It can’t have escaped the notice of consultants and advisors can it that the coalition government have announced that Regional Development Agencies are to be replaced by Local Enterprise Partnerships by March 2012?
What might be less common knowledge is that local councils have until just September 6th to discuss with their business leaders how best and just where to set up these LEPs. A meeting took place yesterday in London and you can catch up with that here. Then they are expected to have recommendations in place by the end of the year to go before the Regional Growth Fund chaired by Lord Hesletine according to this article.
It is therefore worth your while to make sure you get represented either on your own behalf, through your company or your local business network organisation. Secretary of State, Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable has himself suggested that representations should be made to local councils in relation to what private resources exist in their area. A letter to your local MP might also be useful.
So what course of action would you recommend to ensure we get a fair hearing? Let us know what you think. Most important, take some action before this passes you by. Come on!
