Local Enterprise Partnerships – Frequently asked questions

Q. What are Local Enterprise Partnerships?
A. Local Enterprise Partnerships, also referred to as LEPs, will replace Regional Development Agencies, which are being abolished by the Coalition Government.  These will be joint local authority-business bodies in England brought forward by local authorities themselves to promote local economic development.

Q. How many Local Enterprise Partnerships are there?
In October 2010, Government announced the first wave of successful LEPs.  This first wave consisted of 24 LEPs, aiming to bring local business and civic leaders together to drive sustainable economic growth and create new jobs in their communities.  A further three LEPs were approved in December 2010.

These form part of a new plan for local economic growth, which sets out Government’s role in empowering locally driven growth, encouraging business investment and promoting economic development.

Q. What does government aim to achieve by inviting the development of LEPs?
A. Government’s main goal is to promote strong, sustainable and balanced growth.  The Coalition Government aims to rebalance the economy both sectorally and geographically, so that growth is not reliant on particular places.

The Local Growth White Paper, published in October 2010, set out Government’s new approach to sub-national growth, focusing on three key themes:

• Shifting power to local communities and businesses
• Increasing confidence to invest
• Focused intervention

Q. What opportunities are there for social enterprises to get involved?
A. The White Paper sets out the timetable and further criteria for the operation of the newly-launched £1.4bn Regional Growth Fund. The fund will provide focused investment for projects that offer significant potential for private sector-led economic growth and sustainable employment. Government includes social enterprise within its definition of ‘private sector’.  First round bids for funding are requested by 21 January 2011 (more information available via link below).

The Government has said that governance structures will need to be sufficiently robust and clear to ensure proper accountability for delivery. Government will enter into a discussion with LEPs about delivering the economic vision for their area, in parallel with progress to establish appropriate boards and governance arrangements. This leaves open possibilities for social enterprises to get involved in governance.

Q. Why should social enterprises get involved?
A. Social enterprises provide innovative solutions to problems based on local need whilst balancing economic, social and environmental outcomes. They are well placed to meet local challenges.  We want greater recognition of the role that social enterprises can play in the formation and development of LEPs and would like to ensure that they are adequately represented.  Because social enterprises reinvest back into the community, they contribute to growth that has a lasting impact on local areas.

Government sees a role for LEPs in providing strategic leadership in their areas to set out local economic priorities, tacking issues such as planning and housing, local transport and infrastructure priorities, employment and enterprise and the transition to the low carbon economy.  They will shape economic policy in localities including on matters that will impact on all businesses including social enterprises.

Q. How do I find out more?
A. For more information on the national landscape please contact jon.woolfson@socialenterprise.org.uk.  For more information about opportunities within your locality, please contact your regional social enterprise network.  You can find your network contact information here at http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/social_enterprise_search.php or in the document below.  More details about LEPs can be found on the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills website at http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/regional-economic-development.  Information on projects that qualify and how to bid for Regional Growth Fund can be found on the BIS website at http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/regional-economic-development/regional-growth-fund.  This includes information about regional roadshows and local BIS contact points.

 

The Social Enterprise Coalition has developed a guide to social enterprise for local government which can be found below.

Local Enterprise Partnerships - a guide to social enterprise for local government - December 2010