Local Enterprise Partnerships could be engines for economic growth

June 30, 2010

Responding to the announcement from Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on the Regional Growth Fund and the announcement on Local Enterprise Partnerships in this morning’s letter to councils and business leaders from Secretaries of State Eric Pickles and Vince Cable, Anna Turley, Acting Director of the New Local Government Network said:

‘NLGN wholeheartedly endorses and welcomes the announcement from the Government that local areas are to be encouraged to come together and collaborate to drive enterprise and business growth in their areas. LEPs can become an engine room for economic growth in their local areas building on the excellent work done already through Multi-Area Agreements and other partnerships.’

‘It is crucial that LEPs possess strong lines of accountability to their local areas through democratically-elected leadership alongside strong and energetic business leadership. NLGN’s research and Forum for local partnerships has demonstrated the benefits that this type of strategic leadership can have in driving local enterprise, on the skills and jobs agenda and on planning, infrastructure and transport. To unlock the potential benefits, it is vital that these local partnerships have the necessary tools and status to carry out their activities.’

‘We also welcome the new £1 billion ‘Regional Growth Fund’ and its positive signals to support private enterprise. However, Ministers should be mindful of the dangers of future funding decisions in economic development and growth being drawn upwards into remote corridors of Whitehall.’

‘We look forward to seeing the full detail of the Government’s plans in the upcoming White Paper and having the opportunity to respond.’


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