Government Lobbied Over LEP Funding
News release
26th June 2013
The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership has joined forces with LEPs across England to call for millions of pounds in funding to be handed down by central Government.
The 39 LEPs say the Government must commit to a high level of investment in the Single Local Growth Fund recommended in the Lord Heseltine’s review so they can unlock private sector growth.
A collective letter signed by each LEP, including the Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Ursula Lidbetter, also calls for the private sector-led organisations to be involved in the development of the single pot strategy, and for the policy to be given a guaranteed five-year life-span.
An announcement on infrastructure and how much money will be allocated to LEPs nationally is expected tomorrow (Thursday 27thJune), following today's Comprehensive Spending Review.
David Dexter, Deputy Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “It is essential that we all work together to make the concept of the single pot a real success and the cornerstone of local economic growth. Without this clear and public support, the future for LEPs, and more importantly for local growth, will be far from assured.
“This fund has the potential to transform our national competitiveness and will allow us to drive growth by focusing funds on areas which are important to our region.
“It’s now vital that the Government signal its full commitment to an ongoing process of devolution, initially through a sizeable single pot allocation and a clear, unequivocal commitment to look at other budgets and activities associated with growth. The funding decision will be the first big test of the Government’s resolve to follow Heseltine’s advice.”
The Government has identified the three critical areas of transport, housing and skills for the fund, with money for elements of each of those being devolved to local LEPs. It is possible that other areas of funding for skills, regeneration, employment support infrastructure, housing, and business support could eventually be managed by the LEPs.
More in-depth decisions on how much money will be devolved to the Greater Lincolnshire LEP have not yet been made, with each LEP expected to submit a bid for funds, which will be handed out by 2015. Public funding worth £250,000 has already been allocated to allow the LEP to develop a Growth Plan for the area in support of its bid.
The LEP will be working with businesses in the private sector and public sector organisations to develop the plan.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
About the Greater Lincolnshire LEP
- The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership is a private and public sector partnership led by the private sector which aims to improve conditions for infrastructure and doing business in the Greater Lincolnshire area.
- One of the first LEPs to be established in the UK, the Greater Lincolnshire LEP covers a large geographical area with a population of over one million and a diverse range of industries, from ports and logistics to farming, tourism and engineering.
- It includes North and North-East Lincolnshire and the administrative county of Lincolnshire and is controlled by a LEP board made up of leading figures in the public and private sector.
- Lord Heseltine’s review, No Stone Unturned, is available to view http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/BISCore/corporate/docs/N/12-1213-no-stone-unturned-in-pursuit-of-growth.pdf
- The Government’s response to the review can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/188379/PU1465_Govt_response_to_Heseltine_review.pdf.pdf
Cerri Delaney
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