NEWS LEP gathers momentum
The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership is making great strides, both galvanising businesses in the area and ensuring our voice is heard in Whitehall. Business West and a number of our members are making a major contribution by providing the necessary resources to give Chairman Colin Skellett the support needed to make the most of the opportunities it provides, following the demise of the Regional Development Agencies.
A successful bid into the Regional Growth Fund brought Business Minister, Mark Prisk, to Filton and he was full of praise for our efforts, particularly the way that we had ensured there was broad representation on the LEP Board from a variety of business interests. The LEP followed that up with a meeting between the chairman and the chief
executives of the local authorities with senior civil servants from the Department for Transport, which was an opportunity to continue to lobby for five transport schemes competing for limited resources. In addition
Board members met local MPs at a special event in Westminster to ensure they were fully briefed on developments. Probably the most exciting issue to be resolved is the site of the Local Enterprise Zone, which will provide a major magnet for inward investment. Planning regulations will be relaxed and there will be a discount on business rates. Six sites have been identified as having the necessary potential. Whilst at the time of writing no final decision had been made on which was the right choice, what is known is that without a Local Enterprise Partnership the Coalition Government would
not have given this area an Enterprise Zone. They are Avonmouth/Severnside, Spark,
Temple Quarter, Locking, Filton and Bath Western Riverside. A process has been put in place for one to be selected and PricewaterhouseCoopers has agreed to independently audit the process. All areas have the opportunity to gain from the chosen Local Enterprise Zone as the LEP will be aiming to use funding generated from the designated Enterprise Zone across The West of England and potentially in the other key areas of growth which could be designated Enterprise Areas.
Meanwhile, ten sector groups have been formed and are starting to have some very profitable exchange of ideas on how more jobs and economic growth could be created. They cover creative; advanced engineering, aerospace and defence; micro-electronics; low carbon industries; tourism; financial and professional services; retail and distribution; construction and development; social enterprises; and the rural economy. If you would like to know more about the
West of England LEP or you would like to join a sector group please contact
james.durie@businesswest.co.uk
Meet the best of Bristol’s businesses
Network Central which has been running for three years has introduced some exciting new changes to this year’s event. These include an early bird speed networking session and a working lunch. Exhibitors will automatically get lunch included in the cost of their exhibition space and event organiser, Rod Major, says they expect lots of attendees will want to join the working lunch session which is open to all for just £25.00pp. After lunch, Network Central’s MC William Montgomery from ASKTEN, will introduce
Business West Update JULY/AUGUST 2011 Green light for
Gloucestershire LEP Businesses from across Gloucestershire received a boost in May with the announcement by Government to give the go-ahead for a Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Backed by Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce,
Gloucestershire First, local
MPs and a host of key resident businesses, the Gloucestershire LEP represents over 25,000 resident businesses an economy of £10 billion.
With a focus upon the four key priorities of; Investment, Connection, Skills and Promotion the successful submission joins the existing 33 LEP areas from across the country as a private sector led partnership, seeking to support growth and jobs in the area. With agreed partnerships now covering 94% of the UK population, attention is drawn to those areas in the South West which remain without an LEP, including the authority areas of Swindon and Wiltshire, both of whom previously collaborated with Gloucestershire in a failed LEP bid at the end of last year.
“THIS IS A REALLY POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT,WHICH WILL PLACE BUSINESS RIGHT AT THE HEART OF PLANS FOR FUTURE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE”
at new look Network Central Network Central Bristol is a one-day opportunity for businesses to make business contacts in every possible sector. The event supported by Business West takes place on Tuesday 5 July at the Bristol City Football Stadium, Ashton Gate, Bristol from 10am until 3.30pm.
the events’ speakers: Robert Craven (The Directors' Centre), Brad Burton (MD 4Networking), and Katie Hopkins (former Apprentice contestant). Rod Major (pictured) from Network Central said: “We believe these exciting changes will make Network Central unique and give exhibitors and visitors a very different experience. We want to deliver what businesses want and welcome feedback on the changes.”
For more information or to book a stand visit
www.networkcentral.me
Commenting on the announcement, Suzanne Hall-Gibbins, director of Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is a really positive development, which will place business right at the heart of plans for future economic growth in Gloucestershire. As well as looking to build strong relationships with neighbouring local enterprise partnership area, the LEP provides a fantastic vehicle to build upon public and private sector links, as we look to grow both jobs and the economy across the county. “Although this is just the start, a dedicated effort from all those involved has ensured that businesses from across Gloucestershire face a bright and prosperous future”. LEP chairman, Diane Savory said: “My own experience at Supergroup PLC demonstrated to me that
Gloucestershire can foster fast business growth. Now, I want the LEP to be the organisation that produces a completely fresh and positive ‘can-do’ commercial environment in the county.”
5
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32