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Last week, communities secretary, Eric Pickles, gave the go ahead to 24 new local enterprise partnerships (LEPs). Here, he outlines the reasons why they received the green light The past couple of years have shown, in no uncertain terms, just how unbalanced the national economy has become. Too much reliance on financial services and a neglect of other vital sectors, such as manufacturing. Too much focus on London and the South East, while the rest of the country was left behind. An explosion of public sector jobs while the private sector struggled under the weight of ever-increasing regulation and red tape. That's hardly a surprise, when we consider that effectively, for the past decade, the economy was run out of the Treasury and its outposts in expensive, bureaucratic regional machinery. This Government believes there is a more effective way. A way of promoting sustainable economic growth which is fairly shared across the country. A way of supporting a more diverse economy, which is better able to withstand problems. Last week, we unveiled our plans to make that happen – by putting local councils and local businesses in charge of the local economy. We announced details of the first 24 local enterprise partnerships, which will mean that the people who know their area best will be calling the shots. There is no fixed model for local enterprise partnerships. That's exactly where the last government went wrong– by prescribing exactly what every economy needed, in imposing massive regional structures, and dictating the answers from above. These partnerships are all voluntary agreements,, reflecting local strengths, skills, priorities and needs. They are bound together by geography, history and identity. They bring together the democratic accountability of the council, and the know-how of local businesses in the pursuit of a shared goal – jobs, growth and prosperity. There's a real sense of local ownership and determination to get things done, which was entirely missing before. So, as one might expect, the different partnerships have come up with a huge range of ideas for driving growth in their area. Some are focusing on tourism, others on industry. Some reflect a rural heritage, others draw on the strengths of our major cities. But they do all have some features in common. Only those with solid business support, with real ambition, and with genuinely-innovative ideas are going forward at this stage. There is really no limit to what they might achieve. For those which did not quite make it this time round, we'll continue to support them as they refine their plans, and we will green light them as soon as they are ready. The local enterprise partnerships are just one part of a major package just announced by the Government to boost local economies. One of the other big ideas is to make sure councils are confident about investing in infrastructure to support growth. So, there will be a financial incentive – the New Homes Bonus – for councils which invest in housing. And we're also looking at the idea of letting councils keep the proceeds from business rates – so these can be reinvested back into the community instead of redistributed around the country. The local enterprise partnerships which have been given the green light are a testament to British ingenuity, resourcefulness and initiative. These were all qualities which were stifled under the previous government – but they are qualities we will need in spades to rebuild our shattered economy. Eric Pickles is communities and local government secretary

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WHITEHALL

Why we chose the 24 LEPs

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