LEPs
Will new Levelling Up Fund round repeat ‘beauty contest’?
Dr Nicola Headlam says the Government may have renewed its commitment to empower local leaders but as yet the reality does not match the rhetoric on funding for local growth.
Will the fair funding review be another damp squib?
David Phillips says that, if the fair funding review becomes a repeat of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, it increases the risk that the Government’s flagship levelling up agenda remains little more than a slogan.
Government must back up claim that UKSPF provides real terms match
If the Government is sure the UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides a real terms match for every LEP area, then they should release the comparative data that backs up their argument, says Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton.
Funding decision signals 'waning influence' of LEPs
The Government’s decision to slash funding for growth hubs and local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) confirms combined authorities will increasingly lead economic development, a former LEP chair has suggested.
Helping the mayoral medicine go down
There is a willingness to enter into negotiations on a county deal in good faith, but there seems to be a mismatch between our ambition and what may be on offer, says chief executive of Great Yarmouth BC Sheila Oxtoby.
Four strengths of LEPs
Mark Bretton asks how we can marry up the Levelling Up White Paper’s ‘warm words’ about local enterprise partnerships with the future role they are expected to play in bringing about £2.5tn of economic transformation.
Give communities a real stake in skills improvement
Dr Marius Ostrowski says Local Skills Improvement Plans, one of the Government’s key Levelling Up White Paper commitments, must be made truly representative of the communities they intend to serve.
Still no fiscal fix
What is missing from the Levelling Up White Paper, can its targets can be met and how does the Government intend to increase its grip on how local services are doing? Heather Jameson reports.
Partnership is the key to future prosperity for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire
The Levelling Up White Paper has recognised the value of LEPs, public-private partnership and the voice of business, says Alun Rogers - providing an opportunity to press ahead with a renewed focus on Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire LEP's future role.
Government commits to future of LEPs
Local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) are to be integrated into devolution deals as part of the Levelling Up White Paper.
LEPs claim survival chances boosted
Local enterprise partnerships (LEP) believe their survival chances have been boosted after a meeting with ministers.
The future of Local Enterprise Partnerships
The Government’s 'collective amnesia' on past successes and failures must not harm desired economic development outcomes, says executive director of the Institute of Economic Development Nigel Wilcock.
LEP warning over funding uncertainty
The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has warned it has reached 'crisis point' after only receiving half the funds promised from the Government so far this year.
Film and TV sector offers opportunities for growth beyond Hertfordshire
Our Local Enterprise Partnership is proud to be leading the national debate on the future of the Hertfordshire located, globally significant, film and television sector, says Mark Bretton.
Let LEPs get on with a job we’re doing well
As we build our recovery, it would be a travesty to lose the capability of LEPs just when local communities and businesses need it most, says Mark Bretton.
Fears councils could be cut out of LEP role
Councils may be stripped of their role in the governance of local enterprise partnerships (LEP) by an ongoing all-options-on-the-table government-led review.
Is Slough the canary in the mine?
Heather Jameson says it’s hard to reconcile Robert Jenrick's vision of a ten to 20-year plan for local places with 'a system that sees councils’ finances lurch blindly from year to year, on a promise of a three-year deal that fails to materialise.'
An opportunity to build back from the ground-up
With lockdown restrictions still in place and post-COVID economic recovery just getting started, now more than ever strong leadership from the public and private sector is needed to deliver at a local level, says Anne Boyd.
Lack of support held back local industrial strategies
Local leaders must be given a say in the Government’s Plan for Growth as it prepares to replace the national Industrial Strategy, a report by MPs has concluded.
The future is already here
Success can only come from choosing our battles - and our timing - well, and working for change collaboratively across the sector, says Abdool Kara.
