Growth deals for local enterprise partnerships
The government initiated the formation of local enterprise partnerships (LEP) between local businesses and local authorities in 2010. They emerged from the coalition government’s localism agenda announced in the 2010 Budget.
The local growth white paper, published in October 2010, defined the function of local enterprise partnerships as partnerships between local authorities and businesses that decide investment priorities for sustainable economic growth across their local economic area. This can include investment in roads, buildings and other facilities.
The function of growth deals is to help boost growth around the country, with local enterprise partnerships deciding the priorities for investment in roads, buildings and facilities within their area. Funding is available to local enterprise partnerships from growth deals for local projects that are beneficial to the local area and economy, such as:
- Training young people.
- Creating jobs.
- Building new homes.
- Contributing towards the costs of large infrastructure projects, such as transport improvements and superfast broadband.
All 39 local enterprise partnerships reached agreement for growth deals in the 2014 tranche. An interactive map displays where the partnerships are located around the country. This was expanded in January 2015.
Further details on each of the growth deals is available on the Local Growth Deals website.
Examples of major projects include:
- £17 million to help improve the A2300 Burgess Hill link road to help relieve congestion and enable a large housing development.
- £15.8 million towards transport projects in Fareham and Gosport .
- £8.7 million in Greater Birmingham and Solihull to create new training facilities to help address skills shortages in the area.
- £5 million for the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing at Nottingham University to help train manufacturing engineers and fund research.
In November 2015, a study of early growth deals by Nathaniel Lichfield Partners (NLP) found funding was focussed primarily on transport schemes and that the level of private sector investment varied widely. Ref Devolving Growth? Local Opportunities for Strategic Infrastructure Investment.
In March 2016, Communities Secretary Greg Clark announced that England’s 39 Local Enterprise Partnerships would be able to apply for a share of £1.8 billion to support projects in their areas. Ref gov.uk.
However, a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of the National Audit Office, also published in March 2016, questioned the transparency of LEP’s and recommended clarification about how they fit with other bodies to which power and spending have been devolved, and suggested that specific quantifiable objectives and performance indicators were set out for the success of Growth Deals.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- Affordable housing
- City deals.
- Consultation process.
- Development corporation.
- Enterprise zones.
- Going for growth, Reviewing the Effectiveness of Government Growth Initiatives.
- Growth and Infrastructure Bill.
- Heritage perspectives on infrastructure.
- Local development orders.
- Local enterprise partnership.
- Local plan.
- Localism act.
- Planning permission.
- Simplified planning zones.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Registered building inspectors
Building types and conflicts of interest updates explaineed.
Engineering services still struggle with labour shortages
According to latest quarterly services survey of the sector.
Infrastructure that connect the physical and digital domains.
Harnessing robotics and AI in challenging environments
The key to nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering.
BSRIA announces Lisa Ashworth as new CEO
Tasked with furthering BSRIA’s impressive growth ambitions.
Public buildings get half a million energy efficiency boost
£557 million to switch to cleaner heating and save on energy.
CIOB launches pre-election manifesto
Outlining potential future policies for the next government.
Grenfell Tower Inquiry announcement
Phase 2 hearings come to a close and the final report due in September.
Progress from Parts L, F and O: A whitepaper, one year on.
A replicated study to understand the opinion of practitioners.
ECA announces new president 2024
Electrical engineer and business leader Stuart Smith.
A distinct type of countryside that should be celebrated.
Should Part O be extended to existing buildings?
EAC brands heatwave adaptation a missed opportunity.
Definition of Statutory in workplace and facilities management
Established by IWFM, BESA, CIBSE and BSRIA.
Tackling the transition from traditional heating systems
59% lack the necessary information and confidence to switch.
The general election and the construction industry
As PM, Rishi Sunak announces July 4 date for an election.
Eco apprenticeships continue help grow green workforce
A year after being recognised at the King's coronation.