Local Enterprise Partnerships begin coordinated action

LOCAL Enterprise Partnerships from across the country have discussed how they can work together and with Whitehall to grow the UK economy.

Yesterday’s event was the first meeting of the LEP Network which is funded by the Government and organised by the British Chambers of Commerce.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Local enterprise partnerships have an important role to play in identifying opportunities for growth in their regions, and the 37 partnerships that we have approved across England are already working hard to address local challenges and bring local communities and businesses together.

“Sharing ideas across the network will enable the partnerships to have access to a variety of options for how they can further support local growth.”

The LEP Network is being led by former British Chambers of Commerce director general David Frost, who is one of the guest speakers at today’s Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce annual conference.

He said: “I have travelled the length and breadth of England in recent months, speaking to LEPs about their priorities for local growth. LEP chairs and board members have been quite clear: in return for committing their time and their energy, they want a hot-line to the top of Whitehall and Westminster to ensure they have the information, tools and resources they need to deliver new businesses, new jobs, and a stronger enterprise culture.

“Today, we saw that hot-line in action. In the months to come, the LEP Network will make sure that lines of communication between partnerships and LEPs remain open. We will work to ensure that partnerships can share their best ideas, and tackle common challenges around issues like infrastructure, training and company growth.”

In addition to Mr Cable, the conference was addressed by Communities Minister Greg Clark, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Transport Secretary Philip Hammond.