Since the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) were scrapped in 2010 it has been the LEPs that have taken up the role of providing economic support to areas through additional skills support; advice and loans for business growth through Growth Hubs; and infrastructure investment. The role of LEPs has grown in importance since they were given responsibility to develop a local industrial strategies to support the UK Industrial Strategy.
Though the government’s review of LEPs, that recognised this additional responsibility, has like many other areas been delayed. Nevertheless, the work LEPs undertake continues and CBI is at the heart of shaping it.
Engagement with LEPs has put us in a strong place for communicating member priorities in the regions. Rick Blackmore, CBI Director for East Midlands was recently appointed to the Greater Lincolnshire LEP Competitiveness Board and I am now a standing member of the Leicester and Leicestershire Business Board.
We have established a member-led group to provide business views as the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP releases its evidence summary and early priorities. The LEP’s lead on industrial strategy attends the sessions which demonstrates the value placed on good business engagement. Shared regional priorities are emerging, such as the importance of the HS2 Toton Hub; ensuring manufacturing remains competitive; and supporting the food and drink sector (informed by our Food Supply Chain Forum).
There are signs that regional collaboration is improving across the East Midlands where it is recognised that economic impact is shared – such as the East Midlands Development Corporation which seeks to maximise the economic benefits and align the various plans for East Midlands Airport, the Toton Hub and Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station.
Leicester and Leicestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) recently produced a draft of its local industrial strategy, aiming for final publication in March next year. To support the development of the strategy, an evidence group was convened made up of representatives from the LEP, local councils and universities - CBI was the only business group represented. CBI members will have a chance to share their views on the draft strategy next month at an event hosted by De Montfort University, details to follow.
If you are interested in learning more about our work with LEPs or shaping emerging local industrial strategies across the Midlands please contact me.