SP3: Speakers: Regeneration and growth Ron Dougan Chair, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP and Chief Executive, Trent & Dove Housing David Frost Chair, LEP Network Tony Bray Area Director, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills West Midlands Chair: Nick Horne Chief Executive, Knightstone Housing Group www.housing.org.uk
Funding
Local Enterprise Partnerships provide the vision, knowledge and strategic leadership needed to drive sustainable private sector growth and job creation in their area.
work with Government to set out key investment priorities, including transport infrastructure; co-ordinate Regional Growth Fund; support high growth businesses; support on the development of national planning policy; lead changes in how businesses are regulated locally; strategic housing delivery, including pooling/aligning funding; help local workless people into jobs; co-ordinate approaches to lever private sector funding; explore opportunities for developing incentives on renewable energy projects and Green Deal; and Support delivery of other national priorities such as digital infrastructure Combined Authorities
Regional Growth Fund ( 2.5bn) LEP supported Growth and Jobs Programme: 4m Rounds 1-3: 24m (10 company projects) Round 4: 6 further bids (awaiting outcome) Rounds 5&6: announced in CSR Growing Places Fund ( 730m) Focus on infrastructure Recyclable Fund 84% ( 567m) allocated
What are they? Gvmt. tasked LEP s to identify key blockages to growth LEP to draft plan to address Negotiation with Government to deliver No new money LEP has to deliver! First Wave City Deals in place 2 nd Wave now in process
Energy Keele Stoke Smart City Sites 8 strategic sites all linked to energy Skills National skills pilot Research/Innovation AMRIC CEESR Growth hub
Heseltine No Stone Unturned Decentralisation the key to growth 50bn - 10bn CSR Formula/competitive process LEP Strategic Growth Plan Other resources and levers
Preliminary LEP guidance issued 15 April EU funding ( 5.3bn): European Regional Development Funds (ERDF); European Social Fund (ESF) and Rural Development 161.6m (approx 140m) for 2014 20 Priorities innovation and R+D; SME support, low carbon economy, skills, employment, social inclusion DCLG, DEFRA and DWP will contract projects
National Housing Federation - Annual Conference 18th September 2013 David Frost CBE Chairman LEP Network
Localism Much of my working life on this Agenda Chambers of Commerce defined by LEPs Latest in a string of initiatives to encourage local growth: LENs/ TECs/CCTEs/City Challenge/ RDAs Real Localism or local initiatives signed off by Whitehall and accountable to them?
What are LEPs for Many of the Barriers to growth are local in nature: Infrastructure Links/ frustration with Planning and development control/ regulatory action/ skills and employability LEPs are the focal point of engagement between business and local authorities on the practical measures needed to build successful local economies
Common Themes across LEPs A real passion for economic development A desire to make each LEP area the best place to do business An understanding of the significant socio-economic problems that are faced in many local economies That these problems need joined up action, at the heart of which is strong and real partnership between the private and public sector They are not replacements for RDAs Strengths: Common Vision/ Shared Priorities/Influence
My view of what LEPs need to do and are doing A realistic assessment of the area: Competitive advantage What are the key 200+/- companies and other bodies that are driving the economy a thorough understanding of their dynamics How do they see their future over the next 5 years What are the local barriers to growth What can a LEP realistically do to drive the economy? A sectoral focus
Heseltine The game changer LEPs set up 2 years ago and were ticking along Oct 12 No stone unturned Many recommendations placing LEPs centre stage, but key: LEPs to lead the development of a long term strategy and business plan for their area to be used to bid for economic growth funds This was confirmed when Ministers wrote to LEP Chairs following the Autumn Statement.
The Single Pot The Single Local Growth Fund Announced in late June 2bn for 2015/16 A reasonable start Capital 1.45bn Guidance now being developed How much allocated by formula vs competition How much central clarity vs guidance in developing the Local Growth Deal
Housing A key issue in certain parts of the country Importance of the Sector to the economy Business understands link between growth, jobs and housing The growth of population New Homes Bonus Affordable Housing 17
Localism Hopefully we are on the cusp of a real change, an understanding that Central Government cannot do everything The SLGF is a real start Let local initiatives flourish some LEPs may fail LEPs will have to show Accountability/ Visibility and that they can make a real difference Skills and employability are at the heart of their agenda Get involved!
Annual Conference and Social Housing Exhibition 18 20 September 2013 www.housing.org.uk