31/07/12
Discussing the future of the Network in coming months
It was an interesting experience for those that attended the meeting with Lord Heseltine in Birmingham. The purpose of the meeting was to gather LEP Chairmen together so he could get some informed input into his emerging Growth Review.
He was pains to point out that LEPs are key to local economic growth in the private sector. I think it is less clear as to how the Government or his Review sees this being achieved.
It is my view that it is now time for the LEPs to be both more constructive and assertive in defining their future role. The letter from James Newman proposes the establishment of a number of groups based on common interests, and this clearly finds much support across the Network.
What we need to do is to identify a limited, but significant set of issues, that we can group key Board members from across England around. I would suggest no more than six. What will be key is to focus on those of major relevance to the Network and on which we believe we stand a chance of having influence on the future.
These groups should not be about sharing best practice or telling others how well things work in their own patch.
The meeting in September will need to agree on these priority areas. I look forward to seeing you then,meanwhile have a good summer.
Yours,
David Frost
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2012
Blogs we like
- 'Towe The Line' from Black Country LEP Chair Stewart Towe
- Denys Shortt's Blog from the former Chair of the Coventry & Warwickshire LEP
- James Newman's Blog from the Sheffield City Region LEP
- Economic Development Blog from our very own Lorna Gibbons
- David Marlow's Blog - detailed analysis of economic development policy
- Adam Breeze Blog - on inward investment and local growth
- 'Coalface Entrepreneur' from Buckinghamshire Thames Valley LEP Chair Alex Pratt