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LEP submits bid for €46m funding


A bid for €46 million funding to develop the Solent economy has been submitted by the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).


The Solent European Structural & Investment Funds Strategy was developed by the LEP after consultation on funding priorities with more than 192 organisations and 300 local people.


Covering the six-years up until 2020, the strategy looks to build on the considerable strengths of the Solent area, with the marine and maritime sector a key target for investment. The approach also highlights the importance of


investing in emerging high-growth sectors, while recognising the importance of employment-rich sectors and the need to link local people to local growth and jobs.


The European funds are one of the three funding streams that together make up the LEP’s £2.4 billion Strategic Economic Plan, titled Transforming the Solent.


Since the draft strategy was submitted last autumn, the Solent LEP has also been allocated €2.9m from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, equivalent to £350,000 per annum over seven years.


SMMI links with Singapore


The Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI) at the University of Southampton has officially launched a joint laboratory in Singapore with the Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC) at A*STAR, Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research, to focus on maritime and offshore engineering research and development.


Attended by David Willetts MP, UK minister for universities and


science, the opening of the joint laboratory symbolised the continued commitment by the UK and Singapore to foster greater synergy and co-operation in moving the frontiers of science.


Willetts said: “As two of the world’s top proponents of scientific endeavour, the UK and Singapore celebrate 10 years of close cooperation in pioneering cutting- edge research innovation for global markets.“


Further changes in the final strategy include a broader approach to developing an employer-responsive skills system and an increased focus on provision of information, advice and guidance for young people looking to access work.


Solent LEP chairman Gary Jeffries said: “We are ambitious for the Solent and keen to see the area deliver on its huge potential.


“This strategy would not have been possible without the passion and commitment of local people and our collaborative approach. This has been a pioneering process


where local people who best understand the area and its needs have been put at the forefront of the process of deciding where to spend public funds to best effect.“


In order to ensure the plan reflected local priorities, the Solent LEP organised an extensive consultation process, which saw two events, each with more than 120 delegates, an online survey and interviews with key partners.


The UK Government will now be working to agree a national funding allocation with Europe and confirmation on funding for the Solent is expected mid-year.


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From left: Professor Don Nutbeam, David Willetts MP and Dr Raj Thampuran, managing director for A*STAR, at the opening ceremony


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – APRIL 2014 Please mention this publication when responding www.businessmag.co.uk


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