Landmark LEP Review Welcomed by Chair

The Greater Lincolnshire LEP has welcomed the Government’s latest plans to bolster the work Local Enterprise Partnerships are doing to support economic growth across the UK.

The StrengthenedLocal Enterprise Partnerships review, published by Government ministers on Tuesday (24^th July), aims to strengthen all 38 LEPs by increasing their diversity and ensuring they are operating in a transparent way.

Key reforms in the review:

• Up to £20 million of additional funding between 2018 to 2019 and 2019 to 2020 to support the implementation of these changes.
• Further support for LEPs to consult widely and transparently on appointing new Chairs and improve board diversity.
• A requirement for women to make up at least one third of LEP boards by 2020 with the expectation of equal representation by 2023.
• A mandate for LEPs to submit proposals for revised geographies including removing situations in which two LEP areas overlap.

The review has been warmly welcomed by Greater Lincolnshire LEP Chair Ursula Lidbetter MBE.

Ursula said: “The Board of Greater Lincolnshire LEP welcomes publication of the Government’s review, Strengthened Local Enterprise Partnerships, and the next stage in the development of LEPs. 

“LEPs are further strengthening their capacity and capability in line with the recommendations of the review, some of which will be challenging and time-consuming.

“However it is vital that the review be underpinned by a matching commitment from the Government to equip LEPs with the funding and the means to deliver truly local strategies that will grow the productivity of the people, firms and industries of Greater Lincolnshire.”

The Communities Secretary, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, said: “This publication of the Strengthened Local Enterprise Partnerships policy represents a step change in approach for LEPs.

“We will continue our work to strengthen these leading institutions to develop ambitious strategies for growth and build an economy which is fit for the future.”