30/08/12

Business to shape the future of local economy says GC&GP; LEP

Local businesses, social enterprises, voluntary organisations and the public sector are being asked for their views on how to support the growth of the local economy in the future

The Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has drawn up a blueprint for economic growth and is asking businesses for their feedback on the draft document.

The Growth Prospectus builds upon feedback given to the LEP by businesses, social enterprises, voluntary organisations and the public sector on its key challenges, and looks at what specific actions need to be taken to help address them.

The Growth Prospectus outlines the key economic projects and actions needed to support the economic growth of the LEP area over the next three years, which include:

  • Boosting start up rates and improving access to enterprise finance
  • Supporting the field of science, industry and innovation to grow further and form stronger links with local manufacturers
  • Ensuring that education and skills provision better meet the needs of local business
  • Campaigning for a greater share of national transport funding to provide better infrastructure and transport services
  • Having the best superfast broadband network and connected society in Europe by 2015
  • Helping to restore construction supply chains and support the delivery of new homes
  • Attracting investment and supporting the growth of our internationally renowned low-carbon, knowledge-based economy
  • Supporting the delivery of an exemplar Enterprise Campus on Alconbury Enterprise Zone with high quality accommodation for start-up, grown on and new space

Mark Reeve, Acting Chair of the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP, said:

“We have listened to what businesses, social enterprises, voluntary organisations and the public sector have said are the key barriers to economic growth. Now we need their help again to select which elements we tackle first and what is most important to them. Our LEP can make a difference. We have the knowledge, enthusiasm and determination to break down barriers and make a positive difference. With your guidance we can tackle critical issues first to ensure that our area is vibrant and successful.”

The development of the Growth Prospectus has been led by the LEP’s Interim Executive Director – Dr Glenn Athey – who has over 15 years of experience within the field of economic development.

Glenn added:

“In drafting our Growth Prospectus we have worked hard to engage and promote issues that have been raised by local business, coupling this information with an economic appraisal of our LEP area, to create a targeted list of priority projects and actions. The LEP still has a relatively small team and limited resource. Therefore we must make some tough decisions and carefully prioritise projects that will overcome those key issues that have been holding back economic growth in our area and remain focused to enable us to achieve those aims.”

The consultation is open until 9th October 2012 and organisations can review the Executive Summary, Full Growth Prospectus and Economic Data online at: www.yourlocalenterprisepartnership.co.uk/growthprospectus

Views can then be submitted via email to [email protected] or by completing a short online questionnaire: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G9MF33C

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