BLACK COUNTRY LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP (LEP) Tim Johnson (Walsall MBC) Tim Hair (Black County LEP Board Member)
LEPs - Opportunity & Challenge Presentation Outline Context for Local Enterprise Partnerships The Story so far and progress to date The Private Sector perspective on making the LEP a success
LEPs - Opportunity & Challenge The Context for LEP’s New model required to drive economic recovery and growth - Abolition of RDA’s Genuinely private sector led Basis of a new relationship with Government Focus on delivery – making things happen Removing ‘constraints’ to Growth Integrated and smarter use of resources
The Process so far……………. Black Country Submission – Sept 2010 Government approval- Dec 2010 LEP Board gained ministerial approval - Jan 2011 (One of first 2) LEP Board meeting monthly LEP Alliances beginning to emerge
Private Sector Stewart Towe CBE (Chairman) John McDonough Tim Hair Peter Mathews CMG Jason Wouhra Educationalist/Skills Prof Ian Oakes Local Authority Leaders Cllr Mike Bird Cllr Darren Cooper Cllr Roger Lawrence Cllr Anne Millward The BC LEP Board
Initial Priorities for the BC LEP each with a LEP Board Champion 1.Access to Finance & Investment 2.Business Advice & Support 3.International Trade 4.Education, Employability & Skills 5. Planning 6. Transport Improving the perception of the Black Country
Some of the Challenges ahead – the public sector perspective Continuing challenging Economic conditions – but some grounds for optimism The ‘Public Sector’ aligning itself to support private sector led recovery & growth Black Country positive and punching its weight Businesses genuienly engaged and leading
Making the BC LEP a success… The Private Sector perspective Tim Hair Chief Executive, Chamberlin plc BC LEP Board Member