Council squabbles scupper enterprise bid (South West Wiltshire Liberal Democrats)

South West Wiltshire Liberal Democrats <info@swwiltshirelibdems.org.uk>

Council squabbles scupper enterprise bid

November 8, 2010 11:58 AM

Jeff Osborn

After scrapping Regional Development Boards the government is setting up 'Local Enterprise Partnerships' to promote commercial and industrial growth. Wiltshire, along with Gloucester and Swindon, put a bid in after an attempt to set up a partnership with Hampshire and Dorset failed. However the bid did not get government approval and the counties were told to go away and have another go.

Here's a question from Jeff Osborn put to the responsible Conservative councillor John Brady, and his reply.

J.O. "Can the Council please be informed whether it will be involved in a Local Enterprise Partnership?"

J.B. "On the 9th June 2010, the Government, CLG and BIS, invited interested parties to submit proposals for the creation of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). LEP proposals were to be submitted jointly by business and upper tier local authorities and be with Government by 3rd September 2010.

The Wiltshire Strategic Economic Partnership considered the issue at its meeting on the 15th July 2010 and agreed to work jointly with Wiltshire Council on the development of a LEP proposal or proposals that gave best

advantage to the business community of Wiltshire. Consultation with over 120 businesses and business representative organisations identified the issues to be championed and what constituted the best economic footprint for any LEP proposal.

Discussions were held with both Gloucestershire and Swindon, and Dorset and Hampshire over the summer months. Given tensions with other partners and competing LEP proposals, neither Hampshire nor Dorset were able to progress a 'Central Southern' LEP to proposal stage, whereas discussions with Gloucestershire and Swindon progressed to a proposal which was submitted within the timescale required.

We were formally informed on the 28th October that whilst our bid had not been given the 'green light', in general it was seen as a strong proposal and with further work, could still come forward as a LEP.

WSEP and Wiltshire Council still wish to see the creation of a LEP with a geographical footprint that recognises the challenges faced by Wiltshire's business community and are consulting with partners prior to any reworked proposal being submitted to Government."