'The State We're In' VSNW Conference Local Enterprise Partnerships 22 nd November 2012 Neil McInroy Chief Executive, CLES

What i CLES? Independent charity Economic development but with social fairness and within limits of environment Publishers: Established 1986 Planners, geographers, local government, environmental scientists, economists Hybrid; research, consultancy, members Leading UK member org for research into Economic development About CLES

Evaluate social, and economic programmes Make Economic Development Strategies Analyse place policy and assess local economies Make, interpret, dissect and lobby for policy Help to develop new ideas for places What does CLES do? Train/brief local government members

A key element of the Local Growth White Paper 2010 which set out the transition from RDAs to LEPs Partnerships between local authorities and businesses Driven by the private sector Aim to reflect ‘real’ economic geographies There are 39 approved LEPs across England… Local enterprise Partnerships

Specific policies

A key part of the coalition government’s ‘pro-growth’ agenda Enterprise Zones Regional Growth Fund Growing places fund Based on the principle traditional economic growth, Increasing GVA, and the belief that increased wealth will ‘trickle-down’ to the most deprived people and places… LEPs Local enterprise Partnerships

Today’s approach PUBLIC ECONOMY COMMERCIAL ECONOMY SOCIAL ECONOMY The bad economic journey we CAN’T be on?

Today’s approach PUBLIC ECONOMY COMMERCIAL ECONOMY The nightmare economic journey we CAN’T be on?

Today’s approach PUBLIC ECONOMY COMMERCIAL ECONOMY SOCIAL ECONOMY The Economic journey we could be on?

Today’s approach PUBLIC ECONOMY COMMERCIAL ECONOMY SOCIAL ECONOMY The journey we should be on?

Today’s approach PUBLIC ECONOMY COMMERCIAL ECONOMY SOCIAL ECONOMY The journey we are on?

LEPs Just doing what is needed to make government happy Real economic levers lie elsewhere Different types of LEPS: a mere formality

Different types of LEPS: Image conscious Looks good, sound good, probably well organised, politically savvy and build on existing relationships. How will it challenge traditional ways of working that may act as a barrier to economic growth? Will they be interested in talking about challenges such as worklessness/poor skills?

LEPs Keen to see wins, development of business infrastructure, capital investment in infrastructure. Strong focus on operation. But… Are they strategic enough? Can they see the bigger picture? What evidence are they using to inform delivery? Different types of LEPS: Delivery focussed

LEPs Keen to ensure that the structure of the LEP is right, that systems in place to support the running and function of the LEP But… May be worrying to much about structures and process. Relationships may be still developing and fragile. May become too bogged down in the bureaucracy and lose momentum Different types of LEPS: Process Driven

LEPs See their role as supporting the development of stronger networks between public, private partners in a locality in order to encourage innovation, investment and raise confidence But… May be perceived as talking shop, may replicate the work of business networks, outcomes may not be tangible enough to get buy in from business Are they doomed to success? Different types of LEPS: Facilitating

LEPs £250k for public funding Better boundaries Civil servants allocated to LEPS Ministers associated with LEPS Local government duty to have regard to economic development Recommendations from Heseltine review: no stone unturned

LEPs Should have a plan of action- how and where you connect? More resources may go through them Some LEPs may be more sympathetic to social and voluntary sector Good vehicle for engaging with business Should the Voluntary sector bother?

Centre for Local Economic Strategies . Website. Phone. (0044)