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!
Collaboration is the way forward – one voice!
Comment by Amanda — August 16, 2010 @ 11:11 pm |
LEPs present a real opportunity for the private sector in all economic centres to introduce a method of connecting companies which need help and advice with those which can give it, in an efficient way. So many small businesses are held back from realising their potential, perhaps from shortage of finance in some cases, but more often because the people running them lack management and decision making skills. They very often have good ideas and plenty of energy but need someone with experience to guide them towards the right strategy and around the possible pitfalls. Mentors can do this, and also suggest when experts are needed to undertake IT, HR, marketing, finance, or other specialist functions. Ministers are quite keen on this idea, but whatever form it takes the business support function will be critical to the Government’s forecasts of economic recovery, and LEP bidders must recognise this.
Comment by Peter Watson — August 17, 2010 @ 4:43 pm |