Lancashire’s LEP, a strategic collaboration between business, universities and local councils, was formed in 2011, with a remit to direct economic growth and drive job creation. Since then, it has played a central role in coordinating the county’s economic priorities.
Debbie Francis, LEP chair, said: “While the government’s decision to cease the funding of Local Enterprise Partnerships from April 2024 is disappointing, the need for business collaboration with local authorities remains crucial to enable the delivery of economic growth and prosperity in Lancashire.
“The business community’s sector-specific and unique industry insights will help to ensure investment and policy interventions will have maximum impact which will benefit both residents and businesses as Lancashire realises its economic growth ambitions.
“As such, we are working closely with our public and private sector partners to ensure there remains a strong business voice which builds on the LEP’s significant expertise, experience, and legacy, that will help inform Lancashire’s future economic strategy.”
Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth at County Hall, says Lancashire’s business voice will continue to be heard.
He said: “The county council has a strong and proud record of determining key economic priorities, driving growth and helping to create new quality job opportunities across Lancashire.
“Furthermore, economic prosperity and ensuring our residents have the skills they need to succeed are enshrined in the Lancashire 2050 framework, which is supported by all 15 of our county, unitary and district councils.
“With a devolution deal on the horizon later this year, we know our businesses have a pivotal role to play and we are determined to ensure they continue to have a strong and important voice as we shape our future, and that we support them as fully as possible.”
A strong finish after an uncertain start: page 9
Views from Westminster
TIME TO GRASP OUR OPPORTUNITIES
By Antony Higginbotham Member of Parliament for Burnley
Earlier this year the chancellor announced he was minded to withdraw central government support for Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) from next April. For us, it means the end of the Lancashire LEP.
Last month, this decision was confirmed. While LEPs have had successes since their inception in 2011, I have always been a sceptic. At times they felt bureaucratic and cumbersome and lacked the level of transparency I thought they should have, given the amount of funding directed through them.
For those businesses and organisations ‘on the inside’ they worked well, but for the many small businesses that didn’t have a foot in the door, who I speak to often, they offered less. This isn’t any reflection on the excellent people who ran and worked in LEPs but is a broader reflection on the limits of unaccountable bodies.
Elected politicians at every level are accountable to the public – including the business community – for everything from regeneration and skills to health disparity, and so it is right that they hold a more formalised role. Accountability and responsibility should always go hand in hand.
With that in mind the government has, in recent years, shifted the funding model for projects away from LEPs and towards a system of working more closely with MPs
and local authorities. The Levelling Up Fund and Shared Prosperity Fund are two examples which are seeing tens of millions of pounds of investment being driven into Lancashire.
And with negotiations on a County Deal for devolution progressing well, this shift looks to be continuing in a way which could bring huge benefits for our area.
The remit of the LEP will, all being well, transfer to a new Combined County Authority. Whilst the full scope of powers for this body is yet to be established, it looks likely to cover economic development, housing, health, and more.
And because that is set-up to be a democratic and accountable body it will, by design, be closer to those on whose behalf it is working.
Over the last decade the LEP has made a real difference to our county. Regeneration projects are booming, and Lancashire is developing a name for itself.
With the arrival of National Cyber Force, the ramp up of design for the Future Combat Air System, the expansion of nuclear energy and so much more, our potential is huge.
Our collective task now, as MPs, councillors, business leaders, and anyone else we can mobilise, is to use the new structures being offered to grasp these opportunities.
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