LEP Will Be One Of The Largest
Posted on 02. Mar, 2011 by editor in News & Articles
The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is to become one of the largest in the country.
Redditch and Wyre Forest have become members, joining East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Tamworth, Bromsgrove and Cannock Chase in addition to Birmingham and Solihull following a meeting of the LEP Development Board.
Interim chairman Bridget Blow (pictured) said: “We are delighted at this development and excited to work with business and local authorities from North Worcestershire in the interests of our local businesses and communities. The Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP is now one of the largest in the country with a population of two million people and 950,000 existing jobs. We have the enthusiasm and drive to work together to create and support a globally competitive knowledge economy –which is the natural home for Europe’s entrepreneurs and wealth creators.
Councillor John Campion, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council said: “Wyre Forest District Council, as part of the North Worcestershire group of councils, is delighted to be a member of Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP. We recognise the importance of LEPs as they will be central to regional growth. Being a member will mean we will be at the heart of the decision-making process and will it give us an influential role in the economic success of the area.”
Tony Hyde, Managing Director of Thomas Vale Construction Plc, said: “My business is one of many in the Wyre Forest that have deep and extensive links in the Birmingham area as well as in Worcestershire. The news that Wyre Forest will also be in the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP means that the needs of businesses in the district will be on the agenda in this important partnership as well.”
Councillor Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “I am delighted that our LEP continues to go from strength-to-strength. With the welcome additions of Redditch and Wyre Forest I believe we must now be one of the country’s largest, and most significant, representing a population of almost two million people.”
The Development Board has identified a number of areas to urgently deliver private sector- led growth and jobs.
They include supporting the runway extension at Birmingham Airport; improving planning regimes to promote growth; expanding access to finance for SMEs; developing an employer-led approach to skills and employment which sees young people, in particular, developing the attributes and expertise to work in local businesses; and providing effective and relevant business support and mentoring.
The Board is also exploring the potential to ensure LEP businesses are prioritised when it comes to servicing the LEP’s local authorities’ needs. The Development Board also committed to assisting local businesses in their applications to the second round of the Regional Growth Fund.
Ms Blow said: “We will develop a toolkit to assist in their understanding of the bidding process, Green Book status and state aid concerns.” She added that the Development Board were enthused by the level of response to advertisements for business non-executive directors of the LEP. “Over 80 responses were received which is testament to the important role local business people think the LEP can play in driving economic growth in the area. The Development Board will be looking to shortlist in the near future. While it will not be possible for all the applicants to be directly involved with the LEP Board, we hope that we will be able to utilise the skills, knowledge and enthusiasm of those who have applied to deliver the LEP’s priorities.”.
Background
With the abolition of Advantage West Midlands (AWM), the Regional Development Agency, the Government called for businesses and local authorities to form Local Enterprise Partnerships to create and drive economic strategy.
The Government made clear that Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), should form across local authority areas that have economies that are related and depend upon each other (‘functional economic geography’). It has also made clear that the business community will be an equal partner with local authorities in LEPs and that it will have joint-responsibility for creating an economic environment in which business thrives.
The Government has recommended that an independent business person chairs the LEP.
