Local Enterprise Partnerships
EXCLUSIVE: Funding withheld from LEPs
Five local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) have had capacity funding withheld in 2019/20 because they have not resolved overlaps, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has confirmed.
EXCLUSIVE: Core Cities' £28bn Shared Prosperity Fund warning
The proposed UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) must be worth at least £28bn over seven years if the UK is to deliver its devolved policy objectives, a leading sector body has warned.
Government remains open to non-mayoral devo deals
The Government remains open to striking devolution deals without the requirement for a directly-elected mayor, The MJ understands.
LEP chairs still waiting for PM meeting
An overdue Prime Minister’s meeting of local enterprise partnership (LEP) chairs has not been scheduled, with Number 10 yet to commit to continuing the twice-yearly gatherings.
EXCLUSIVE: Two LEPs still do not have legal personality
Two local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) have been granted extensions due to ‘exceptional circumstances’ after failing to adopt legal personalities before the April deadline, The MJ has learnt.
Report: Council of the North needed to drive growth
A Council of the North should be created to develop and implement an industrial strategy for the region, a new report has suggested.
Cash to be held back from LEPs unless stalemate broken
Boris Johnson’s new ministers will be tasked with ending the stalemate on overlapping local enterprise partnerships (LEP) after a crunch meeting failed to secure a breakthrough.
Local industrial strategies go to the very heart of what LEPs are judged by
The West Midlands Local Industrial Strategy - one of the first of its kind - is published today. Warren Ralls says the key to the success of the strategies is partnership, driving up productivity and exploiting unique local strengths
Third of LEPs 'require improvement'
Almost one in three Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) ‘require improvement’ in their attempts to deliver projects by the Government.
NAO: Government must do more to ensure LEP value for money
The Government has been reprimanded for not doing enough to ensure billions of pounds given to local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) are delivering value for money.
Powering ahead on sustainability
Geoff Raw explains how Brighton & Hove City Council is working across councils and other partners to tackle climate change
EXCLUSIVE: LEPs challenge Government performance review
Frustrated local enterprise partnerships (LEP) have demanded changes to the Government’s annual performance review (APR) process.
Shoring up the seaside economy
Seaside towns offer more than just nostalgia, but if we don’t act soon, communities may be forever disadvantaged. Lord Bassam explains why the Lords’ Seaside Regeneration Select Committee went on tour and what it found.
EXCLUSIVE: Fresh deadline for overlapping LEPs
Minister Jake Berry has laid down a fresh deadline for local enterprise partnerships (LEP) to remove overlapping boundaries in a desperate attempt to break the deadlock.
Row over devolution delay
Councils and the Government are at loggerheads over who is to blame for a 17-month delay for a decision on a devolution growth deal.
Local government partnerships key to seaside town reinvention
Councils have been urged to work with central government and LEPs to revitalise Britain’s rundown coastal communities.
It's time for coherent joined up policies
Lawrence Conway has one thing to ask following the Brexit outcome - and that's for a look at how national policy is put together and joined up.
Extracting quality from the Future High Streets Fund
Retail expert Bill Grimsey says the £675m Future High Streets Fund is welcome, but the Government is forcing the pace on bids and leaving councils without the time to put together quality schemes.
Certainty in the middle of so much uncertainty
Selby DC is going into its election period in the context of an unprecedented level and variety of uncertainties, says Janet Waggott. But she believes this creates certainty about what local government needs to do despite the challenges.
LEP stand-off continues
Councils continue to resist a Whitehall-driven boundary review of local enterprise partnerships (LEP) despite the threat of financial penalties.