. The report can be accessed via this link http://www.centreforcities.org/one-year-on-and-local-enterprise-partnerships-show-limited-progress.html.

I take issue with this report.

Figure 1 of the report looks at a number of variables which are suggested to be judging performance.

Having a shadow Board was one approach some LEPs took whilst recruiting a full Board. Having or not having a Shadow Board just looks at governance arrangements. It doesn’t represent progress as it is not a necessary step.

Another measure used was having a Board recognised by government. Not all LEPs have had their Board recognised by Government. This isn’t to say the Board doesn’t exist and wasn’t recruited using an open and honest process. Rumour has it that government won’t recognise an all male Board. Once again whether or not a Board is recognised by government isn’t representative of the Board existing and taking decisions.

All LEPs will have indicative priorities / strategy. In order to become a recognised LEP a prospectus had to be put together for government and part of this included what the LEP will focus on. Whilst I accept that this information might not be easily available, or indeed public it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I would suggest that some LEPs could do with improving their communications, but this doesn’t mean strategic decisions are not being taken.

Enterprise Zones were bid for through a competitive process. A LEP area which doesn’t have an Enterprise Zone doesn’t mean the LEP has failed to achieve this it is more likely that geographically and politically the area is less suitable. Not all LEP areas even bid for EZ status. Also where a LEP wasn’t successful in achieving EZ status, new local freedoms mean that action can be taken. Accelerated Development Zones can be created http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Plan-create-1-200-new-jobs/story-13709414-detail/story.html

In one sense it is true that there may be a two tier LEP structure developing. There are LEPs that have Enterprise Zones, Regional Growth Fund round one and two success and established partnership arrangements which will give them an advantage over other LEP areas without the joint working history or money and projects which can be used to lever in private sector support. The LEPs without these things I believe will still be able to make an impact. It might just be a bit harder to maintain private sector interest.

Having a dedicated website cannot be used to judge a LEPs performance. The South East LEP for example does not have a dedicated website but does through Essex County Council webpage’s contain some of the most through and timely information of any of the LEPs and probably is saving a lot of money through this approach http://www.essex.gov.uk/Business-Partners/Partners/Local-Enterprise-Partnership/Pages/Default.aspx  I particularly value the weekly Board updates.

The South East LEP http://www.essex.gov.uk/Business-Partners/Partners/Local-Enterprise-Partnership/Documents/South_East_LEP_making_progress.pdf, New Anglia LEP http://www.eadt.co.uk/business/new_anglia_and_south_east_lep_chiefs_defend_partnership_s_performances_1_1110798 and Teesside LEP have defended their progress http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2011/10/28/teesside-lep-hits-back-after-report-blasts-progress-51140-29677836/ I am sure others have too.
I also like the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP area League Tables http://warksobservatory.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/local-enterprise-partnership.pdf  but it should be remembered that this is looking at stats based on LEP geographies.

The problem with comparing LEPs is that you are not comparing like with like. They have different priorities, are different sizes, have different histories and different needs.

There is a lot of good news for LEPs.

LEPs are currently spending Start Up funding to for example get business plans, Bbards recruited and trained, websites and other comms in place etc this should level the playing field by the end of March 2012 of all the 38 LEPs.

First round capacity fund is also being spent by LEPs. Second round capacity fund will be announced soon with funding available from 1st April 2012.

Regional Growth Fund round two has just been announced. Four LEP (Leeds City Region, Greater Manchester, Solent, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly) bids were successful.

Leeds City Region secured £13.2m of funding for a package of nine projects that fell below the £1m threshold for individual RGF bids. This programme, Unlocking Growth in Advanced Manufacturing, along with other successful bids endorsed by the LEP brings the total funding secured by Leeds City Region to £32m, which is expected to unlock £257m of private investment and help create and safeguard 4,000 jobs.

Greater Manchester LEP’s bid into the RGF was £89m to secure a further £615m of investment and deliver 12,900 private-sector jobs directly, 11,500 indirectly and safeguard 2,470. The application was based around a programme of projects linking to themes of infrastructure in key investment locations, growth through innovation and technology, and high-growth businesses. Further details of which elements of the bid were successful are expected to emerge later this week.

Solent LEP also submitted a successful bid, entitled Bridging the gap: RGF Funding for SMEs in the Solent. The funding will allow the Solent LEP to manage a fund that new start-up businesses and SMEs looking to grow can bid into on a competitive basis.

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly LEP secured £13m from the RGF. This is to attract additional funding that will create a £43m programme to directly create or safeguard 3,200 jobs and indirectly create 2,100 jobs. The funding will be split into two


Above RGF section was taken from the October LEP Network Newsletter https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B5Vdxsrk2JSvNmRmN2I0OTMtZDVmZi00OTA5LWJjNmYtMGU0MWI2MTE3NmU2&hl=en_US&pli=1

Other LEPs supported RGF bids in their area.

LEP sector groups are being established, some of which have already met. For example there is a Rural Network and a National Automotive group. Soon there will also be one on Aerospace.

In the next few weeks the Growing Places Fund will be offered via prospectus to LEP. This is a DfT, DCLG and HMT pot.

There is currently a consultation on how the Government can put in place a structure to fully devolve decisions and funding for local capital transport improvements from April 2015 to a number of "local transport consortia," each made up of a number of LEPs and their constituent local authorities.

LEPs it seems will have a fuller and more varied role going forwards, given the developing roles of LEPs I believe they will make a difference and have made lots of progress over the last year.

Free LEP event - discover Heart of the South West's priorities

Wednesday 2 November 2011


Albemarle Centre, Taunton(10am - 1pm with lunch and networking)

Book now to attend http://www.swo.org.uk/events/prospects-for-private-sector-growth/

The Coalition Government wants to increase private sector jobs growth, rebalance the economy and decentralise power to local communities. But faced with much reduced public spending, together with significant changes to the infrastructure that previously supported economic development and business growth, how feasible is this aim? What are the prospects for private sector jobs growth?

On Wednesday 2 November at the Albemarle Centre in Taunton the South West Observatory will launch a major piece of research recently compiled by the SWO Economy and Skills and Learning Modules. Key issues identified from the research will be presented alongside case study examples from the business community and South West LEPs.

Programme

9.30 - 10.00 Refreshments

10.00 - 10.10 Welcome Vinita Nawathe, Managing Director, SWO Core Unit

10.10 - 10.15 Introduction Chris Evans, Director, Skills and Learning Intelligence Module (SLIM)

10.15 - 10.35 Building globally-competitive local economies: the role of LEPs

Mike Spicer, Senior Policy Advisor, British Chambers of Commerce

10.35 - 10.55 Heart of the South West LEP: Priorities and evidence needs

Jeremy Filmer-Bennett, Interim Chief Executive, Heart of the South West LEP

10.55 - 11.10 Refreshment break

Launching the research findings: Prospects for Private Sector Jobs Growth

11.10 - 11.30 The prospects for private sector jobs growth in South West England at the current time. Nigel Jump, Chief Economist, Economy Module

11.30 - 12.00 Research findings on the prospects for private sector jobs growth. Shane Vallance, Evidence Manager, Economy Module

12.00 - 12.40 Issues and findings with relation to labour market and skills within the area of South West England. Chris Evans, Director, SLIM

12.40 - 12.50 Q&A / Discussion

12.50 - 1.00 Closing remarks. Chris Evans, Director, SLIM

1.00 - 2.00 Buffet lunch and networking

LEPs: what’s new, what’s next?

Government is committed to LEPs. The areas of white space have rapidly diminished, there are now 38 LEPs. With only two areas left to either become or join a LEP. See this map http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/economic-development/leps

 Mission Creep
I have been challenged on what I meant by this in my last blog. For the avoidance of any doubt, I do think that each LEP will be different in approach, ambition and resources, and should be. I was referring to the possible increased scope of LEPs in what may be expected of them. For example the consultation around LEPs role in transport and possible DEFRA funding routes etc. Personally I can see positives and negatives with potential mission creep. The positives being LEPs will have a clearer and more defined role that is consistent across the country. This could also provide clearer 'hooks' for business to understand the role of LEPs, and to actually 'do' something especially in areas that don't have enterprise zones or regional growth fund, avoiding any whispers of LEPs being 'talking shops'. The negative side might be that LEPs actually become mini RDAs, one of the criticisms of RDAs is that they 'failed' because they took on / were given too large a remit. Often we hear BIS / DCLG talk about LEPs doing (only) 'three things well', with individual LEP priorities and enterprise zones (or Local Development Order), regional growth fund, memorandum of understanding with UKTI, LGRR and possible business rate retention, ongoing conversations with Business Link and other Departments utilising LEPs this seems increasingly unlikely.

In its simplest form are LEPs to be strategic or delivery bodies. Perhaps both and perhaps this will be different across the country.

Were are we
There are now 38 LEP which are all at different stages of development. LEPs are currently defining priorities (if they haven't already done so) and delivering against Start Up funding. I would assume all LEPs will have a Business plan, Trained Board, website (etc) by end march 2012. Obviously, some first round LEPs will also be doing a lot more than this.

 LEPs working together
Secretary of State for Transport Philip Hammond MP announced his intention to "launch a consultation on how the Government can put in place a structure to fully devolve decisions and funding for local capital transport improvements" from April 2015 to a number of "local transport consortia," each made up of a number of LEPs and their constituent local authorities. I have heard that DfT would be looking to work with 20-25 consortia – some LEPs would need to join up.

Apparently SEM, Oxon, Gtr Camb Gtr Pboro, Northants, Herts etc are all in potential transport consortium?

There are LEP sector groups being established, some of which have already met. For example there is a Rural Network and a National Automotive group. Soon there will also be one on aerospace.

LEP network
The LEP network newsletter is compulsory reading http://www.keb.org.uk/keb-files/LEP_Network_Newsletter_September_2011.pdf

The Website is soon to launch http://www.lepnetwork.org.uk/ and they are already on Twitter @TheLEPNetwork

Innovative LEP / other related activity
York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP have joint forces with banks to develop Certificate in Business Growth (CBG) http://deck.ly/~uDFgB and http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/yorkshire/59771-lep-launches-banks-partnership-project/

Green Investment bank location bids have been submitted by both Leeds and Bristol.

Information here on the New Enterprise Allowance http://t.co/JTSjxF2a to assist the unemployed to start a business

The County Councils Network newsletter 'County Beacon' has produced a special edition focusing on LEPs http://www.countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/Documents/CountyBeaconSeptember2011.pdf  again essential reading.

Enterprise Zone information Packs link is here https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B5Vdxsrk2JSvZjU0NWZlMzYtMGFmNC00M2NmLTlkN2MtODA3MTI4NGIzYTM2&hl=en&pli=1

Using LDOs in Enterprise Zones information here https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B5Vdxsrk2JSvYmQyNGQxZjEtNjI3Yy00ZGZiLTliMjQtYjY1NGQ0YWZhYWZk&hl=en

For a quick intro to the Leeds City Region LEP, watch their film at: http://t.co/dFVGDDxp (Leeds seem to be leading the way with social media usage)

Both Cumbria and Gloucestershire LEPs have met with the Tourism sector. Perhaps a LEP will decide to take on a Tourism pathfinder role?

I am interested to see how the skills agenda links to LEPs and the role of Employment and Skills Boards (private sector led).

What's next
Greg Clark is now the cities minister, perhaps the City region LEPs are track to get more powers? David Owen @CEOGlosFirst recently tweeted that Minister Greg Clarke said "LEPs should 'do deals' with Govt for transfer of powers".

DCLG will help with LDOs including areas without Enterprise zones. It will be interesting to see if the 40% of LEPs without an Enterprise Zone may try to recreate one. Interesting given that Entrepreneurs have called for a UK-wide enterprise zone http://t.co/XqCxQeJf

Growing places fund £500m has been announced. This "Growing Places" fund is to support infrastructure projects that will support local growth priorities, unlock development and create jobs.
Further details are expected to follow soon...

The Second round of LEP Capacity Fund is due to start being spent on 1^st April. BIS are currently thinking about what criteria will be applied to enable bidding. Those LEPs which were not around for the first round will still need the first round criteria and well as any additions.

New Anglia LEP lands 'green pathfinder' low carbon role http://t.co/QvmZR7lJ as mentioned above other pathfinders are expected.

There are 14 LEPs on twitter follow my list for more information @LornaGibbons/leps

I understand that there will be a meeting of all Enterprise Zone areas. It would also be really useful is BIS could include maps of all EZs on their website (some EZ maps can already be found on LEP websites). The BIS LEP web pages are very informative so look here http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/economic-development/leps if you haven't yet had the chance to.

The 24th October is the deadline for consultation on rates retention http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/resourcereviewtechnicalpapers

Will there be a two tier LEP approach? For Example areas without Enterprise Zones will be disadvantaged. Some LEPs may have a strategic Focus other Delivery. City regions may excel due to government policy of assisting growth in areas where it can have most impact.

Need to manage expectations around speed of delivery. Much has been made of the RGF money not yet coming through, but given the necessary due diligence this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

How to measure LEP success?
I am not sure you that you can satisfactorily or what this might add as you can't compare like for like. Also LEPs have different priorities, etc and no money! But if we assume this will happen at some point, a useful way to look at it could be 'have they delivered what they said they were going to do'?

Will LEPs be 'allowed' to fail, merge, grow...?

Should LEPs should have targets? Maybe if you give them money to deliver something!

It could be useful to identify priorities in common, sector groups, national areas in common.

Comparisons of the City regions would be interesting. Especially if the recognition for potential for cities to drive growth really takes off.

This was a bit rushed so sorry for twitter like sentences!

September has been a busy time for Local Enterprise Partnerships

Here are some of the highlights.

Northamptonshire LEP approved http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=421333&SubjectId=2


Evidence of the LEP role creeping?

TEES Valley Unlimited has become the first Local Enterprise Partnership to sign an investment pact with UK Trade and Investment http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2011/09/02/tvu-in-link-up-to-boost-teesside-investment-51140-29350600/#.TmDQ3cFsWi8.twitter all LEPs have been approached to sign this. It will be interesting to see if / how these pacts might differ.

LEPs should help with relaxation of planning restrictions and the fast-tracking of the planning process – should there be a planning role for LEPs? http://www.businessweekly.co.uk/economic-development-general-news/12654-mooney-turns-zone-ranger-to-fight-for-enterprise

LEPs to get role in transport? http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/at-a-glance/main-section/all_change_on_say_over_transport_schemes_1_3777302#.TnM2a1tkeus.twitter
Transport Minister (Philip Hammond) announced that LEPs will be part of the exploration of how major capital investment in transport can be devolved, ‘LEP Transport Consortia’.

Also via @CEOGlosFirst i read: Minister Greg Clarke: LEPs should 'do deals' with Govt for transfer of powers and; Minister Greg Clark: intention of Govt is to grow the economy through devolution to local structures.

LEP Activity

Leeds City region LEP summit was held on 9th September, over 700 delegates attended. We may see some future collaboration of the Northern LEPs. At this event Mark Prisk MP gave three practical examples to improve the business environment: planning, regulation & skills.

South East Midlands LEP appointed chair Dr Ann Limb: http://bit.ly/ocV2iP

Heart of the South West LEP / Plymouth CC seek explanation as to why Enterprise Zone bid rejected http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/open-dialogue/story-13280308-detail/story.html

New Anglia LEP had an event http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/national_lep_chairman_david_frost_meets_region_s_businesses_in_southwold_1_1021961#.TnMvAIkPjEY.twitter
 They have also been chosen by government to lead the way in the UK’s shift towards a low-carbon economy after the New Anglia LEP was chosen by the Government as the country’s “Green Pathfinder LEP” http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/new_anglia_to_lead_the_way_on_green_energy_1_1024221

Worcestershire LEP launched a new website http://worcestershirelep.org/


LEP Network



The LEP Network held their inaugural event on 15th September. Here is the link to the Communities & Local Government press release about this event http://ow.ly/6w2Pd

See my earlier blog for more information about the network http://lornagibbons.blogspot.com/2011/07/lep-network-interview-with-british.html

I have also written an article with Lee Pugalis about the LEP Network http://www.cles.org.uk/features/network-interference/#&panel1-1 you might be interested in this.

I understand the first LEP Network event was well attended and received positive feedback. The LEP network is not something LEPs have to participate in, it is not compulsory.

For what it is worth I personally think the LEP network has great potential. I do not think it was established in the most transparent of ways but this was out of the control of the British Chamber of Commerce.

LEP Boards

Dorset LEP Board Applications close on 23rd September http://www.dorsetforyou.com/localenterprisepartnership


As do the Humber LEP Board applications http://humberlep.org/board-recruitment/

Enterprise Zones Update

Enterprise Zones – where are we?

This post will clarify the current enterprise zone situation.

View this useful map showing local enterprise partnerships and enterprise zones http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/pdf/1968608.pdf 


As part of the Budget 2011 the Government announced its intention to establish 21 Enterprise Zones in England. Eleven local enterprise partnerships were invited to come forward with proposals for Enterprise Zones. All of the first round locations have been confirmed.

Local enterprise partnership	Enterprise Zone
Black Country	Black Country Enterprise Zone - led by Local Enterprise Partnership proposes: • Size: two sites covering 120 hectares; one site 'i54' falls across the boundary between the Black Country lep area and the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire lep area. The two partnerships have agreed to share the costs and proceeds of developing the site. • Sector focus: advanced manufacturing including aerospace, automotive and engineering and environmental technologies; • Tax break: Save business money in forgone business rates; • Job creation: Local Enterprise Partnership estimates that 3,843 net jobs will be created by 2015; • Floorspace: total developable floor space over £500,000 square metres; • Planning: Simplified regime to provide certainty for business wanting to build.
Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire	Nottingham (Boots Campus)
Greater Birmingham and Solihull	Birmingham (Birmingham City Centre)
Greater Manchester	Manchester (Airport)
Leeds City Region	Leeds (Lower Aire Valley)
Liverpool City Region	Liverpool (Mersey Waters)
London	London (Royal Docks)
North Eastern	North Eastern Enterprise Zone - led by the Local Enterprise Partnership proposes: • Size: two sites covering 117 hectares; • Sector focus: low carbon; • Tax break: save business money in forgone business rates; • Job creation: Local Enterprise Partnership estimates nearly 1,000 jobs will be created by 2015; • Floorspace: total developable floor space nearly 500,000 square metres; • Planning: Simplified regime to provide certainty for business wanting to build.
Sheffield City Region	Sheffield (The Modern Manufacturing and Technology Growth Area)
Tees Valley	Tees Valley Enterprise Zone - led by the Local Enterprise Partnership proposes a number of sites across Tees Valley. • Sector focus: petrochemicals and renewable energy, primarily spread on both banks of Tees estuary; • Tax break: save business money in forgone business rates and capital allowances; • Job creation: support the creation of 137 new businesses and over 2,624 jobs, business rate relief sites to be funded locally, will further support the creation of 29 businesses and 360 jobs. This gives a total number of 166 businesses and almost 3,000 jobs by 2015; • Planning: simplified regime to provide certainty for business wanting to build.
West of England	Bristol (Temple Quarter)

For the second wave of Enterprise Zones, LEPs were asked to come forward with bids – with the presumption being that only one designation will be made per partnership. Bids were selected from the thirty bids received.


The full list of bids received is:

Local Enterprise Partnership	Enterprise Zone Proposal
Cheshire and Warrington	Omega - an outstanding business location for Cheshire and Warrington
Coast to Capital	Enterprise@BognorRegis
Cornwall &  Isle of Scilly	Newquay AeroHub Enterprise Zone
Coventry & Warwickshire	Coventry & Warwickshire Gateway
Cumbria	Fuelling the Future - Cumbria Enterprise Zone
Derby Derbyshire Nottingham Nottinghamshire	Markham Vale Growth Zone
East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock	Discovery Park, Sandwich, Kent
East Sussex, Essex, Kent	Enterprise West Essex @ Harlow
Enterprise M3	Enterprise Zone M3
GFirst Local Enterprise Partnership	Gloucestershire Enterprise Zone
Greater Birmingham and Solihull	Greater Birmingham and Solihull Enterprise Belt
Greater Cambridge and Greater Peterborough	Alconbury Business Campus
Greater Lincolnshire	South Humber Bank Gateway Enterprise Zone
Heart of the South West	Energised, Advanced, Inspired: Plymouth's Enterprise Zone for the Heart of the South West
Heart of the South West	Heart of the South West Low Carbon Energy Enterprise Zone
Hertfordshire	Hertfordshire Enterprise Zone @ Maylands
Humber	Humber Renewable Energy Super Cluster
Lancashire	The Lancashire AEM (Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing) Enterprise Zone
Leicester and Leicestershire	MIRA Technology Park
London	Upper Lee Valley
London	Croydon
Marches	Marches Enterprise Zone
New Anglia	Energy for New Anglia
Oxfordshire	Science Vale UK Gateway Zone
Solent	The Solent Enterprise Zone at Daedalus
South East Midlands	Northampton Waterside
Stoke and Staffordshire	North Staffordshire Enterprise Zone
Worcestershire	South Kidderminster Advanced Manufacturing and Business Park
York and North Yorkshire	The Yorkshire Coast Enterprise Zone

(You will note that this is only 29 bids, I have been unable to locate the 30^th)

On 16th August the second round of Enterprise zones were confirmed.  We were expecting only 10 but 11 were approved.  There are now 22 Enterprise Zones.

The confirmed second round of Enterprise Zones are:Daresbury Science Campus in Warrington.
Newquay AeroHub in Cornwall
The Solent Enterprise Zone at Daedalus Airfield in Gosport
Rotherwas Enterprise Zone in Hereford;
Discovery Park in Sandwich, Kent
Enterprise West Essex in Harlow
Science Vale UK in Oxfordshire
Alconbury Airfield in Cambridgeshire
Great Yarmouth in Norfolk
Lowestoft in Suffolk;
Northampton Waterside
MIRA Technology Park in Hinckley Leicestershire
Humber Estuary Renewable Energy Super Cluster

More details below:

Rotherwas Enterprise Zone - in Hereford led by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership proposes:
• Size: three sites covering 61.5 hectares;
• Sector focus: defence, advanced engineering, green technologies and food processing;
• Tax break: Save business £4 million in forgone business rates;
• Job creation: Local Enterprise Partnership estimates at least 55 businesses and 1,800 jobs will be created by 2015;
• Planning: Simplified regime to provide certainty for business wanting to build;
• Broadband: Wireless service 20MB line speeds but can deliver 100MB speeds. A fibre optic option available through the Hereford BDUK Superfast Broadband project (up to 100MB) by 2013;
• Investment: Expecting at least £90m from the private sector by 2015.



Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone - led by the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership proposes:

• Size: 120 hectares;
• Sector focus: advanced technologies, precision engineering, low carbon technology, sustainable construction, and high performance engineering, supported by related professional, financial, leisure and business services;
• Tax break: Save businesses £19.9 million in forgone business rates;
• Job creation: Local Enterprise Partnership estimates 390 new businesses and 12,400 new jobs by 2015;
• Broadband: Exploring delivery of superfast broadband with suppliers;
• Investment: Anticipate over £200m from private sector.



Newquay Aerohub Zone – led by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership proposes:

• Size: 1 site covering 55 hectares;
• Sector focus: aerospace;
• Tax breaks: Save businesses £2.4million in forgone business rates;
• Job creation: 1,100 new jobs by 2015;
• Planning: Simplified regime; opening up the site for aviation development on the aerodrome and for the business park; and aviation related business development;
• Broadband: Access to Superfast Cornwall broadband £132m project is up and running.



Alconbury Airfield Zone - near Huntington, led by the Greater Cambridge and Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership proposes:

• Size: 150 hectares;
• Sector focus: ICT, biotech, pharmaceutical, advanced manufacturing, creative industries, engineering and processing;
• Tax breaks: Save businesses £5.9 - £6.3 million in forgone business rates;
• Job creation: Local Enterprise Partnership estimates 25-40 new businesses and 1,500 jobs by 2015;
• Planning: Simplified regime permitting the change of use of existing buildings and building new ones;
• Investment: Looking to attract international investment with UKTI support.



Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Enterprise Zone – led by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership proposes:

• Size: Six sites covering 121 hectares - close to the ports - South Denes, Beacon Park, Ellough Industrial Estate, South Lowestoft Industrial Estate, Mobbs Way and Riverside Road;
• Sector focus: energy sector (including offshore wind) and broader focus on ports, logistics, construction and engineering;
• Tax breaks: Save businesses £3.8 million in forgone business rates;
• Job creation: Local Enterprise Partnership estimates 80 businesses and 1,380 jobs by 2015;
• Planning: Existing simplified regime for all development relating to the energy cluster;
• Broadband: Norfolk just gained BDUK funding to improve broadband and has bid for £1m of ERDF funding to significantly improve coverage.



Daresbury Science and Innovation Zone - in North Warrington, led by Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnerships proposes:

• Size: 28 hectares;
• Sector focus: science and technology.
• Tax break: Save businesses £3.1 million in forgone business rates.
• Job creation: Local Enterprise Partnership estimates that 1000 new jobs and at least 32 businesses could be created by 2015;
• Planning: Simplified planning regime on course;
• Broadband: Access to a high speed 100 mb/s internet connection scaleable to demand. Academic partners on site are able to utilise the very high speed Superjanet Network.
• Investment: Seeks to attract significant numbers of high quality inward investment projects.



Humber Waterside Enterprise Zone - in Kingston upon Hull, led by Humber Local Enterprise Partnership proposes:

• Size: 375 hectare site;
• Sector Focus: offshore wind Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and supply chain;
• Tax breaks: Save businesses £7.9 million in forgone business rates;
• Job creation: Local Enterprise Partnership estimates that 4,850 jobs could be created by 2015;
• Planning: Simplified regime with a presumption - removing the need for specific planning permission with a single Local Development Order.



Discovery Park in Sandwich and West Essex Enterprise Zone in Harlow– led by the Kent, Essex and East Sussex local enterprise partnership proposes:

• Size: Sandwich site will be 99.4ha; Harlow site will be 51ha;
• Sector Focus: Sandwich will focus on life sciences, pharmaceutical, bio-technology and broader R&D (including chemicals, food and renewable energy). Harlow will focus medical technologies and advanced manufacturing;
• Tax breaks: Sandwich will save business £21.4 million.
• Job creation: Local Enterprise Partnership estimates that Sandwich will create 2400 jobs and 190 businesses and Harlow will create 100 businesses 2,200 – 2,570 jobs by 2015;
• Planning: simplified regime will cover change of uses without the need for planning permission to be sought. Harlow will facilitate those businesses in the health and allied industries and advanced manufacturing sectors;
• Broadband: There are excellent data (broadband) connections at Sandwich.



Science Vale Enterprise Zone – led by the Oxfordshire local enterprise partnership proposes:

• Size: 2 sites covering 92 hectares;
• Sector Focus: green technology, advanced materials and engineering, space and other high value R&D (e.g. medical technologies, bio-technologies and cryogenics);
• Tax breaks: Save business £29.8 million in forgone Business Rates;
• Job creation: Local Enterprise Partnership estimates 200 businesses and between 6,250 - 10,500 jobs by April 2015.



MIRA Technology Park in Hinckley – led by the Leicester and Leicestershire local enterprise partnership proposes:

• Size: one site covering 87.5 hectares;
• Sector Focus: R&D, including automotive, aerospace, transport, defence and manufacturing;
• Tax breaks: Save business £800,000 - £1.9 million in forgone business rates;
• Job creation: Local Enterprise Partnership estimates 12 businesses and 800 jobs by 2015;
• Broadband: plans for superfast roll out;
• Investment: UKTI have expressed their willingness to support international marketing effort. Local Enterprise Partnership have also bid for regional growth funding.



The Solent Enterprise Zone at Daedalus Airfield in Gosport – led by the Solent local enterprise partnership proposes:

• Size: one site covering 82 hectares;
• Sector Focus: R&D, including automotive, aerospace, transport, defence and manufacturing;
• Tax breaks: Save business £2.7 million in forgone business rates;
• Job creation: Local Enterprise Partnership estimates 38 – 45 businesses and 650 jobs by April 2015.
• Planning: is a master planned site and the current planning applications are intended to provide outline planning consents for development over the long term;
• Broadband: Discussions are ongoing about best broadband provision;
• Investment: UKTI have expressed their willingness to support international marketing effort. Local Enterprise Partnership have also bid for regional growth funding.

LEP Start Up Fund: who got what?

32 proposals were submitted to BIS for the £5 million start up fund. The average amount per LEP (assuming all funding was distributed) would be £156,250. Here is information on who got what. Percentage = percentage received from total amount bid for.

Where there is only a percentage this means I have not yet been able to find out the exact amount.


Coventry and Warwickshire got £200,000 100%

Thames Valley Berkshire got £198,835 100%

Greater Cambridge and Greater Peterborough £220,500 90%

Staffordshire Stoke-on-Trent Local Enterprise Partnership £172,500 98%

Black Country £75,000 100%

Coast to Capital £240,000 75%

Cornwall and IoS £76,000 100%

Sheffield £246,000 68%

Hertfordshire £180,000 90%

Greater Birmingham £160,000 73%

York and North Yorkshire £120,000

Dorset £177,500 95%

New Anglia £180,000 100%

Solent £95,000 100%

Humber £177,000 100%

Heart of the South West LEP £170,000 100%

South East £201,000 100%

Enterprise M3 £210,000 100%

The Marches £137,000 93%




Unknown:

North Eastern Local Enterprise Partnership 90%
Leeds City Region 69%
Cheshire and Warrington 90%
Tees Valley Unlimited 91%
Liverpool City Region 100%
Leicester and Leicestershire 97%
Greater Lincolnshire 100%
York and North Yorkshire 100%
South East Midlands 100%
West of England 100%
Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire 69%
Worcestershire 100%
Cumbria 100%
Greater Manchester 100%

LEP Network Interview with the British Chambers of Commerce

I Interviewed Mike Spicer from the British Chambers of Commerce on the LEP Network 26^th July 2011

What will the LEP Network do?

It will be a light-touch network that enables LEPs to come together to discuss issues of shared importance, engage with Ministers, and share knowledge and good practice. It will be a gateway to news and information, and will assist LEPs to ‘self-serve’ with their troubleshooting, capacity-building and problem-solving needs.

The Network officially went live on 21 July, so it’s still very early days. We have a draft programme of activities that we are testing with LEP leaders to ensure it reflects their needs and is driven by their requirements.

The core programme will consist of events; electronic forums for regular communication; a monthly bulletin; a website and an annual benchmarking report of LEP-area economies.

We hope that over time it becomes a valued and trusted platform for LEPs and the wider community of interest around local economic development.



Who is it for?

It’s there for LEPs. LEPs come in all shapes and sizes and the make-up of Boards, in terms of public and private-sector participants, varies greatly too. The Network needs to be inclusive to reflect that and be successful.

While LEPs are resource-constrained, that doesn’t mean they can’t draw on expertise and experience in a way that avoids the use of significant additional resource. Using the power of networks is one such way. We’ve already seen virtual social networks spring up around the LEP agenda. But I think it’s fair to say that at this stage they are mainly confined to the wider community of interest and have a public-sector slant.

The Network will help to address this lack of capacity on the private-sector side but will not be exclusive to it. I think a major strength that the BCC brings to this is experience of engaging with Chamber members, other local business bodies and the wider community on the issue of local economic development. This experience will inform how we frame Network activities so they are as inclusive as they can be.

We have also been in discussions with the LGA about how we can make this work for both the public and private-sector participants in LEPs.



What will you do?

My role is to lead the project management of LEP Network activities and be the main point of contact for those looking to find out more about how they can get involved.



Are you a new national secretariat?

No. This is not about re-creating some equivalent to the old RDA National Secretariat: RDAs shared common lines of accountability into central government and the secretariat supported that by co-ordinating communications and positions.

But LEPs are evolving from the bottom up - free from central control and shaped according to local need: the LEP Network is based on these principles too and will be driven by the priorities of its members.

LEPs have told us loud and clear: they do not want the Network to be a collective mouthpiece for them, and they do not want some grouping drawn from the Network that could, over time, come to be seen as the primary route for the Government to engage with the LEP agenda.



For how long will you be facilitating this network given funding restraints?

The Department for Communities and Local Government has made a grant available to cover some of the costs of Network activity over its first two years, the remainder will be met through in-kind contributions from the BCC.

So our role is to get it up and running. We will be working with partners across the Network to explore the options for sustaining it beyond the grant period.



How do I get involved (LEP/business/representative group)?

There are several ways you can get involved - by attending events; providing news and other material for the website and monthly bulletins; and contributing to online discussions.

The Network will hold events throughout the year: some will be directed primarily at LEP Boards, others will be open to the wider community of interest.

We will also be organising a Business Representatives Forum, drawn from across national business groups and sector organisations. This will be a forum for business groups to raise common issues about local economic development from their members, in a way that can be fed into the Network.



I understand that there is an event on 15th September – how can I register?

The LEP Network’s inaugural event will be held in London on 15 September. It is open to LEP Boards, senior government officials and business group representatives. This first event is by invitation only. The aim is to maximise the quality time between LEP leaders and Ministers. The event will feature keynote addresses from BIS and CLG Ministers; a ‘LEP Question time’ session – a chance for LEP leaders to ask questions of senior members of the Government; and plenty of opportunities for networking.



There will be a second, larger event, in February / March 2012 that will be open to the wider community of interest. We also plan to hold regular thematic workshops.



Will you have a website/email address?

Yes. The Network website will go live over the next few months. It will be a portal for information on LEPs and news from around the Network; carry discussion threads; be a hub for LEP-relevant research; and include information about LEP Network events with details of how to get involved.

The LEP Network email address will go live from 1 August and will be: info@lepnetwork.org.uk



Can I register for updates / newsletter / events? Will you have a distribution list?

Yes. You will be able to register by emailing info@lepnetwork.org.uk from 1 August and there will also be a facility to sign up through the website when that goes live.



Will I be able to bid for funding from you?

No – the Network is not a funding body. But information on how to access / raise funding will be included within the scope of Network activities.

Sub-national economic development: Where do we go from here?

Sub-national economic development: Where do we go from here?


Lee Pugalis, September 2010
 
A little dated but still worth a read as many of the points are still valid.
 
http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/60737924?access_key=key-jpd9v6f8rnac1goo00n

Everything you need to know about LEPs(2): essential LEP reading; groups to join and best practice

LEPs are part of the Government’s Local Economic Growth Agenda which also includes: Enterprise Zones; Regional Growth Fund; Reforming the planning system; Incentivising Local Authorities to go for growth (including the New Homes Bonus and the Local Government Resource Review which is due in July 2011); UKTI: new arrangements for Foreign Direct Investment support; and around skills: freedom from central control; two-way engagement between colleges & training organisations and local partners.

Each LEPs role will be decided locally, however the focus will be around these themes: economic development, skills, planning, housing and tourism. 

There are 36 LEPs.  They are at different stages of development. 

Many LEPs have websites which are a great source of information.  In terms of establishing a LEP and what they will be doing here is a list of documents that I would recommend viewing:

Coast to Capital chairman role job description
South East Midlands chair job description
South East Midlands director role
Hertfordshire LEP terms of reference
Cheshire and Warrington presentation from stakeholder forum presentation on 4^th July
Stoke and Staffordshire Selection criteria for Board Members
Solent LEP mission statement and guiding principles
Oxfordshire LEP business plan
Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Board Terms of Reference
West of England June Board minutes 

All of which are available on the appropriate LEP website

A couple of other reports worth reading are:

Patrick McVeigh’s thoughts on LEPs via CLES http://www.cles.org.uk/features/decisions-decisions/

Janice Morphet Infrastucture Development Plans and LEPs which is available through LinkedIn

There are my tips of groups to join for more information on LEPs.

Linked In:

From RDA to LEP

Local Enterprise Partnerships

Check if your local LEP has a LinkedIn group

Communities of Practice http://www.communities.idea.gov.uk/welcome.do

You will need to register and then join the Local Enterprise Partnerships ‘community’

If you would like me to share your documentation / papers / other best practice please forward it to me.  This blog has had more than 6000 hits in two months.

lorna_gibbons@hotmail.com

List of Local Authorities in more than one LEP

LA (District/ Unitary) covered (spatially)	LEPs
Barnsley	Leeds City Region Sheffield City Region
Craven	Leeds City Region York and North Yorkshire
Harrogate	Leeds City Region York and North Yorkshire
Selby	Leeds City Region York and North Yorkshire
York	Leeds City Region York and North Yorkshire
North East Derbyshire	Sheffield City Region Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire,
Chesterfield	Sheffield City Region Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire,
Bassetlaw	Sheffield City Region Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire,
Bolsover	Sheffield City Region Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire,
East Staffordshire	Greater Birmingham and Solihull Stoke and Staffordshire
Lichfield	Greater Birmingham and Solihull Stoke and Staffordshire
Cannock Chase	Greater Birmingham and Solihull Stoke and Staffordshire
Tamworth	Greater Birmingham and Solihull Stoke and Staffordshire
Redditch	Greater Birmingham and Solihull Worcestershire
Bromsgrove	Greater Birmingham and Solihull Worcestershire
Wyre Forest	Greater Birmingham and Solihull Worcestershire
King's Lynn and West Norfolk	Greater Cambridge & Greater Peterborough New Anglia
Forest Heath	Greater Cambridge & Greater Peterborough New Anglia
North Hertfordshire	Greater Cambridge & Greater Peterborough Hertfordshire
St Edmundsbury	Greater Cambridge & Greater Peterborough New Anglia
Uttlesford	Greater Cambridge & Greater Peterborough Kent, Greater Essex and East Sussex
Dacorum	Hertfordshire South East Midlands
Cherwell	Oxford City Region South East Midlands
East Hampshire	Solent Enterprise M3
Test Valley	Solent Enterprise M3
Winchester	Solent Enterprise M3
North East Lincolnshire	Lincolnshire Humber
Croydon	Coast to Capital Pan London
East Riding of Yorkshire	York and North Yorkshire and Humber

For a full list of LEPs and LAs follow this link to an Excel spreed sheet http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/economic-development/docs/l/11-p113f-local-authority-areas-covered-by-leps.xls