Local Enterprise Partnership

1. Local Enterprise Partnership The Way Forward

2. Current status of LEP proposition • Proposal went in early September • White Paper on localism setting out role of LEP 28th October • Letter confirming approval of LEP proposition received 29th October • “… our officials will be in touch shortly as you develop your plans.”

3. White paper on Localism – role of LEP • Business led bodies that represent real economic geographies • To support local authorities “…existing role in fostering and sustaining growth” • Manage the wind down and closure of the RDAs and to review key European funding for economic development • Continue to support the Capital’s role as we rebalance our national economy

4. This raises fundamental questions Guidance X X ?? X • Who is “business” and how will it lead? • What is structure? • What are resources? • What are the timescales? • What is the relationship between the LEP and the Growth Fund?

5. Resources LEPs will: • be expected to fund their own day-to-day running costs • consider how they can obtain the best value for public money by leveraging in private sector investment • (may) wish to submit bids to the Regional Growth Fund, but will not receive preferential treatment

6. Timescale • Unclear – but time is of the essence • “Partnerships should maintain momentum and move quickly to formally establish their board” • “Government will enter into a discussion with partnerships about delivery in parallel with progress to establish appropriate boards and governance “

7. What is West of England Partnership Position? • Proposition from leaders/chief executives to go to Partnership Board meeting on 29th November • Will indicate intention to establish shadow board by January 2011

8. What are the Private sector actions required? If this is to be “business led”, we need to: • arrive at broad consensus of form and function of LEP • secure views from key sectors • ensure private sector view is genuinely representative of whole business community • ensure accountability back to business

9. Key issues to be addressed • Governance • Legal status • Board representation from private sector • Negotiating process

10. Key issues to be addressed • Governance • board composition • mem and arts/terms of reference • protocols for meetings, officeholders (chair, vice-chair) etc. • sub-structure if any • Legal status • Board representation from private sector • Negotiating process

11. Key issues to be addressed • Governance • Legal status • Company Limited by Guarantee • Limited Liability partnership • A Community Interest Company • A trust • An unincorporated association • Board representation from private sector • Negotiating process

12. Key issues to be addressed • Legal status • Board representation from private sector • Availability • Representatives vs individuals • External profile • “Big hitters” • Internal profile • Recognised by business community • Understand the issues • Representation • Key sectors • SMEs • Innovation • Governance • Negotiating process

13. Key issues to be addressed • Governance • Legal status • Board representation from private sector • Negotiating process • Key responsibilities especially in relation to government agency functions (UKTI, lead sector responsibilities) • Clarification of the “how” in relation to the Action Plan and Approach • “asks” of government in LEP bid • Asset and liability transfer • Transition timetable (to establishment of LEP Board)

14. Private Sector has a lot to do! • Need to determine who represents the private sector to plan the way forward • Not shadow board, but a working group • Need to engage with the West of England Partnership to agree a way forward • Need to ensure it can express “business” views • We have to move quickly and take decisions quickly

15. My suggestion . . . • The Skills and Competitiveness Board is the most representative group in the West of England for: • Private sector • FE • HE • Third sector • Create a sub-group on behalf of the private sector, FE and HE to develop our thinking • Ensure there is wider group support to create accountability to the business community as a whole across the Partnership area . . . to act as a “sounding board” and validate output from the sub-group

16. My suggestions for the sub-group • Business – 7 members • Stephen Harrison • Malachy Mc Reynolds (Confederation of British Industries) • Nick Sturge (Institute of Directors) • Stephen Birch (Federation of Small Businesses) • Alan Bailey – Environmental Technologies • Martin Williams – GKN Aerospace • Phil Smith (GWE Business West) • Further and Higher Education • Fern Urquhart - Higher education • Keith Elliott – Further Education • Support group - Business • Dick Penny – Creative and Media • Bethan Evans (Business Services & Legal expertise) • Simon Bird – Port Company • John Savage – Health sector • Iris Eiting – Third Sector

17. Confirmation from this meeting • Is this the correct way forward? • Are we happy the right people are on the sub-group? • Are there any key messages/”direction of travel” wewant to give this group? • Are we happy that people from this sub-group represent business, in the short term, in negotiations with WofE Partnership and Central Government?

18. Key Issues • Shortage of Development Land • Inadequate Transport Infrastructure • Shortage of Housing Development • Business growing faster than skills base in some areas • Overreliance on limited number of major employers • Natural threats to sustainable growth (e.g. flooding, rising price of key utilities) • Pockets of serious worklessness • Lack of Integrated Action joining up planning, infrastructure, skills and housing interventions