Skills and Competitiveness Board 15 th November 2010

1. Skills and Competitiveness Board15th November 2010

2. Background The West of England submitted a proposal to form a LEP on 6th September 2010 based on the West of England: • Representing a functional economic area • Having a strong existing private-public partnership • Having a strong economy with key strengths in: • Advanced engineering, silicon design and micro-electronics • Aerospace, defence and composites • Creative and cultural media • Environmental technology and marine renewables

3. Current position • West of England one of 24 successful bids announced on 28th October • One of only two in the South West • Successful proposals had: • A strong level of business engagement and support • A natural functional economic area • A clear vision in terms of local economic priorities • Clear demonstration of how the LEP will create the right environment for businesses and growth, over and above what would otherwise occur • Thank you to all those who contributed to the proposal – it was a tough deadline to meet but we did it!

4. Current position (2) • White Paper on Local Growth published on 28th October • This sets out Government’s general approach to LEPs • Opportunities emerging regarding: • Regional Growth Fund • Growth Hubs • Technology and Innovation Centres

5. Next steps • Need to establish an Interim LEP Board as soon as possible to: • Facilitate LEPs development • Influence Government on LEP’s functions and capability (in response to the White Paper) • Promote the new LEP to the West of England business community and nationally • Manage the transition from current arrangements

6. Interim LEP Board • Government guidelines for LEP governance arrangements are: • Half the Board representing business • Half the Board representing local authorities • Prominent business leader in the chair • Robust and clear governance arrangements to ensure proper accountability for delivery • Propose small focussed interim board with people, place, business sub boards operating on business principals with a clear business plan.

7. Interim LEP Board membership • Some criteria for identifying Interim LEP Board business members could be: • Business people with a national/international profile with government and business • Working in key growth sectors as per bid • Range of locations within West of England • Ability to interact and be influential with government • Ability to interact and give confidence to potential investors in the area • Voices for the West of England rebalancing debate

8. Potential Interim Board members • Who meets these criteria in the West of England? • Sectors to nominate high profile representatives

9. What does this mean for the West of England Partnership? • The LEP priorities of People, Business and Place cover the majority of current West of England Partnership activity • It therefore makes sense for the LEP to replace the WEP • The Interim Board should manage this transition • It is expected that the current WEP sub-boards and committees continue, (perhaps with some refocussing to ensure alignment with LEP priorities), until the interim board establish what delivery mechanisms are required

10. Conclusion • Immediate next steps are: • Sectors to make nominations to the Interim LEP Board • Establish Interim LEP Board • Continue discussions with Government about powers and resources the LEP has to achieve its objectives • Identify opportunities for submissions to funding streams