Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Page 1
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
Briefing South West Local Enterprise Partnerships update
Contact: Catherine Brabner, External Affairs Manager
Sarah Carr, External Affairs Manager
Patrick Murray, Policy Officer
Tel: 0117 9297388
Email: [email protected]
Date: September 2013
Ref: SWLEP0813
Registered office address
National Housing Federation, Lion Court, 25 Procter Street, London WC1V 6NY
Page 2
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
Briefing from the National Housing Federation
There has been a range of active engagement with the six Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) across the
South West. The National Housing Federation has supported members to clearly make the case about the
vital economic contribution that Housing Associations make to local economic growth. Each LEP is unique and
has a different level of understanding of housing related issues. However they are all working to similarly tight
deadlines to complete their draft investment strategies.
1.0 Introduction
This briefing provides members with an update on the latest activity concerning LEPs
in the South West. It covers each individual LEP, providing up to date information on
their structures, priorities, actions, funding streams and involvement with local housing
associations and the Federation. The briefing also provides a timeline of key actions for
LEPs in relation to development of their plans which will influence their priorities for
funding.
The detail of current funding streams is available in Appendix A. The Federation has
also recently published a briefing on opportunities to engage with LEPs following
detailed guidance issued by the Government to LEPs on Growth Plans and European
Funding. This briefing is available here: http://bit.ly/12U1pwB
2.0 Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly LEP
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly LEP was part of the first wave of LEPs to be
established and was launched in May 2011. The LEP has a website containing lots of
information about its activities at www.cornwallandislesofscillylep.com . A detailed
economic profile of the area is available from http://bit.ly/yrEEZi .
The LEP successfully bid for an Enterprise Zone which is centred on the airport in
Newquay and is called Aerohub Newquay. The Government have recently confirmed a
second Local Development Order, meaning that development can take place without
the need for planning permission. This will aid the development of the 35.5 hectare
business park.
More information available from http://bit.ly/yvhyTn .
Board members
The LEP board is made up of nine private sector members and five from the public
sector. They are:
Chris Pomfret, Chairman
Gaynor Coley, Eden Project
Chris Loughlin, South West Water
Richard Reed, formerly Fugro Seacore
Simon Tregoning, Classic Cottages
Gavin Poole, Foot Anstey LLP
Robert Davey, Bishop Fleming
Andrew Williams, Lanhydrock Estate
Page 3
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
Roland Tiplady, Ward William Associates
Anne Carlisle, Rector of University College Falmouth
John Pollard, Leader of Cornwall Council
Julian German, Cabinet Member for Economy & Culture
Tom French, Councillor, Cornwall Council
Dudley Mumford, Councillor, Isles of Scilly Council
Board member profiles are available here http://bit.ly/zImxZs . Board meeting papers
are available here http://bit.ly/yuF8SS .
LEP priorities
The LEP has released a strategy to 2020 alongside an eighteen month business plan and detailed evidence base which are available from http://bit.ly/ISJNoUU . The overall LEP target is that ‘by 2020, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly’s GDP per head will be above the 75% average for the European Union. By 2020 we will have exceeded the expected growth, in terms of GVA of the overall Cornwall and Isles of Scilly economy by an additional £338 million; per person employed this will be an additional £1,450 per annum’. The strategy outlines four priorities for the LEP:
1. Inspiring business to achieve their national and global potential
2. Creating great careers here
3. Creating value out of knowledge
4. Using the natural environment responsibly as a key economic asset The key items within the strategy and business plan for housing associations are:
The strategy recognises the role of infrastructure in supporting business growth and aims to create ‘business aware’ planning strategies by influencing decision makers. However within the eighteen month business plan all actions around this are focused on transport infrastructure.
Housing is mentioned in the context of the green agenda with the LEP keen that all new builds, including housing, are leading edge environmentally. The business plan includes actions around supporting the development of eco-construction (including the St Austell and Clay Country eco-community) and championing low impact construction. Within the business plan lifetime the target is for the construction industry to produce a sector interpretation of the LEP strategy.
The LEP is taking action around superfast broadband access and has secured RGF funding for this purpose.
There is only a very limited mention of housing within the LEP strategy and business plan. This was raised by the Federation and others during consultation on the draft strategy. However we understand that Cornwall Council is very keen to retain the strategic lead on housing in the area and that the LEP board has therefore opted not to play a more active role on housing at this time.
The original LEP prospectus is available from http://bit.ly/nB22999 .
LEP structure
The LEP has identified a number of sub-groups which it will work with to support the
delivery of its business plan. These include an Enterprise Zone board, Employment
and skills board, business growth & finance board, and a local nature partnership. More
details on the LEPs structures is given in the business plan here http://bit.ly/WunWZi .
Page 4
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
The LEP also supports a Business Consultative Group comprising membership
organisations and representative bodies who can disseminate information to their
members. The Federation is a member of this group (for more details see ‘housing
association involvement’ below).
For the purposes of drawing up their European Funding strategy, the LEP have set up
4 sub-groups under the headings of their priorities in the Economic Growth strategy.
These will be looking at ways to maximise the impact of the EU funding.
LEP secretariat is provided by Mel Richardson, 01872 224733 or email
Funding activity
The LEP successfully bid for £13m from the Regional Growth Fund (round two). The
funding will be split into two separate strands. The first strand will be competitive and
will provide small and medium sized businesses and social enterprises with capital
grants and investments to grasp the opportunities presented by superfast broadband.
The second strand will fund infrastructure projects in the marine, mineral, renewable
energy and aerospace industries which will unlock private sector investment.
In July 2013 a further £18m was awarded to 4 projects across Cornwall and Devon,
including to Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station.
The LEP received an allocation of £6.4m from the Growing Places Fund to provide
homes and jobs through unlocking stalled sites. This has been rolled together with the
other funding streams into a ‘Business Boost’ programme which was launched in mid
May. This brings together a suite of four investment funds totally £17m, these funds
are:
Business Investment for Growth (BIG)
Superfast Cornwall Fund
Business Catalyst Fund
Growing Places Fund
The Cornwall Development Company (CDC) has been commissioned to run the
‘Business Boost’ programme on behalf of the LEP. More details are available from
http://bit.ly/J6q2v9 and from http://bit.ly/JBpdZC. Specific information on accessing the
Growing Places Fund is available from http://bit.ly/J6qg5C.
The notional allocation of European Structural and Investment Funding to Cornwall &
Isles of Scilly LEP is 592m Euros.
Cornwall & Isles of Scilly LEP aim to cover 100% of the LEP area with Community Led
Local Development. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are the only less developed region
in the UK.
Community Led Local Development is delivered at a sub-LEP level and is designed for
small local community projects. It can be related to theme or target group and be used
in urban or rural areas. It can be supported by any or all structural funds. It is based on
a partnership of public, private, civil society actors combining to form a Local Action
Group and develop and deliver a Local Development Strategy. LAGs will cover
populations of 10,000 to 150,000, based on logical, functional geography with distinct
boundary that does not overlap with other LAGs.
Page 5
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
Housing association involvement
The LEP has undertaken a series of road show events to offer local businesses the
opportunity to engage with the LEP. Principle engagement with the business
community to date has been via the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce
(http://www.cornwallchamber.co.uk) and other existing local business forums. In April
2012 the LEP set up a Business Consultative Group comprising membership
organisations and representative bodies who can disseminate information to their
members. The group will be mainly a virtual one meeting once or twice a year. The
Federation has been invited to join this group, as the membership body for housing
associations. Additionally Robert Nettleton, Chief Executive of Coastline Housing, is
represented on the group. Robert is also the housing association representative on the
Cornwall Public Sector Group, responsible for delivering the Future Cornwall
framework, which provides another opportunity for influence on the LEP agenda
(http://bit.ly/yibEhP).
The LEP has established an email distribution list through which they circulate
information and updates. This is open to anyone with a local interest and you can sign
up by emailing [email protected] and asking to join the LEP database. There is also
scope for influence by inputting directly into the consultations which the LEP run from
time to time, details of which are circulated via the email list.
If you are involved with the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP or have any information to
add to this briefing please do let us know by emailing [email protected]
3.0 Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole LEP
The Dorset LEP is one of the most recent LEPs to be established and was launched in
May 2012. It covers the county of Dorset including the unitary authority areas of
Bournemouth and Poole. The LEP has its own website www.dorsetlep.co.uk. A
detailed economic profile of the area is available from http://bit.ly/HFy2ke.
The Dorset LEP has already demonstrated interest in housing by releasing £1.5m to
fund the development of 11 family homes in Boscombe via a Community Land Trust.
Further details are available here http://bit.ly/18Y2l2e
Board members
The LEP board has been approved and is made up of ten representatives from the
business sector, four local authority representatives and a representative from each of
the higher and further education sectors. They are:
Gordon Page, former chair of Cobham plc (Chair)
Philip Warr, PH Warr plc (Deputy Chair, property & construction champion)
Alison Moore, President of Dorchester Chamber of Commerce
Bruce Grant-Braham, tourism/Bournemouth University
Terence O'Rourke, creative industries & planning
David Ramsden, Political and Parliamentary Advisor (leads Growing Places steering group)
Geoffrey Smith, tourism (Chair, Dorset Employment & Skills board)
James Weld, Lulworth Estate
Jim Stewart, harbour/shipping
Jitinder Takhar, Spectrum Housing
Matthew Bennett, Bournemouth University
Lawrence Vincent, Bournemouth & Poole College
Page 6
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
John Beesley, Leader Bournemouth Borough Council
Elaine Atkinson, Leader Borough of Poole Council (health & social care champion)
Ray Nottage, Leader Christchurch Borough Council
Alex Picot, Chief Exec Dorset Community Action
Richard Rowney, finance, Vice Chair Bournemouth & Poole College
Spencer Flower, Leader Dorset County Council
Terence O’Rourke, planning, Governor of Arts University College, Bournemouth
Pen portraits of the members of the LEP board are available at http://bit.ly/K2tILj.
LEP priorities
The Dorset LEP’s mission statement states that its overall aim is to deliver growth
through business enterprise whilst safeguarding the environment.
Its fundamental objective is to improve the performance of existing businesses in
Dorset, whilst also encouraging the creation and growth of new ones. It will support a
strongly performing, productive and sustainable economy, characterised by boosting
higher paid and better skilled jobs.
It will do this in three key ways:
Enhancing the skills of Dorset’s current and future workforce
Improving digital and physical connectivity, particularly via high-speed broadband
Creating the right conditions for enterprise, driving forward integrated spatial and infrastructure planning across the county, providing more affordable housing, and emphasising the need to be ‘open for business’, especially in more rural areas.
Alongside the vision, the LEP identifies key priorities as
Creating a global hub for international trade and business, focussing on Bournemouth Airport and the Ports of Poole and Portland
Achieving excellent high-speed broadband
Advancing integrated spatial and infrastructure planning across the whole conurbation
Planning positively for sustainable economic growth, emphasising the need to be “open for business”
Capturing the Olympic legacy across the entire LEP area
Securing opportunities from offshore renewables
Creating a culture of enterprise and improving employability skills, working with schools, colleges and employers to develop an enterprise friendly curriculum
Reviewing and implementation of the Dorset Employment and Skills Strategy
Positively embracing the role of older people within the economy of Dorset
Encouraging businesses to “go global”
Encouraging the work of, or development of, sector-specific advisory bodies.
The LEP has 4 main projects:
Talented Dorset – Enhancing the skills of our current and future work force
Connected Dorset – Improving the electronic and physical connectivity, particularly through high speed broadband
Responsive Dorset – Creating the conditions for enterprise to flourish including a responsive planning and development framework and a dynamic housing market
Page 7
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
Competitive Dorset – Improving the performance of existing businesses and to encourage the creation and growth of new ones.
The original LEP prospectus, submitted to government in June 2011, is available from
http://bit.ly/II4OxU.
Bournemouth is one of the areas identified as part of the second wave of city deals
(see section on Growth Deals above.) The LEP will have a role in working with the
councils in the economic area to develop their proposals.
The LEP are holding a Growth Conference on the 11th October looking at future
priorities for growth. Details are available via http://bit.ly/15GYHZr
LEP structure
The LEP board is supported by number of business led sector groups. These include a
group for health and social care and another for property and construction. This group
aims to reduce the impact of any constraints from planning, skills and access to finance
on the property and construction sector. They intend to develop a Dorset LEP planning
charter to make planning in Dorset more business friendly. Alongside these groups
there will also be specific groups focusing on the four priorities of the LEP, i.e.
Competitive, Talented, Connected, and Responsive. A diagram setting out all the
groups is on page 14 of the LEP framework (available here http://bit.ly/VftvaW.)
There are also direct links to business organisations and networks such as the local
Chambers of Commerce and Federation of Small Business. Housing associations are
recognised as one of the types of business the LEP will engage with, and Jitinder
Takhar of Spectrum recently joined the Dorset LEP board.
The LEP secretariat is led by David Walsh, Economic Development Manager, Dorset
County Council. [email protected] 01305 224254
Funding activity
The LEP was allocated £9.6m from the Growing Places Fund. This is being
administered on behalf of the LEP by Dorset County Council. £6.5m of the fund has
already been allocated to six projects, details of which are available from
http://bit.ly/KjSFSe. They include several housing related schemes, including the
Community Land Trust in Boscombe, transport and access for two key development
sites for housing and commercial space at Hamworthy, Poole, expansion of
employment and residential units in the Castle Court development at Osprey Quay,
Portland, and a proposal at Upton Farm Poole for the purchase of land to enable the
creation of 10,000 homes and 13,700 jobs has been submitted.
The LEP are keen to further develop their pipeline of potential investment schemes to
plan for the reinvestment of funds or to be ready to take advantage of any further funds
provided by Government. For more details or to discuss this further contact David
Walsh via [email protected] or on 01305 224254.
Bournemouth has been included within the second wave of the City Deal initiative and
has the opportunity to bid for additional freedoms and flexibilities in return for increased
economic growth. This bid will also cover the Poole conurbation and the local
authorities will be submitted their proposals to Government in early January.
The notional allocation of European Structural and Investment Funding to Dorset LEP
is 47m Euros. The LEP consulted on their priorities for European funding in July, and
the Federation made a submission on behalf of members supporting the financial
Page 8
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
instrument for the green retrofit of social housing. The submission can be obtained by
emailing [email protected]
Housing association involvement
The interests of housing are represented on the Dorset LEP Board via Board Member
Jitinder Takhar of Spectrum Housing Group. The Federation is successfully working
with members to develop links with the LEP and has supported the development of a
Dorset LEP Housing Providers Group which has met several times. The group has
developed three work streams including Employment, Health and housing and Stalled
Sites. The outcomes of the work streams are actively informing the work and growth
strategy of the Dorset LEP.
You can sign up for the Dorset LEP newsletter here http://bit.ly/UVgbcP.
If you are involved with the Dorset LEP or have any information to add to this briefing
please do let us know by emailing [email protected]
4.0 Gloucestershire LEP
The Gloucestershire LEP was approved in August 2011. It covers the Gloucestershire
County Council area including the districts of Cheltenham, Cotswold, Forest of Dean,
Gloucester, Stroud and Tewkesbury. The LEP has a website at www.gloslep.co.uk. A
detailed economic profile of the area is available from http://bit.ly/ImB5vR.
Board members
The LEP board is made up of a number of representatives from the private and public
sector alongside representatives from the education and skills sector. They are:
Diane Savory (Chair), Supergroup Holdings PLC
Michael Tripp (Vice Chair), Ecclesiastical Insurance Group
Roman Cooper, AllCooper Security & Fire Protection Ltd
Steve Hawkins, MOOG Controls Ltd
David Owen, GFirst & Glos LEP
Adam Starkey, Green Gourmet Ltd
Stephen Marston, University of Gloucestershire
Greg Smith, Gloucestershire College
Councillor Chas Fellows, Leader Gloucestershire County Council
Councillor Stephen Jordan, Leader Cheltenham Borough Council
Neill Ricketts, Versarien
Dr Claire Mould, OPENhouse, Chair of Gloucestershire VCS Alliance
Biographies for all LEP board members can be found here http://bit.ly/12EnACL.
LEP priorities
The Gloucestershire LEP published a ten year vision for the area in October 2012. This
aims to ensure the county reaches its economic potential and outlines the key
economic projects and actions needed to support the economic growth of the LEP
area. The document can be found at http://bit.ly/UZ1jPz.
The strategy does not include any specific targets or ambitions around housing.
However one of the three main aims of the document is to ensure ‘an infrastructure that
supports economic growth’ which includes activities around ensuring ‘a planning
Page 9
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
system that delivers efficiently and consistently for business’. This includes ambitions
to achieve the following by 2022:
£8.4 million of Gloucestershire Infrastructure Investment Fund successfully
delivered and recycled
Standardisation of planning processes, procedures and timescales across the
County
Measurable year on year improvement in the business perception of the planning
process
Within the section on skills there are ambitions to grow the number of apprenticeships
within Gloucestershire.
The original LEP prospectus, submitted to government in April 2011, is available from
http://bit.ly/IIbtIy.
Gloucestershire LEP issued a “Growth statement” as a basis for their Growth Plan in
March, available here http://bit.ly/14YPWWT
The LEP are currently consulting on the future priorities of their Growth Plan. More
detail is available here http://bit.ly/1cCHwMm
The Federation have made a submission stressing the importance the delivery of
affordable housing for Gloucestershire. The submission can be obtained by emailing
LEP structure
The LEP board is supported by industry Sector Groups. A Business Advisory Group
ensures that different sectors speak to each other. A Business Membership Group
brings together bodies such as the Federation of Small Businesses, Chambers of
Commerce etc. The LEP board is also connected to Leadership Gloucestershire to
ensure communication with the public sector at the highest level. A diagram showing
the LEP structure is here http://bit.ly/ZZdayI.
There are a range of sector groups including one on construction and infrastructure.
This group is chaired by Robin Butler of Kier and Two Rivers Housing have a place on
the group. To date it has been involved in joint core strategy planning and the Growing
Places Fund. It aims to continue to influence the planning process and address future
skills shortages by improving perceptions of the industry. It also aims to encourage
local influence and control over capital funding. More details, including terms of
reference, membership and current projects is available from http://bit.ly/T5OD9q.
There is also a green technologies sector group, more details here http://bit.ly/VaAHcR.
The LEP promotes an ‘Ambassador’ scheme whereby local business people can
champion Gloucestershire. More details are available from www.gl-am.com.
The LEP secretariat is provided by GFirst, which is a countywide economic partnership.
The key contact is David Owen, Chief Executive of GFirst, on 01452 328300
Funding activity
Page 10
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
The LEP was allocated £8.5m from the Growing Places Fund which they used to
establish a Gloucestershire Infrastructure Investment Fund. More information on the
fund from http://bit.ly/15ykhS9
The notional allocation of European Structural and Investment Funding to
Gloucestershire LEP is 38.3m Euros. The LEP consulted on their priorities for
European funding in July, and the Federation made a submission on behalf of
members supporting the financial instrument for the green retrofit of social housing.
The submission can be obtained by emailing [email protected]
Housing association involvement
There is no housing association involvement on the LEP board. However, following a
meeting with the LEP Chief Executive, Two Rivers Housing (based in the Forest of
Dean) has representation on the LEP Construction and Infrastructure task group. The
Federation has been working with members to develop links between the LEP and the
existing GAHLF (Gloucestershire Affordable Housing Landlords Forum) and a meeting
is being held on 25 October.
Interested parties can join the Gloucestershire LEP email list or enquire about joining a
sector group by contacting [email protected].
If you are involved with the Gloucestershire LEP or have any information to add to this
briefing please do let us know by emailing [email protected]
5.0 Heart of the South West LEP
The Heart of the South West LEP was approved in early 2011. It covers a large
geographic area including Somerset, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. The LEP has a
website at www.heartofswlep.co.uk. A detailed economic profile of the area is available
from http://bit.ly/I2R2tg.
Board members
The LEP board is made up of a number of representatives from the private and public
sector alongside a representative of the education and skills sector. They are:
Tim Jones, Chartered Surveyor/Commercial Property Developer (Chair)
Nicholas Ames, Managing Director Supacat Ltd.
Simon Barker, Director Strategy and Alliances UK Government Business, Agusta Westland
Frances Brennan, SW Regional Director, Working Links
Adam Chambers, Chief Executive Officer, Peninsula Enterprise
Nick Engert, Consultant to Clarke Willmott LLP
Vaughan Lindsay, Chief Executive, Dartington Hall Trust
Dr Stephen Bird, Operations Director, South West Water Ltd
Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader, Plymouth City Council
Councillor Andrew Leadbitter, Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, Devon County Council
Councillor David Hall, Deputy Leader, Somerset County Council
Gordon Oliver, Mayor and Leader of Torbay Council
Professor Wendy Purcell, Vice-Chancellor, University of Plymouth
Sean Fielding, Director of Research & Knowledge Transfer, University of Exeter
Rachel Davies, Principal, Somerset College
Chris Garcia, Chief Exec of the LEP
Page 11
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
Information on the board including a profile of each member is available from
http://bit.ly/WgoEXZ.
LEP structure
The LEP has established a Business Forum which is open to all local businesses
(more details including a sign up form here http://bit.ly/RuSR8I). Drawing from this
forum a Business Forum Executive Group has also been established to take forward
actions and develop the detail of the LEP’s policy priorities. Details of the membership
of the Executive Group is available here http://bit.ly/TySA4A.
The LEP also has 4 special interest groups on social enterprise, low carbon, transport
and planning. More detail is available here http://www.heartofswlep.co.uk/special-
interest-groups
The LEP also has a twitter account @heartofswlep and does a regular email bulletin.
You can sign up to receive this at http://bit.ly/VkYZi2.
The LEP is supported by a very small team of two staff. The Chief Executive is Chris
Garcia, appointed in June 2013.
General enquiries to the LEP can be sent via email to [email protected] or
telephone 01752 847135.
LEP priorities
The LEP has produced a three year business plan which can be downloaded from
http://bit.ly/S6RqyW.
The vision of the LEP is to create more sustainable jobs by supporting and promoting
our enterprises and capitalising upon the unique opportunities existing in the Heart of
the South West.
Beneath this are four strategic priorities:
1. Drive Productivity and Enterprise o Increasing Productivity and Competitiveness o Stimulating Innovation o Securing Business Investment
2. Attract New Business and Investment o Increase both the numbers of businesses exporting and the value of
exports o Stimulate inward investment o Secure European Funds o Capitalise upon being a Gateway Location
3. Maximise Employment Opportunities o Develop a high quality workforce to meet business needs o Increase the availability and take up of apprenticeships o Instil a culture of enterprise, life-long learning and career progression
across all business sectors 4. Promote Infrastructure to Connect with Markets
o Address existing and future constraints on business growth o Maximise the opportunity and benefit that BDUK investment in superfast
broadband infrastructure brings o Support the development of a variety of housing options to complement
our economic growth o Ensure that business growth and enterprise is promoted and supported
through the planning system
Page 12
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
The Federation strongly welcomes the explicit recognition of the impact that housing
can have on economic growth within the business plan. This is something we have
lobbied the LEP about in face to face meetings, in written submissions and via
members who are involved with the LEP.
On housing the business plan says (p8):
Opportunity 3: Support the development of a variety of housing options to
complement our economic growth
It is crucial that future housing development plays a role in maintaining a stable
workforce and is a driver of inward investment. This will help differentiate the
HotSW as a location to invest. Social infrastructure and appropriate affordable
housing are important community outcomes
Initiative: Work with planners and developers to encourage a joined up
approach to future housing development to secure our economic prosperity.
The original LEP prospectus is available from http://bit.ly/JXH2zj.
Funding activity
The LEP has been allocated £21.5m from the Growing Places Fund. Two competitive
bid rounds have taken place to identify appropriate schemes for assistance. Members
active in the area were alerted to this opportunity. The bid rounds have now closed.
Details of projects funded through round one is available from http://bit.ly/O4Mrvr.
Devon County Council and Somerset County Council, alongside the LEP, was
successful in bidding for £2.9m from the Rural Growth Fund. They are one of five areas
to develop a programme to improve the rural economy. The £2.9m investment is
expected to boost the rural economy by £40m by providing the opportunities and
infrastructure rural businesses need to grow. More information is available from
http://bit.ly/VZWzIi.
Plymouth has been included within the second wave of the City Deal initiative and has
the opportunity to bid for additional freedoms and flexibilities in return for increased
economic growth. The deal focuses on the marine science sector. Full details are
available here http://www.heartofswlep.co.uk/consulting/plymouth-and-peninsula-city-
deal
The notional allocation of European Structural and Investment Funding to Heart of the
South West LEP is 118.3m Euros.
The LEP consulted on their priorities for European funding in July, and the Federation
made a submission on behalf of members supporting the financial instrument for the
green retrofit of social housing. The submission can be obtained by emailing
Housing association involvement
The Federation has established strong links with the LEP and the chair, Tim Jones,
and Chief Executive, Chris Garcia. Regular quarterly meetings have been set up
between a group of Chief Executives of Housing Associations with stock in this area
and Tim Jones and Chris Garcia and this has led to a Memorandum of Understanding
being developed.
There is no housing association involvement in the LEP board. Several housing
organisations are involved with or have attended Business Forum meetings as has the
Federation. Involvement with the Business Forum is open to any local businesses, a
Page 13
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
sign up form is available on the website here http://bit.ly/RuSR8I. The LEP can also be
followed on twitter at @HeartofSWLEP and you can sign up for email updates at
http://bit.ly/VkYZi2.
There is one housing association that is a member of the LEP Executive Group which
supports the Board, this is Knightstone Housing Group. The contact is Wendy Lewis on
01823 624235 [email protected]
If you are involved with the Heart of the South West LEP or have any information to
add to this briefing please do let us know by emailing
6.0 Swindon and Wiltshire LEP
The Swindon & Wiltshire LEP is one of the most recent LEPs to be established and
was approved in August 2011. It covers the unitary authority areas of Swindon and
Wiltshire. The LEP has a website at www.swlep.biz. A detailed economic profile of the
area is available from http://bit.ly/FO6RDt.
Board members
The LEP board was approved in February 2012 and is made up of a number of
representatives from the private and public sector alongside a representative of the
education and skills sector. They are:
Paul Johnson (Chair), former chair of Knorr Bremse Rail Systems (UK) Limited and chair of Wiltshire Strategic Economic Partnership
Nicky Alberry, GWE Business West (Vice-chair)
Rob Angus, Nationwide
David Ashmore, GreenSquare Group
Mark Barnett, The Consortium
Councillor David Renard, Leader Swindon Borough Council
Graham Dean, Herman Miller
Brigadier Piers Hankinson MBE, 43 (Wessex) Brigade
Councillor Jane Scott OBE, Leader of Wiltshire Council
Steve Stone, Chair of Wiltshire Colleges
Peter Wragg, Owner of Widbrook Grange Hotel and Chairman of Visit Wiltshire Limited
Sir Christopher Benson, multiple business interests including being a former chair of the Housing Corporation and president of the British Property Federation
Neil Holt, banking sector
James Phipps, Excalibur Communications
Board member profiles are available here http://bit.ly/VzyBDy alongside individual
email addresses. This LEP has housing association representation at board level
through David Ashmore, Chief Executive of GreenSquare Group.
LEP structure
The LEP is clear that its role is as a strategic body, supporting and commissioning
projects, not delivering them. The primary delivery channels for the LEP are the two
unitary authorities together with Forward Swindon, Influence (the Economic Partnership
for Swindon) and Enterprise Wiltshire, formerly the Wiltshire Strategic Economic
Partnership.
Beneath the LEP board a number of sub-groups have been formed including:
Page 14
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
Job creation, skills and education
Advanced engineering
Life sciences
Finance and business services
Tourism
Growing places funding
Stimulating growth
Communications and marketing
Others including Economic Infrastructure and one looking at Low Carbon/Renewables
are in the process of being formed. Generally the sub-groups are led by LEP board
members but many of them bring in people with relevant expertise and interests and
are being used to seek views, ideas and engagement with the wider business
community.
The LEP secretariat is provided by:
Primary contact: Steve Richards, [email protected], 07748658230
For Swindon issues: Ian Piper, [email protected], 01793 429256
For Wiltshire issues: Alistair Cunningham, [email protected],
01225 713203
LEP priorities
The LEP has developed a business plan for the period Jan 2012 to March 2015. This is
available from http://bit.ly/VmB81F. In the light of experience and given the developing
role of LEPs as indicated in the Heseltine review and Chancellor’s Autumn Statement
the Board is about the review, update and revise its business plan.
The LEP has identified four strategic objectives which are listed below. Alongside this
the LEP acknowledges the significant military presence within the area and aims to
utilise the economic potential of this as a cross cutting theme across all priority
objectives. The four priorities are:
1. Encouraging inward investment o Including putting in place a portfolio of deliverable employment
land/strategic sites that have a streamlined planning process and built infrastructure, and successful utilisation of the Growing Places Fund and Regional Growth Fund
2. Stimulating growth in our local economy o Including encouraging larger businesses and the public sector to open
up their supply chains to smaller local businesses o Also includes focusing on the regeneration of the principal urban areas
(Swindon, Chippenham, Salisbury and Trowbridge) as well as supporting sustainable growth in rural areas and market towns
3. Creating jobs and skills o Including supporting apprenticeships o Also includes working with delivery partners on the provision of
affordable housing to support/encourage employment mobility/availability
4. Building upon our existing economic infrastructure o With a focus on transport and broadband
The Federation strongly welcomes the recognition by the LEP of the role housing can
play in supporting economic growth. However at present the business plan only
identifies specific actions for 2012/13 and with the exception of the Growing Places
Page 15
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
Fund there is no detail of specific activities around the housing or planning priorities
identified above.
The LEP has identified three economic zones where they will focus their efforts to drive
economic growth. These are the M4/Great Western mainlines corridor, A350 corridor
and A303 corridor.
The original LEP prospectus, submitted to government in July 2011, is available from
http://bit.ly/UnYti5.
Funding activity
The LEP has been allocated £9.4m from the Growing Places Fund. After an initial bid round in May 2012 the LEP has recently announced a new round of bidding for the Growing Places Fund. This money can be used to unlock development to deliver jobs and housing. The deadline for applications closed in early January 2013 (more details at http://bit.ly/104uReI and http://bit.ly/UKvGai) but organisations wishing to discuss potential schemes are encouraged to contact the LEP Secretariat any time as some funding might be available.
The LEP has been selected by DEFRA as one of six pilot Rural Growth Networks to
support growth in rural businesses. The project has a clear military focus and aims to
boost the job prospects of the partners of servicemen and women based at a number
of garrison towns. £1.9m is being invested by Government in this project which aims to
create over 200 jobs. More information on the Wiltshire project is available from
http://bit.ly/Q0x0RP. More information on Rural Growth Networks more generally is
available from http://bit.ly/GJPiXK.
Swindon and Wiltshire have been included within the second wave of the City Deal
initiative and have the opportunity to bid for additional freedoms and flexibilities in
return for increased economic growth. The local authorities, together with the LEP, will
be submitting their proposals in early January. They have already indicated that this will
focus on three economic zones – M4 corridor, A303 corridor and A350 crescent. More
details here http://bit.ly/S6Zn2u.
The notional allocation of European Structural and Investment Funding to Swindon &
Wiltshire LEP is 43.6m Euros.
Housing association involvement
The LEP board was confirmed in February 2012 and includes a business
representative from the housing association sector. This is David Ashmore, who
recently retired as Chief Executive of GreenSquare Group.
A date has been set in October for an invited list of Housing Association Chief
Executives and the NHF to meet with the Chair of the LEP to discuss housing delivery
in the area.
The LEP can also be followed on twitter at @swlep.
If you are involved with the Swindon and Wiltshire LEP or have any information to add
to this briefing please do let us know by emailing [email protected]
7.0 West of England LEP
The West of England LEP was part of the first wave of LEPs to be established and
builds upon the previous strong partnership working between Bristol, South
Page 16
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
Gloucestershire, North Somerset, and Bath and North East Somerset. The LEP has a
website with considerable information on its activities www.westofenglandlep.co.uk. A
detailed economic profile of the area is available from http://bit.ly/zjqK4D.
The LEP successfully bid for an Enterprise Zone which is centred around the area of
Temple Quarter to the north and east of Bristol Temple Meads railway station. More
information available from http://bit.ly/VzF6pO. Additionally five other places have been
given Enterprise Area status which aim to bring benefits and make development easier.
These are Avonmouth/Severnside, Bath City Riverside, Bristol and Bath Science Park
(Emersons Green), Filton Airfield, and Junction 21 Weston-super-Mare. More
information on each of these areas can be found here http://bit.ly/137PYh1 and details
of immediate plans can be found at the back of the LEP business plan here
http://bit.ly/TAOau2.
Board members
The LEP board is made up of a number of representatives from the private and public
sector alongside a representative of the education and skills sector. They are:
Colin Skellett, executive chairman of Wessex Water, Chairman
Katherine Bennett OBE, vice president and head of political affairs at Airbus
David Sproxton, co-founder of Aardman
Robert Sinclair, chief executive of Bristol Airport
Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bath
Professor Joe McGeehan, University of Bristol
Paul Crossley, Leader, Bath and North East Somerset Council
George Ferguson, Mayor, Bristol City Council
Nigel Ashton, Leader, North Somerset
John Calway, Leader, South Gloucestershire
Board member profiles and board minutes are available here http://bit.ly/Wam9WL.
LEP structure
The LEP has a complex structure of sub-groups and cross-cutting theme groups to
support its activities. A diagram together with contact details for group chairs is
available from http://bit.ly/ZjHiF2.
There are four cross-cutting thematic groups which underpin the work of the LEP
board. These cover:
Skills
Inward investment & promotion
SME business support
Infrastructure and place (led by Cllr Tim Ball, BANES)
There are eleven sector groups which each focus on a key sector. These are self-
servicing and self-governed. These include groups for:
Construction & development (led by Simon Prescott, Barton Willmore)
Low carbon industries (led by Caroline Macdonald, Oggadoon)
Social enterprise (led by Stephen Parsons)
Alongside this there is also a stakeholder group which links through to the public sector
bodies in the area, and a business advisory group. The infrastructure and place group
links through to the four unitary authorities joint planning, housing and communities
board (details of this group here http://bit.ly/ZjJ6hg.)
Page 17
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
Paul Wilson is the new Chief Executive of the LEP. Contact details for the LEP are as
follows:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0117 903 6868
LEP priorities
The board have agreed a LEP business plan for 2011-13 which is available from
http://bit.ly/TAOau2. This outlines the key priorities for the LEP and the immediate
actions arising around these alongside details of the various sub-groups of the LEP.
Measures by which the LEP will determine its success:
95,000 new jobs by 2030
3.4% annual growth in GVA by 2020
Over £1 billion of private sector investment over the next 5 years
A well motivated workforce with the skills to meet business need
The foundations for a long‐term sustainable economy
LEP priorities as outlined in the business plan are:
Effective working: LEP (and Board) culture ensuring a commitment to working in a
entrepreneurial way
Tackling barriers to business growth (this includes an immediate focus on transport
systems and skills but also refers to adequate and affordable economic housing
provision)
Supporting ‘anchor’ businesses (i.e. existing and future major employers)
Putting the West of England on the map, lobbying for investment etc
Growing the green economy
Successful enterprise zones and areas
Areas within the business plan outlined for immediate action focus upon: transport
infrastructure, apprenticeships and skills, securing inward investment both from
business and from Government to the LEP, support for the environmental technologies
sector, encouraging energy efficiency, and support for the various enterprise zones and
areas.
On housing and planning issues the LEP, alongside the unitary authorities, has already
produced a West of England planning toolkit which is available here
http://bit.ly/10YulAZ. The infrastructure and growth group has been actively looking at
the issues around unlocking housing delivery. A workshop on this topic was held in
November 2012 resulting in agreement to develop a protocol aimed at unlocking
housing delivery in the short term. The Federation has been and will continue to be
involved with this initiative.
The original LEP prospectus is available from http://bit.ly/K75CNx.
Funding activity
The LEP has successfully bid for Regional Growth Funding of £39m to create a fund to
invest upfront in infrastructure to unblock obstacles and release employment and
mixed-use sites at priority growth locations across the LEP area. Added to this is
£16.9m of the (£17.1m total) Growing Places Fund allocation the LEP received. This
has created a £56.7m Revolving Infrastructure Fund (RIF) which aims to enable the
delivery of infrastructure required to unlock or serve development that will bring about
economic and/or housing growth. The RIF is a revolving fund in that all funding that it
releases should be repaid to it. More details are available from http://bit.ly/UMyG6Z or
contact Antony Corfield on 0117 903 6866 or email
Page 18
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
[email protected]. Details of the successful schemes from the first
round of the RIF are available from http://bit.ly/Z4H7uj.
A growth and innovation fund has been established to help employers support skills
within their organisation or supply chain. More details here http://bit.ly/XqIPsH.
The LEP has also received £1.26m for Green Skills Green Jobs which will be used to
support jobs growth and retraining in the area of retrofitting energy saving products to
existing housing and commercial premises. More details here http://bit.ly/Rwq8jV.
Bristol was amongst the first round of the City Deal programme through which the
government agreed to devolve new responsibilities to give the city flexibility to support
economic growth. The deal aims to deliver an additional 40,000 jobs and over £1bn of
investment. The deal includes the city retaining and investing an element of business
rates, and the creation of a Public Property Board to manage public sector land and
property assets to unlock more land for economic growth or housing. More information
here http://bit.ly/X5Nb4l.
The notional allocation of European Structural and Investment Funding to the West of
England LEP is 68.6m Euros.
Housing association involvement
There has been extensive engagement between Housing Associations and the West of
England LEP including a recent meeting between Paul Wilson, the LEP Chief
Executive, the NHF and an invited group of Housing Association CEOs and
Development Directors.
The complex array of sub-groups which form part of the LEP structure are outlined
above. Although there is no housing association representation within the LEP board
the sector is well placed within the structures supporting the board:
Nick Horne, Chief Executive of Knightstone Housing Group, is a member of the
infrastructure and place group
Phil Stephens, Development and Commercial Director at Sovereign, is a member of
the construction and development group
Mike Day, Development Director for Knightstone and Catherine Brabner, External
Affairs Manager for NHF are both on the affordable housing delivery sub group.
Victor Da Cunha, Chief Executive of Curo, is a nominated representative from the
voluntary sector onto the LEP stakeholder group
Several associations have had involvement with the social enterprise group
Outside of the formal structures there are occasional consultative conferences and
events, such as one held in December 2012. Reports and presentations from this event
will shortly be available from http://bit.ly/Wicgq8.
The LEP is active on twitter at @WofEnglandLEP.
If you are involved with the West of England LEP or have any information to add to this
briefing please do let us know by emailing [email protected]
Page 19
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
8.0 LEP timetable
•October 7th 2013 LEPs submit draft plan to Government
•End of January 2014 LEPs submit final draft of EUSIF strategy to Government
•March 2014 LEPs develop a pipeline of projects with local partners for the delivery of European funding
•Mid - late 2014 European funds released for spending
European Structural Funding
Strategies
•October 2013 LEPs update Government on progress with Strategic Economic Plans
•December 2013 LEPs submit draft Strategic Economic Plans
•March 2014 LEPs submit final Strategic Economic Plans
•July 2014 Government announces Single Local Growth Fund offer to LEPs and concludes Growth Deal negotiations
•April 2015 Growth Deals implemented
Growth Plans
Page 20
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
APPENDIX A – Funding streams
Regional Growth Fund and Growing Places Fund
The Government is keen to use LEPs and Enterprise Zones as a way of focusing resources onto economic
growth. Two key sources of funding for LEPs are the Regional Growth Fund and the Growing Places Fund.
The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is a £3.2bn fund operating across England from 2011 to 2016. It supports
projects and programmes that lever private sector investment to create economic growth and sustainable
employment. Funds are accessed through competitive bidding and three rounds of the fund were allocated
totalling £2.4bn. Successful projects are listed here http://bit.ly/RItWjo. Selected bids from round four of the
RGF, totalling £506m, have recently been announced and are available here http://bit.ly/WzKxr2. Following the
June 2013 Spending Round allocation of a further £600m to the RGF, ministers are considering the scope and
timing of Round 5. It is expected that announcements will be made in autumn 2013. For more information visit
http://bit.ly/WzKxr2.
The Growing Places Fund (GPF) totals £770m with each LEP being allocated a share of this funding. The
money must be used to help boost economic growth by getting the required infrastructure built to enable the
creation of new jobs and homes by getting stalled projects moving again. The fund can be used to establish
revolving funds to take forward a range of projects that can help facilitate economic growth, jobs and house
building in the local area.
Each LEP has different arrangements for agreeing which schemes will be supported by the GPF. Some LEPs
invited competitive bids whilst others used local intelligence, including in many cases the Local Investment
Plans, to agree their priorities. As at August 2013 some LEPs have allocated all their GPF monies whilst
others still have some funds available.
More information on the GPF is available from http://bit.ly/rV1XU1. Information on all LEP allocations is
available from http://bit.ly/Hy4kvJ.
The Single Local Growth Fund and Growth Deals
The Single Local Growth Fund
The recent independent report from Lord Heseltine, ‘No stone unturned in pursuit of growth’, sets out a vision
for economic growth driven through unleashing the potential of local economies. In the 2012 Autumn
Statement the Chancellor set out the government’s first response to this review. This included giving Local
Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) a greater role in local economic development with LEPs being resourced to
produce strategic plans to promote local growth.
Looking beyond April 2015 the Government plans to devolve a greater proportion of growth-related spending,
on the basis of LEP’s strategic plans, by creating a single funding pot for local areas. Lord Heseltine’s report is
available from http://bit.ly/YtaLvY and the Federation’s briefing on the Autumn Statement is available from
http://bit.ly/YOljWn.
In the June 2013 Spending Round the Chancellor announced that the Single Local Growth Pot would total
£2bn a year, from 2015 onwards, totalling £10bn over the next parliament. The annual funding pot will include
£1bn from the Department of Transport, £500m for new skills and training, and £400m through the New
Homes Bonus, £250m from DCLG and £150m from LG. The Federation’s briefing on the June 2013 Spending
Round is available from http://bit.ly/18uRHjf .
Growth Deals
LEPs will be required to communicate their outline growth plans with the Department of Business Innovation
and Skills (BIS) at the end of September 2013, before producing a first draft at the end of December 2013.
Final drafts of growth plans will be published in March 2014. BIS will announce Growth Deals, including
Page 21
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
flexibilities and any funding granted through the competitive bidding process, in July 2014. It is expected that
growth plans and European funds will be aligned.
Government has recently issued guidance to LEPs on Growth Deals, identifying housing associations as key
partners. This guidance can be accessed via: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/growth-deals-initial-
guidance-for-local-enterprise-partnerships
The Federation’s briefing on the Government guidance on Growth Deals and European funding can be found
here http://bit.ly/12U1pwB
A second wave of ‘city deals’ was announced in October 2012 and will see twenty cities and their wider areas
compete for deals that would see government devolve powers in exchange for these areas delivering higher
local economic growth. Each city and their LEP will be invited to put forward proposals to address a significant
local economic issue which requires a transformative approach. There will be an element of competition and
not all areas will get a deal. Within the south west Bristol has already negotiated its city deal and
Bournemouth, Plymouth and Swindon/Wiltshire are all within wave two. Initial proposals were submitted in
January 2013 with the aim of completing the deals by November 2013. More details here http://bit.ly/Q1whoo.
European Structural & Investment Funding
European Structural & Investment Funds
In March 2013 the Government announced that European Funding for 2014-2020 would be allocated to LEP
areas. The European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund and part of the European
Agricultural Fund for Rural Development will be combined into a European Structural and Investment Fund.
The key priorities of the funds are:
ERDF – innovation, SMEs and low carbon
ESF – skills, employment and social inclusion
The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development has yet to be announced, but Defra have identified 4
types of activities for LEPs. These are building knowledge and skills in rural areas, funding and developing
new micro, small, and medium sized rural businesses, funding small scale renewable and broadband rural
investments, and rural tourism activities.
Cross cutting themes are sustainable development and equality, and social innovation.
All LEP allocations can be seen here http://bit.ly/137seru
Whilst the ESIF can support a wide range of activities the most relevant proposal for housing associations is a
proposed revolving loan fund for retrofitting social housing. This is one of six national opt-in prospectuses; e.g.
LEPs will have the opportunity to apportion some of their ESIF allocation to a national financial intermediary to
manage the fund and deliver against agreed performance criteria. The Federation has worked with the
European Investment Bank (EIB) to develop this proposal which is now included in Government guidance
issued to LEPs.
The proposed social housing financial instrument aims to create a strong local market for energy improvement
works. Housing associations would borrow money to undertake retrofit and potential new build (non ERDF
funded) projects. The borrowing would take place on competitive lending terms with long repayment schedules
and potential for limited grant funding alongside loan finance. A project portfolio would be developed in close
partnership with the relevant LEP team and any “opt-in” contribution from the LEP would be ring-fenced.
Aligning the project portfolio to housing associations’ existing asset management plans has the added benefit
that work will swiftly begin once the LEP area SIF Strategy and funding is confirmed. SIF funding will be able
to leverage significant institutional investment (via the European Investment Bank); as the instrument brings
Page 22
Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
the added value of reducing bureaucracy and finance cost (critical mass) by providing a professional social
housing finance intermediary at national level, whilst the LEP retains control over projects in its locality.
This financial instrument would deliver a key number of benefits:
Benefit local firms: a secure pipeline of projects would give local SMEs the
certainty to invest in skills training and apprenticeships
Low carbon economy: kickstart the low carbon sector via investment in existing
and new homes
Reduces grant dependency: a market-led revolving loan fund could be more
sustainable
Integrated project: local employment, training and apprenticeships (ESF)
integrated into capital investment projects, e.g. new construction/retrofit (ERDF)
In order to progress with the financial instruments LEPs will have to express an interest to opt-in to the
revolving loan fund which would then be delivered by a professional social housing finance intermediary. The
opt-in would need to be included in LEPs European Structural Investment Strategies. LEPs have until Monday
7th October 2013 to submit their draft European Structural Investment Strategies for the use of their funding
allocation, with plans finalised at the end of January 2014 following a period of consultation with Government.
More information about the financial instrument can be accessed via http://bit.ly/1e5MPlj (see section 5 of the
opt-in prospectuses) and the Federation briefing paper on the funding mechanism for the green retrofit of
affordable housing via http://bit.ly/18zI1nN
The Local Impact Fund
This is designed for social sector organisations to access. It is a potential mix of grant, loan, debt. National
actors like Big Society Capital will contribute, but there is also potential for local actors like housing
associations, CCGs, Universities, LAs to put funding in to drive the social sector. There are 2 pilots this year,
with further guidance to be issued in 2014.
The Local Impact Fund and a programme of business and investment
readiness support will enable:
Start up, incubation, scale up and growth of Social Sector Organisations in
deprived areas;
Communities to invest in local assets;
Capacity Building support for individuals, teams and organisations; and
Investment readiness support.
There are opportunities to seek funding from ESIF for other projects and activities that housing associations
might plan to undertake, including for example Community Led Local Development.
Housing associations should explore with their LEP the wide range of regeneration projects that could be
funded via ESIF in their neighbourhoods. Further information on funding priorities can be accessed via
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/224089/13-1049ann-framework-
of-european-growth-programme-priorities.pdf
If you have any specific questions please contact [email protected]
