Cause célèbre or cause for concern? Local enterprise partnerships one year on

If LEPs are expected to drive the Government’s growth agenda, they need the tools to do so. That means devolving further resources, powers and freedoms to capable LEPs and getting to grips with underperforming LEPs before it is too late.

Report published on 27 October 2011 by Tom Bolton

On 28 October 2010, Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles and Business Secretary Vince Cable proudly announced the birth of the first 24 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs).  The press release said that the partnerships would bring the public sector and business together to “take charge of the local economy” – driving growth, creating jobs and providing strategic leadership.

The first birthday of this initial wave of LEPs provides a good opportunity to reflect on progress towards these goals.  How fast are they growing up?  Does the evidence suggest they are becoming an effective mechanism for promoting local economic growth?

Cause célèbre or cause for concern? collates details on the activities of the 24 LEPs that have now been established for a year and finds progress is very varied, suggesting that the impact of the LEPs will be equally inconsistent.

If LEPs are expected to drive the Government’s growth agenda, they need the tools to do so.  The Government should consider devolving further resources, powers and freedoms to capable LEPs operating at the right scale, for example on transport and skills, and get to grips with underperforming LEPs before it is too late.

Selected coverage • The Telegraph • Financial Times • Planning • Estates Gazette • Manchester Evening News • Northern Echo • Birmingham Post

LEPs at one year

LEPs report card