Local Enterprise Partnerships – will they work for
business?
A clear majority (64%) of businesses recently surveyed
[1] by GWE Business West [2] recognise that the
Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) are to be abolished. But 70%
are unsure about what will replace them. Most businesses do not
know what Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are, what their
functions will be or what areas they will cover. The survey
responses also suggest that LEPs need not just be geographically
based but could focus on sectors or themes.
The response from the business community suggests that whilst it
is early days in the development of these new partnerships, the
message about them being there to promote economic development and
remove the barriers to private sector jobs growth is not getting
through to the people and organisations that matter – the
businesses themselves.
Asked what the main barriers are to business growth businesses
surveyed responded with a mixture of local and national issues,
with a combined total of 51% identifying access to finance and
excessive bureaucracy as key barriers. Whilst others identified
more local issues – 19% identified lack of people with the right
skills, while19% highlighted transport, accessibility, availability
of employment land and affordable housing as the main issues. Other
issues mentioned were the planning system, employment law, and
business rates, as well as the general state of the economy.
Commenting, Phil Smith, Managing Director of GWE Business West,
said: “What business wants to see is action. It is all very well
talking about abolishing Regional Development Agencies and
replacing them with Local Enterprise Partnerships, but what does
this actually mean for the way we do business and operate at the
moment? Will these partnerships bring about change and make it
easier for businesses to grow and prosper? To do this LEPs will
need to address the key issues important to business and the power
and resources needed to take action.”
“GWE Business West’s role is to ensure the business voice is
heard and to put these very issues on the agenda of these new
emerging partnerships. “
ENDS
342 words
Note to editors
[1] Survey
The survey was sent to over 10,000 businesses across
Bristol/Bath/Swindon/Wiltshire/Gloucestershire. This initial
analysis is taken from the first 500 responses received. The survey
is still live (with businesses still responding) and a full report
on results will be published on http://www.gwebusinesswest.co.uk
at the end of September 2010.
[2] GWE Business West
GWE Business West exists to help provide an environment in which
business can thrive and prosper. It is a private company with a
public, business responsible purpose. It delivers an extensive
range of business to business services. Acting on behalf of its
members and customers, GWE Business West is a powerful voice for
the business community across the Bristol, Bath and North East
Somerset, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire region, with
strong roots in each of its local communities.
Our business activities focus on:
- Chambers of Commerce and ‘Initiative’ activity - Bristol,
Swindon (Initiative), Bath and Gloucestershire
- Direct business to business services
- The delivery of public and private sector business support
contracts on behalf of other organisations
GWE Business West operates from offices in Bristol, Bath,
Swindon, Midsomer Norton and Cheltenham.
www.gwebusinesswest.co.uk