Header

Tuesday 24 May 2011

If you are not in a LEP it is time to take action fast

Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) are quickly becoming the preferred vehicle for sub national delivery around growth, job creation and has potential for this list to expand rapidly.

There are still a few Local Authorities which are not part of a LEP, this is notable within the South West.  

Whilst some may see the LEP label as adding very little (which in the beginning would have been a fair point), recent BIS (et al) announcements mean that time is of the essence in getting a LEP area ‘approved’ and getting a Board in place to ensure your LEP is in the strongest position to ‘mop up’ limited funding which has recently been announced in supporting this function.

Dates which are fast approaching include:

  • LEP capacity fund second round in autumn 2011 (third and forth rounds in 2012 and 2013)
  • LEP start up fund, this is a one off 2011/2012 £5M fund
  • End June 2011 is the closing date for enterprise zone applications
  • Regional Growth Fund round 2 – LEPs could bid for funding for delivery as a public private partnership, closing date 1st July

The competition isn’t just with your neighbours or ‘region’ but with the whole country, after all you have to be in it to win it...

No comments:

Post a Comment