Briefing - South west Local Enterprise Partnerships update
Briefing
South West Local Enterprise Partnerships update
Contact: Catherine Brabner, External Affairs Manager Sarah Carr, External Affairs Manager Patrick Murray, Policy Officer
Tel: 0117 9297388 Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Date: September 2013
Ref: SWLEP0813
Registered office address National Housing Federation, Lion Court, 25 Procter Street, London WC1V 6NY
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Briefing from the National Housing Federation
There has been a range of active engagement with the six Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) across the South West. The National Housing Federation has supported members to clearly make the case about the vital economic contribution that Housing Associations make to local economic growth. Each LEP is unique and has a different level of understanding of housing related issues. However they are all working to similarly tight deadlines to complete their draft investment strategies.
1.0 Introduction
This briefing provides members with an update on the latest activity concerning LEPs in the South West. It covers each individual LEP, providing up to date information on their structures, priorities, actions, funding streams and involvement with local housing associations and the Federation. The briefing also provides a timeline of key actions for LEPs in relation to development of their plans which will influence their priorities for funding.
The detail of current funding streams is available in Appendix A. The Federation has also recently published a briefing on opportunities to engage with LEPs following detailed guidance issued by the Government to LEPs on Growth Plans and European Funding. This briefing is available here: http://bit.ly/12U1pwB
2.0 Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly LEP Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly LEP was part of the first wave of LEPs to be established and was launched in May 2011. The LEP has a website containing lots of information about its activities at www.cornwallandislesofscillylep.com . A detailed economic profile of the area is available from http://bit.ly/yrEEZi . The LEP successfully bid for an Enterprise Zone which is centred on the airport in Newquay and is called Aerohub Newquay. The Government have recently confirmed a second Local Development Order, meaning that development can take place without the need for planning permission. This will aid the development of the 35.5 hectare business park. More information available from http://bit.ly/yvhyTn .
Board members The LEP board is made up of nine private sector members and five from the public sector. They are: Chris Pomfret, Chairman Gaynor Coley, Eden Project Chris Loughlin, South West Water Richard Reed, formerly Fugro Seacore Simon Tregoning, Classic Cottages Gavin Poole, Foot Anstey LLP Robert Davey, Bishop Fleming Andrew Williams, Lanhydrock Estate
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Roland Tiplady, Ward William Associates Anne Carlisle, Rector of University College Falmouth John Pollard, Leader of Cornwall Council Julian German, Cabinet Member for Economy & Culture Tom French, Councillor, Cornwall Council Dudley Mumford, Councillor, Isles of Scilly Council Board member profiles are available here http://bit.ly/zImxZs . Board meeting papers are available here http://bit.ly/yuF8SS .
LEP priorities The LEP has released a strategy to 2020 alongside an eighteen month business plan and detailed evidence base which are available from http://bit.ly/ISJNoUU . The overall LEP target is that ‘by 2020, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly’s GDP per head will be above the 75% average for the European Union. By 2020 we will have exceeded the expected growth, in terms of GVA of the overall Cornwall and Isles of Scilly economy by an additional £338 million; per person employed this will be an additional £1,450 per annum’. The strategy outlines four priorities for the LEP: 1. Inspiring business to achieve their national and global potential 2. Creating great careers here 3. Creating value out of knowledge 4. Using the natural environment responsibly as a key economic asset
The key items within the strategy and business plan for housing associations are: The strategy recognises the role of infrastructure in supporting business growth and aims to create ‘business aware’ planning strategies by influencing decision makers. However within the eighteen month business plan all actions around this are focused on transport infrastructure. Housing is mentioned in the context of the green agenda with the LEP keen that all new builds, including housing, are leading edge environmentally. The business plan includes actions around supporting the development of eco- construction (including the St Austell and Clay Country eco-community) and championing low impact construction. Within the business plan lifetime the target is for the construction industry to produce a sector interpretation of the LEP strategy. The LEP is taking action around superfast broadband access and has secured RGF funding for this purpose.
There is only a very limited mention of housing within the LEP strategy and business plan. This was raised by the Federation and others during consultation on the draft strategy. However we understand that Cornwall Council is very keen to retain the strategic lead on housing in the area and that the LEP board has therefore opted not to play a more active role on housing at this time. The original LEP prospectus is available from http://bit.ly/nB22999 .
LEP structure The LEP has identified a number of sub-groups which it will work with to support the delivery of its business plan. These include an Enterprise Zone board, Employment and skills board, business growth & finance board, and a local nature partnership. More details on the LEPs structures is given in the business plan here http://bit.ly/WunWZi .
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The LEP also supports a Business Consultative Group comprising membership organisations and representative bodies who can disseminate information to their members. The Federation is a member of this group (for more details see ‘housing association involvement’ below). For the purposes of drawing up their European Funding strategy, the LEP have set up 4 sub-groups under the headings of their priorities in the Economic Growth strategy. These will be looking at ways to maximise the impact of the EU funding. LEP secretariat is provided by Mel Richardson, 01872 224733 or email [email protected]
Funding activity The LEP successfully bid for £13m from the Regional Growth Fund (round two). The funding will be split into two separate strands. The first strand will be competitive and will provide small and medium sized businesses and social enterprises with capital grants and investments to grasp the opportunities presented by superfast broadband. The second strand will fund infrastructure projects in the marine, mineral, renewable energy and aerospace industries which will unlock private sector investment. In July 2013 a further £18m was awarded to 4 projects across Cornwall and Devon, including to Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station. The LEP received an allocation of £6.4m from the Growing Places Fund to provide homes and jobs through unlocking stalled sites. This has been rolled together with the other funding streams into a ‘Business Boost’ programme which was launched in mid May. This brings together a suite of four investment funds totally £17m, these funds are: Business Investment for Growth (BIG) Superfast Cornwall Fund Business Catalyst Fund Growing Places Fund The Cornwall Development Company (CDC) has been commissioned to run the ‘Business Boost’ programme on behalf of the LEP. More details are available from http://bit.ly/J6q2v9 and from http://bit.ly/JBpdZC. Specific information on accessing the Growing Places Fund is available from http://bit.ly/J6qg5C.
The notional allocation of European Structural and Investment Funding to Cornwall & Isles of Scilly LEP is 592m Euros. Cornwall & Isles of Scilly LEP aim to cover 100% of the LEP area with Community Led Local Development. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are the only less developed region in the UK. Community Led Local Development is delivered at a sub-LEP level and is designed for small local community projects. It can be related to theme or target group and be used in urban or rural areas. It can be supported by any or all structural funds. It is based on a partnership of public, private, civil society actors combining to form a Local Action Group and develop and deliver a Local Development Strategy. LAGs will cover populations of 10,000 to 150,000, based on logical, functional geography with distinct boundary that does not overlap with other LAGs.
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Housing association involvement The LEP has undertaken a series of road show events to offer local businesses the opportunity to engage with the LEP. Principle engagement with the business community to date has been via the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce (http://www.cornwallchamber.co.uk) and other existing local business forums. In April 2012 the LEP set up a Business Consultative Group comprising membership organisations and representative bodies who can disseminate information to their members. The group will be mainly a virtual one meeting once or twice a year. The Federation has been invited to join this group, as the membership body for housing associations. Additionally Robert Nettleton, Chief Executive of Coastline Housing, is represented on the group. Robert is also the housing association representative on the Cornwall Public Sector Group, responsible for delivering the Future Cornwall framework, which provides another opportunity for influence on the LEP agenda (http://bit.ly/yibEhP). The LEP has established an email distribution list through which they circulate information and updates. This is open to anyone with a local interest and you can sign up by emailing [email protected] and asking to join the LEP database. There is also scope for influence by inputting directly into the consultations which the LEP run from time to time, details of which are circulated via the email list. If you are involved with the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP or have any information to add to this briefing please do let us know by emailing [email protected]
3.0 Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole LEP The Dorset LEP is one of the most recent LEPs to be established and was launched in May 2012. It covers the county of Dorset including the unitary authority areas of Bournemouth and Poole. The LEP has its own website www.dorsetlep.co.uk. A detailed economic profile of the area is available from http://bit.ly/HFy2ke. The Dorset LEP has already demonstrated interest in housing by releasing £1.5m to fund the development of 11 family homes in Boscombe via a Community Land Trust. Further details are available here http://bit.ly/18Y2l2e
Board members The LEP board has been approved and is made up of ten representatives from the business sector, four local authority representatives and a representative from each of the higher and further education sectors. They are: Gordon Page, former chair of Cobham plc (Chair) Philip Warr, PH Warr plc (Deputy Chair, property & construction champion) Alison Moore, President of Dorchester Chamber of Commerce Bruce Grant-Braham, tourism/Bournemouth University Terence O'Rourke, creative industries & planning David Ramsden, Political and Parliamentary Advisor (leads Growing Places steering group) Geoffrey Smith, tourism (Chair, Dorset Employment & Skills board) James Weld, Lulworth Estate Jim Stewart, harbour/shipping Jitinder Takhar, Spectrum Housing Matthew Bennett, Bournemouth University Lawrence Vincent, Bournemouth & Poole College
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John Beesley, Leader Bournemouth Borough Council Elaine Atkinson, Leader Borough of Poole Council (health & social care champion) Ray Nottage, Leader Christchurch Borough Council Alex Picot, Chief Exec Dorset Community Action Richard Rowney, finance, Vice Chair Bournemouth & Poole College Spencer Flower, Leader Dorset County Council Terence O’Rourke, planning, Governor of Arts University College, Bournemouth Pen portraits of the members of the LEP board are available at http://bit.ly/K2tILj.
LEP priorities The Dorset LEP’s mission statement states that its overall aim is to deliver growth through business enterprise whilst safeguarding the environment. Its fundamental objective is to improve the performance of existing businesses in Dorset, whilst also encouraging the creation and growth of new ones. It will support a strongly performing, productive and sustainable economy, characterised by boosting higher paid and better skilled jobs. It will do this in three key ways: Enhancing the skills of Dorset’s current and future workforce Improving digital and physical connectivity, particularly via high-speed broadband Creating the right conditions for enterprise, driving forward integrated spatial and infrastructure planning across the county, providing more affordable housing, and emphasising the need to be ‘open for business’, especially in more rural areas. Alongside the vision, the LEP identifies key priorities as Creating a global hub for international trade and business, focussing on Bournemouth Airport and the Ports of Poole and Portland Achieving excellent high-speed broadband Advancing integrated spatial and infrastructure planning across the whole conurbation Planning positively for sustainable economic growth, emphasising the need to be “open for business” Capturing the Olympic legacy across the entire LEP area Securing opportunities from offshore renewables Creating a culture of enterprise and improving employability skills, working with schools, colleges and employers to develop an enterprise friendly curriculum Reviewing and implementation of the Dorset Employment and Skills Strategy Positively embracing the role of older people within the economy of Dorset Encouraging businesses to “go global” Encouraging the work of, or development of, sector-specific advisory bodies.
The LEP has 4 main projects: Talented Dorset – Enhancing the skills of our current and future work force Connected Dorset – Improving the electronic and physical connectivity, particularly through high speed broadband Responsive Dorset – Creating the conditions for enterprise to flourish including a responsive planning and development framework and a dynamic housing market
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Competitive Dorset – Improving the performance of existing businesses and to encourage the creation and growth of new ones.
The original LEP prospectus, submitted to government in June 2011, is available from http://bit.ly/II4OxU. Bournemouth is one of the areas identified as part of the second wave of city deals (see section on Growth Deals above.) The LEP will have a role in working with the councils in the economic area to develop their proposals. The LEP are holding a Growth Conference on the 11th October looking at future priorities for growth. Details are available via http://bit.ly/15GYHZr
LEP structure The LEP board is supported by number of business led sector groups. These include a group for health and social care and another for property and construction. This group aims to reduce the impact of any constraints from planning, skills and access to finance on the property and construction sector. They intend to develop a Dorset LEP planning charter to make planning in Dorset more business friendly. Alongside these groups there will also be specific groups focusing on the four priorities of the LEP, i.e. Competitive, Talented, Connected, and Responsive. A diagram setting out all the groups is on page 14 of the LEP framework (available here http://bit.ly/VftvaW.) There are also direct links to business organisations and networks such as the local Chambers of Commerce and Federation of Small Business. Housing associations are recognised as one of the types of business the LEP will engage with, and Jitinder Takhar of Spectrum recently joined the Dorset LEP board. The LEP secretariat is led by David Walsh, Economic Development Manager, Dorset County Council. [email protected] 01305 224254
Funding activity The LEP was allocated £9.6m from the Growing Places Fund. This is being administered on behalf of the LEP by Dorset County Council. £6.5m of the fund has already been allocated to six projects, details of which are available from http://bit.ly/KjSFSe. They include several housing related schemes, including the Community Land Trust in Boscombe, transport and access for two key development sites for housing and commercial space at Hamworthy, Poole, expansion of employment and residential units in the Castle Court development at Osprey Quay, Portland, and a proposal at Upton Farm Poole for the purchase of land to enable the creation of 10,000 homes and 13,700 jobs has been submitted. The LEP are keen to further develop their pipeline of potential investment schemes to plan for the reinvestment of funds or to be ready to take advantage of any further funds provided by Government. For more details or to discuss this further contact David Walsh via [email protected] or on 01305 224254. Bournemouth has been included within the second wave of the City Deal initiative and has the opportunity to bid for additional freedoms and flexibilities in return for increased economic growth. This bid will also cover the Poole conurbation and the local authorities will be submitted their proposals to Government in early January. The notional allocation of European Structural and Investment Funding to Dorset LEP is 47m Euros. The LEP consulted on their priorities for European funding in July, and the Federation made a submission on behalf of members supporting the financial
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instrument for the green retrofit of social housing. The submission can be obtained by emailing [email protected]
Housing association involvement The interests of housing are represented on the Dorset LEP Board via Board Member Jitinder Takhar of Spectrum Housing Group. The Federation is successfully working with members to develop links with the LEP and has supported the development of a Dorset LEP Housing Providers Group which has met several times. The group has developed three work streams including Employment, Health and housing and Stalled Sites. The outcomes of the work streams are actively informing the work and growth strategy of the Dorset LEP. You can sign up for the Dorset LEP newsletter here http://bit.ly/UVgbcP. If you are involved with the Dorset LEP or have any information to add to this briefing please do let us know by emailing [email protected]
4.0 Gloucestershire LEP The Gloucestershire LEP was approved in August 2011. It covers the Gloucestershire County Council area including the districts of Cheltenham, Cotswold, Forest of Dean, Gloucester, Stroud and Tewkesbury. The LEP has a website at www.gloslep.co.uk. A detailed economic profile of the area is available from http://bit.ly/ImB5vR.
Board members The LEP board is made up of a number of representatives from the private and public sector alongside representatives from the education and skills sector. They are: Diane Savory (Chair), Supergroup Holdings PLC Michael Tripp (Vice Chair), Ecclesiastical Insurance Group Roman Cooper, AllCooper Security & Fire Protection Ltd Steve Hawkins, MOOG Controls Ltd David Owen, GFirst & Glos LEP Adam Starkey, Green Gourmet Ltd Stephen Marston, University of Gloucestershire Greg Smith, Gloucestershire College Councillor Chas Fellows, Leader Gloucestershire County Council Councillor Stephen Jordan, Leader Cheltenham Borough Council Neill Ricketts, Versarien Dr Claire Mould, OPENhouse, Chair of Gloucestershire VCS Alliance Biographies for all LEP board members can be found here http://bit.ly/12EnACL.
LEP priorities The Gloucestershire LEP published a ten year vision for the area in October 2012. This aims to ensure the county reaches its economic potential and outlines the key economic projects and actions needed to support the economic growth of the LEP area. The document can be found at http://bit.ly/UZ1jPz. The strategy does not include any specific targets or ambitions around housing. However one of the three main aims of the document is to ensure ‘an infrastructure that supports economic growth’ which includes activities around ensuring ‘a planning
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system that delivers efficiently and consistently for business’. This includes ambitions to achieve the following by 2022: £8.4 million of Gloucestershire Infrastructure Investment Fund successfully delivered and recycled Standardisation of planning processes, procedures and timescales across the County Measurable year on year improvement in the business perception of the planning process
Within the section on skills there are ambitions to grow the number of apprenticeships within Gloucestershire. The original LEP prospectus, submitted to government in April 2011, is available from http://bit.ly/IIbtIy.
Gloucestershire LEP issued a “Growth statement” as a basis for their Growth Plan in March, available here http://bit.ly/14YPWWT The LEP are currently consulting on the future priorities of their Growth Plan. More detail is available here http://bit.ly/1cCHwMm The Federation have made a submission stressing the importance the delivery of affordable housing for Gloucestershire. The submission can be obtained by emailing [email protected]
LEP structure The LEP board is supported by industry Sector Groups. A Business Advisory Group ensures that different sectors speak to each other. A Business Membership Group brings together bodies such as the Federation of Small Businesses, Chambers of Commerce etc. The LEP board is also connected to Leadership Gloucestershire to ensure communication with the public sector at the highest level. A diagram showing the LEP structure is here http://bit.ly/ZZdayI. There are a range of sector groups including one on construction and infrastructure. This group is chaired by Robin Butler of Kier and Two Rivers Housing have a place on the group. To date it has been involved in joint core strategy planning and the Growing Places Fund. It aims to continue to influence the planning process and address future skills shortages by improving perceptions of the industry. It also aims to encourage local influence and control over capital funding. More details, including terms of reference, membership and current projects is available from http://bit.ly/T5OD9q. There is also a green technologies sector group, more details here http://bit.ly/VaAHcR. The LEP promotes an ‘Ambassador’ scheme whereby local business people can champion Gloucestershire. More details are available from www.gl-am.com. The LEP secretariat is provided by GFirst, which is a countywide economic partnership. The key contact is David Owen, Chief Executive of GFirst, on 01452 328300 or [email protected].
Funding activity
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The LEP was allocated £8.5m from the Growing Places Fund which they used to establish a Gloucestershire Infrastructure Investment Fund. More information on the fund from http://bit.ly/15ykhS9 The notional allocation of European Structural and Investment Funding to Gloucestershire LEP is 38.3m Euros. The LEP consulted on their priorities for European funding in July, and the Federation made a submission on behalf of members supporting the financial instrument for the green retrofit of social housing. The submission can be obtained by emailing [email protected]
Housing association involvement There is no housing association involvement on the LEP board. However, following a meeting with the LEP Chief Executive, Two Rivers Housing (based in the Forest of Dean) has representation on the LEP Construction and Infrastructure task group. The Federation has been working with members to develop links between the LEP and the existing GAHLF (Gloucestershire Affordable Housing Landlords Forum) and a meeting is being held on 25 October. Interested parties can join the Gloucestershire LEP email list or enquire about joining a sector group by contacting [email protected]. If you are involved with the Gloucestershire LEP or have any information to add to this briefing please do let us know by emailing [email protected]
5.0 Heart of the South West LEP The Heart of the South West LEP was approved in early 2011. It covers a large geographic area including Somerset, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. The LEP has a website at www.heartofswlep.co.uk. A detailed economic profile of the area is available from http://bit.ly/I2R2tg.
Board members The LEP board is made up of a number of representatives from the private and public sector alongside a representative of the education and skills sector. They are: Tim Jones, Chartered Surveyor/Commercial Property Developer (Chair) Nicholas Ames, Managing Director Supacat Ltd. Simon Barker, Director Strategy and Alliances UK Government Business, Agusta Westland Frances Brennan, SW Regional Director, Working Links Adam Chambers, Chief Executive Officer, Peninsula Enterprise Nick Engert, Consultant to Clarke Willmott LLP Vaughan Lindsay, Chief Executive, Dartington Hall Trust Dr Stephen Bird, Operations Director, South West Water Ltd Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader, Plymouth City Council Councillor Andrew Leadbitter, Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, Devon County Council Councillor David Hall, Deputy Leader, Somerset County Council Gordon Oliver, Mayor and Leader of Torbay Council Professor Wendy Purcell, Vice-Chancellor, University of Plymouth Sean Fielding, Director of Research & Knowledge Transfer, University of Exeter Rachel Davies, Principal, Somerset College Chris Garcia, Chief Exec of the LEP
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Information on the board including a profile of each member is available from http://bit.ly/WgoEXZ.
LEP structure The LEP has established a Business Forum which is open to all local businesses (more details including a sign up form here http://bit.ly/RuSR8I). Drawing from this forum a Business Forum Executive Group has also been established to take forward actions and develop the detail of the LEP’s policy priorities. Details of the membership of the Executive Group is available here http://bit.ly/TySA4A. The LEP also has 4 special interest groups on social enterprise, low carbon, transport and planning. More detail is available here http://www.heartofswlep.co.uk/special- interest-groups The LEP also has a twitter account @heartofswlep and does a regular email bulletin. You can sign up to receive this at http://bit.ly/VkYZi2. The LEP is supported by a very small team of two staff. The Chief Executive is Chris Garcia, appointed in June 2013. General enquiries to the LEP can be sent via email to [email protected] or telephone 01752 847135.
LEP priorities The LEP has produced a three year business plan which can be downloaded from http://bit.ly/S6RqyW. The vision of the LEP is to create more sustainable jobs by supporting and promoting our enterprises and capitalising upon the unique opportunities existing in the Heart of the South West. Beneath this are four strategic priorities: 1. Drive Productivity and Enterprise o Increasing Productivity and Competitiveness o Stimulating Innovation o Securing Business Investment 2. Attract New Business and Investment o Increase both the numbers of businesses exporting and the value of exports o Stimulate inward investment o Secure European Funds o Capitalise upon being a Gateway Location 3. Maximise Employment Opportunities o Develop a high quality workforce to meet business needs o Increase the availability and take up of apprenticeships o Instil a culture of enterprise, life-long learning and career progression across all business sectors 4. Promote Infrastructure to Connect with Markets o Address existing and future constraints on business growth o Maximise the opportunity and benefit that BDUK investment in superfast broadband infrastructure brings o Support the development of a variety of housing options to complement our economic growth o Ensure that business growth and enterprise is promoted and supported through the planning system
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The Federation strongly welcomes the explicit recognition of the impact that housing can have on economic growth within the business plan. This is something we have lobbied the LEP about in face to face meetings, in written submissions and via members who are involved with the LEP. On housing the business plan says (p8): Opportunity 3: Support the development of a variety of housing options to complement our economic growth It is crucial that future housing development plays a role in maintaining a stable workforce and is a driver of inward investment. This will help differentiate the HotSW as a location to invest. Social infrastructure and appropriate affordable housing are important community outcomes Initiative: Work with planners and developers to encourage a joined up approach to future housing development to secure our economic prosperity. The original LEP prospectus is available from http://bit.ly/JXH2zj.
Funding activity The LEP has been allocated £21.5m from the Growing Places Fund. Two competitive bid rounds have taken place to identify appropriate schemes for assistance. Members active in the area were alerted to this opportunity. The bid rounds have now closed. Details of projects funded through round one is available from http://bit.ly/O4Mrvr. Devon County Council and Somerset County Council, alongside the LEP, was successful in bidding for £2.9m from the Rural Growth Fund. They are one of five areas to develop a programme to improve the rural economy. The £2.9m investment is expected to boost the rural economy by £40m by providing the opportunities and infrastructure rural businesses need to grow. More information is available from http://bit.ly/VZWzIi. Plymouth has been included within the second wave of the City Deal initiative and has the opportunity to bid for additional freedoms and flexibilities in return for increased economic growth. The deal focuses on the marine science sector. Full details are available here http://www.heartofswlep.co.uk/consulting/plymouth-and-peninsula-city- deal
The notional allocation of European Structural and Investment Funding to Heart of the South West LEP is 118.3m Euros. The LEP consulted on their priorities for European funding in July, and the Federation made a submission on behalf of members supporting the financial instrument for the green retrofit of social housing. The submission can be obtained by emailing [email protected]
Housing association involvement The Federation has established strong links with the LEP and the chair, Tim Jones, and Chief Executive, Chris Garcia. Regular quarterly meetings have been set up between a group of Chief Executives of Housing Associations with stock in this area and Tim Jones and Chris Garcia and this has led to a Memorandum of Understanding being developed. There is no housing association involvement in the LEP board. Several housing organisations are involved with or have attended Business Forum meetings as has the Federation. Involvement with the Business Forum is open to any local businesses, a
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sign up form is available on the website here http://bit.ly/RuSR8I. The LEP can also be followed on twitter at @HeartofSWLEP and you can sign up for email updates at http://bit.ly/VkYZi2. There is one housing association that is a member of the LEP Executive Group which supports the Board, this is Knightstone Housing Group. The contact is Wendy Lewis on 01823 624235 [email protected] If you are involved with the Heart of the South West LEP or have any information to add to this briefing please do let us know by emailing [email protected]
6.0 Swindon and Wiltshire LEP The Swindon & Wiltshire LEP is one of the most recent LEPs to be established and was approved in August 2011. It covers the unitary authority areas of Swindon and Wiltshire. The LEP has a website at www.swlep.biz. A detailed economic profile of the area is available from http://bit.ly/FO6RDt.
Board members The LEP board was approved in February 2012 and is made up of a number of representatives from the private and public sector alongside a representative of the education and skills sector. They are: Paul Johnson (Chair), former chair of Knorr Bremse Rail Systems (UK) Limited and chair of Wiltshire Strategic Economic Partnership Nicky Alberry, GWE Business West (Vice-chair) Rob Angus, Nationwide David Ashmore, GreenSquare Group Mark Barnett, The Consortium Councillor David Renard, Leader Swindon Borough Council Graham Dean, Herman Miller Brigadier Piers Hankinson MBE, 43 (Wessex) Brigade Councillor Jane Scott OBE, Leader of Wiltshire Council Steve Stone, Chair of Wiltshire Colleges Peter Wragg, Owner of Widbrook Grange Hotel and Chairman of Visit Wiltshire Limited Sir Christopher Benson, multiple business interests including being a former chair of the Housing Corporation and president of the British Property Federation Neil Holt, banking sector James Phipps, Excalibur Communications Board member profiles are available here http://bit.ly/VzyBDy alongside individual email addresses. This LEP has housing association representation at board level through David Ashmore, Chief Executive of GreenSquare Group.
LEP structure The LEP is clear that its role is as a strategic body, supporting and commissioning projects, not delivering them. The primary delivery channels for the LEP are the two unitary authorities together with Forward Swindon, Influence (the Economic Partnership for Swindon) and Enterprise Wiltshire, formerly the Wiltshire Strategic Economic Partnership. Beneath the LEP board a number of sub-groups have been formed including:
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Job creation, skills and education Advanced engineering Life sciences Finance and business services Tourism Growing places funding Stimulating growth Communications and marketing Others including Economic Infrastructure and one looking at Low Carbon/Renewables are in the process of being formed. Generally the sub-groups are led by LEP board members but many of them bring in people with relevant expertise and interests and are being used to seek views, ideas and engagement with the wider business community. The LEP secretariat is provided by: Primary contact: Steve Richards, [email protected], 07748658230 For Swindon issues: Ian Piper, [email protected], 01793 429256 For Wiltshire issues: Alistair Cunningham, [email protected], 01225 713203
LEP priorities The LEP has developed a business plan for the period Jan 2012 to March 2015. This is available from http://bit.ly/VmB81F. In the light of experience and given the developing role of LEPs as indicated in the Heseltine review and Chancellor’s Autumn Statement the Board is about the review, update and revise its business plan. The LEP has identified four strategic objectives which are listed below. Alongside this the LEP acknowledges the significant military presence within the area and aims to utilise the economic potential of this as a cross cutting theme across all priority objectives. The four priorities are: 1. Encouraging inward investment o Including putting in place a portfolio of deliverable employment land/strategic sites that have a streamlined planning process and built infrastructure, and successful utilisation of the Growing Places Fund and Regional Growth Fund 2. Stimulating growth in our local economy o Including encouraging larger businesses and the public sector to open up their supply chains to smaller local businesses o Also includes focusing on the regeneration of the principal urban areas (Swindon, Chippenham, Salisbury and Trowbridge) as well as supporting sustainable growth in rural areas and market towns 3. Creating jobs and skills o Including supporting apprenticeships o Also includes working with delivery partners on the provision of affordable housing to support/encourage employment mobility/availability 4. Building upon our existing economic infrastructure o With a focus on transport and broadband The Federation strongly welcomes the recognition by the LEP of the role housing can play in supporting economic growth. However at present the business plan only identifies specific actions for 2012/13 and with the exception of the Growing Places
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Fund there is no detail of specific activities around the housing or planning priorities identified above. The LEP has identified three economic zones where they will focus their efforts to drive economic growth. These are the M4/Great Western mainlines corridor, A350 corridor and A303 corridor. The original LEP prospectus, submitted to government in July 2011, is available from http://bit.ly/UnYti5.
Funding activity The LEP has been allocated £9.4m from the Growing Places Fund. After an initial bid round in May 2012 the LEP has recently announced a new round of bidding for the Growing Places Fund. This money can be used to unlock development to deliver jobs and housing. The deadline for applications closed in early January 2013 (more details at http://bit.ly/104uReI and http://bit.ly/UKvGai) but organisations wishing to discuss potential schemes are encouraged to contact the LEP Secretariat any time as some funding might be available. The LEP has been selected by DEFRA as one of six pilot Rural Growth Networks to support growth in rural businesses. The project has a clear military focus and aims to boost the job prospects of the partners of servicemen and women based at a number of garrison towns. £1.9m is being invested by Government in this project which aims to create over 200 jobs. More information on the Wiltshire project is available from http://bit.ly/Q0x0RP. More information on Rural Growth Networks more generally is available from http://bit.ly/GJPiXK. Swindon and Wiltshire have been included within the second wave of the City Deal initiative and have the opportunity to bid for additional freedoms and flexibilities in return for increased economic growth. The local authorities, together with the LEP, will be submitting their proposals in early January. They have already indicated that this will focus on three economic zones – M4 corridor, A303 corridor and A350 crescent. More details here http://bit.ly/S6Zn2u.
The notional allocation of European Structural and Investment Funding to Swindon & Wiltshire LEP is 43.6m Euros.
Housing association involvement The LEP board was confirmed in February 2012 and includes a business representative from the housing association sector. This is David Ashmore, who recently retired as Chief Executive of GreenSquare Group. A date has been set in October for an invited list of Housing Association Chief Executives and the NHF to meet with the Chair of the LEP to discuss housing delivery in the area. The LEP can also be followed on twitter at @swlep. If you are involved with the Swindon and Wiltshire LEP or have any information to add to this briefing please do let us know by emailing [email protected]
7.0 West of England LEP The West of England LEP was part of the first wave of LEPs to be established and builds upon the previous strong partnership working between Bristol, South
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Gloucestershire, North Somerset, and Bath and North East Somerset. The LEP has a website with considerable information on its activities www.westofenglandlep.co.uk. A detailed economic profile of the area is available from http://bit.ly/zjqK4D. The LEP successfully bid for an Enterprise Zone which is centred around the area of Temple Quarter to the north and east of Bristol Temple Meads railway station. More information available from http://bit.ly/VzF6pO. Additionally five other places have been given Enterprise Area status which aim to bring benefits and make development easier. These are Avonmouth/Severnside, Bath City Riverside, Bristol and Bath Science Park (Emersons Green), Filton Airfield, and Junction 21 Weston-super-Mare. More information on each of these areas can be found here http://bit.ly/137PYh1 and details of immediate plans can be found at the back of the LEP business plan here http://bit.ly/TAOau2.
Board members The LEP board is made up of a number of representatives from the private and public sector alongside a representative of the education and skills sector. They are: Colin Skellett, executive chairman of Wessex Water, Chairman Katherine Bennett OBE, vice president and head of political affairs at Airbus David Sproxton, co-founder of Aardman Robert Sinclair, chief executive of Bristol Airport Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bath Professor Joe McGeehan, University of Bristol Paul Crossley, Leader, Bath and North East Somerset Council George Ferguson, Mayor, Bristol City Council Nigel Ashton, Leader, North Somerset John Calway, Leader, South Gloucestershire Board member profiles and board minutes are available here http://bit.ly/Wam9WL.
LEP structure The LEP has a complex structure of sub-groups and cross-cutting theme groups to support its activities. A diagram together with contact details for group chairs is available from http://bit.ly/ZjHiF2. There are four cross-cutting thematic groups which underpin the work of the LEP board. These cover: Skills Inward investment & promotion SME business support Infrastructure and place (led by Cllr Tim Ball, BANES) There are eleven sector groups which each focus on a key sector. These are self- servicing and self-governed. These include groups for: Construction & development (led by Simon Prescott, Barton Willmore) Low carbon industries (led by Caroline Macdonald, Oggadoon) Social enterprise (led by Stephen Parsons) Alongside this there is also a stakeholder group which links through to the public sector bodies in the area, and a business advisory group. The infrastructure and place group links through to the four unitary authorities joint planning, housing and communities board (details of this group here http://bit.ly/ZjJ6hg.)
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Paul Wilson is the new Chief Executive of the LEP. Contact details for the LEP are as follows: Email: [email protected] Tel: 0117 903 6868
LEP priorities The board have agreed a LEP business plan for 2011-13 which is available from http://bit.ly/TAOau2. This outlines the key priorities for the LEP and the immediate actions arising around these alongside details of the various sub-groups of the LEP. Measures by which the LEP will determine its success: 95,000 new jobs by 2030 3.4% annual growth in GVA by 2020 Over £1 billion of private sector investment over the next 5 years A well motivated workforce with the skills to meet business need The foundations for a long‐term sustainable economy LEP priorities as outlined in the business plan are: Effective working: LEP (and Board) culture ensuring a commitment to working in a entrepreneurial way Tackling barriers to business growth (this includes an immediate focus on transport systems and skills but also refers to adequate and affordable economic housing provision) Supporting ‘anchor’ businesses (i.e. existing and future major employers) Putting the West of England on the map, lobbying for investment etc Growing the green economy Successful enterprise zones and areas Areas within the business plan outlined for immediate action focus upon: transport infrastructure, apprenticeships and skills, securing inward investment both from business and from Government to the LEP, support for the environmental technologies sector, encouraging energy efficiency, and support for the various enterprise zones and areas. On housing and planning issues the LEP, alongside the unitary authorities, has already produced a West of England planning toolkit which is available here http://bit.ly/10YulAZ. The infrastructure and growth group has been actively looking at the issues around unlocking housing delivery. A workshop on this topic was held in November 2012 resulting in agreement to develop a protocol aimed at unlocking housing delivery in the short term. The Federation has been and will continue to be involved with this initiative. The original LEP prospectus is available from http://bit.ly/K75CNx.
Funding activity The LEP has successfully bid for Regional Growth Funding of £39m to create a fund to invest upfront in infrastructure to unblock obstacles and release employment and mixed-use sites at priority growth locations across the LEP area. Added to this is £16.9m of the (£17.1m total) Growing Places Fund allocation the LEP received. This has created a £56.7m Revolving Infrastructure Fund (RIF) which aims to enable the delivery of infrastructure required to unlock or serve development that will bring about economic and/or housing growth. The RIF is a revolving fund in that all funding that it releases should be repaid to it. More details are available from http://bit.ly/UMyG6Z or contact Antony Corfield on 0117 903 6866 or email
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[email protected]. Details of the successful schemes from the first round of the RIF are available from http://bit.ly/Z4H7uj. A growth and innovation fund has been established to help employers support skills within their organisation or supply chain. More details here http://bit.ly/XqIPsH. The LEP has also received £1.26m for Green Skills Green Jobs which will be used to support jobs growth and retraining in the area of retrofitting energy saving products to existing housing and commercial premises. More details here http://bit.ly/Rwq8jV. Bristol was amongst the first round of the City Deal programme through which the government agreed to devolve new responsibilities to give the city flexibility to support economic growth. The deal aims to deliver an additional 40,000 jobs and over £1bn of investment. The deal includes the city retaining and investing an element of business rates, and the creation of a Public Property Board to manage public sector land and property assets to unlock more land for economic growth or housing. More information here http://bit.ly/X5Nb4l.
The notional allocation of European Structural and Investment Funding to the West of England LEP is 68.6m Euros.
Housing association involvement There has been extensive engagement between Housing Associations and the West of England LEP including a recent meeting between Paul Wilson, the LEP Chief Executive, the NHF and an invited group of Housing Association CEOs and Development Directors. The complex array of sub-groups which form part of the LEP structure are outlined above. Although there is no housing association representation within the LEP board the sector is well placed within the structures supporting the board: Nick Horne, Chief Executive of Knightstone Housing Group, is a member of the infrastructure and place group Phil Stephens, Development and Commercial Director at Sovereign, is a member of the construction and development group Mike Day, Development Director for Knightstone and Catherine Brabner, External Affairs Manager for NHF are both on the affordable housing delivery sub group. Victor Da Cunha, Chief Executive of Curo, is a nominated representative from the voluntary sector onto the LEP stakeholder group Several associations have had involvement with the social enterprise group Outside of the formal structures there are occasional consultative conferences and events, such as one held in December 2012. Reports and presentations from this event will shortly be available from http://bit.ly/Wicgq8. The LEP is active on twitter at @WofEnglandLEP. If you are involved with the West of England LEP or have any information to add to this briefing please do let us know by emailing [email protected]
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8.0 LEP timetable
•October 7th 2013 LEPs submit draft plan to European Government •End of January 2014 LEPs submit final draft of EUSIF Structural strategy to Government •March 2014 LEPs develop a pipeline of projects with Funding local partners for the delivery of European funding Strategies •Mid - late 2014 European funds released for spending
•October 2013 LEPs update Government on progress with Strategic Economic Plans •December 2013 LEPs submit draft Strategic Economic Plans •March 2014 LEPs submit final Strategic Economic Plans Growth Plans •July 2014 Government announces Single Local Growth Fund offer to LEPs and concludes Growth Deal negotiations •April 2015 Growth Deals implemented
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APPENDIX A – Funding streams
Regional Growth Fund and Growing Places Fund The Government is keen to use LEPs and Enterprise Zones as a way of focusing resources onto economic growth. Two key sources of funding for LEPs are the Regional Growth Fund and the Growing Places Fund. The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is a £3.2bn fund operating across England from 2011 to 2016. It supports projects and programmes that lever private sector investment to create economic growth and sustainable employment. Funds are accessed through competitive bidding and three rounds of the fund were allocated totalling £2.4bn. Successful projects are listed here http://bit.ly/RItWjo. Selected bids from round four of the RGF, totalling £506m, have recently been announced and are available here http://bit.ly/WzKxr2. Following the June 2013 Spending Round allocation of a further £600m to the RGF, ministers are considering the scope and timing of Round 5. It is expected that announcements will be made in autumn 2013. For more information visit http://bit.ly/WzKxr2. The Growing Places Fund (GPF) totals £770m with each LEP being allocated a share of this funding. The money must be used to help boost economic growth by getting the required infrastructure built to enable the creation of new jobs and homes by getting stalled projects moving again. The fund can be used to establish revolving funds to take forward a range of projects that can help facilitate economic growth, jobs and house building in the local area. Each LEP has different arrangements for agreeing which schemes will be supported by the GPF. Some LEPs invited competitive bids whilst others used local intelligence, including in many cases the Local Investment Plans, to agree their priorities. As at August 2013 some LEPs have allocated all their GPF monies whilst others still have some funds available. More information on the GPF is available from http://bit.ly/rV1XU1. Information on all LEP allocations is available from http://bit.ly/Hy4kvJ.
The Single Local Growth Fund and Growth Deals
The Single Local Growth Fund The recent independent report from Lord Heseltine, ‘No stone unturned in pursuit of growth’, sets out a vision for economic growth driven through unleashing the potential of local economies. In the 2012 Autumn Statement the Chancellor set out the government’s first response to this review. This included giving Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) a greater role in local economic development with LEPs being resourced to produce strategic plans to promote local growth.
Looking beyond April 2015 the Government plans to devolve a greater proportion of growth-related spending, on the basis of LEP’s strategic plans, by creating a single funding pot for local areas. Lord Heseltine’s report is available from http://bit.ly/YtaLvY and the Federation’s briefing on the Autumn Statement is available from http://bit.ly/YOljWn. In the June 2013 Spending Round the Chancellor announced that the Single Local Growth Pot would total £2bn a year, from 2015 onwards, totalling £10bn over the next parliament. The annual funding pot will include £1bn from the Department of Transport, £500m for new skills and training, and £400m through the New Homes Bonus, £250m from DCLG and £150m from LG. The Federation’s briefing on the June 2013 Spending Round is available from http://bit.ly/18uRHjf .
Growth Deals LEPs will be required to communicate their outline growth plans with the Department of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) at the end of September 2013, before producing a first draft at the end of December 2013. Final drafts of growth plans will be published in March 2014. BIS will announce Growth Deals, including
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flexibilities and any funding granted through the competitive bidding process, in July 2014. It is expected that growth plans and European funds will be aligned. Government has recently issued guidance to LEPs on Growth Deals, identifying housing associations as key partners. This guidance can be accessed via: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/growth-deals-initial- guidance-for-local-enterprise-partnerships The Federation’s briefing on the Government guidance on Growth Deals and European funding can be found here http://bit.ly/12U1pwB
A second wave of ‘city deals’ was announced in October 2012 and will see twenty cities and their wider areas compete for deals that would see government devolve powers in exchange for these areas delivering higher local economic growth. Each city and their LEP will be invited to put forward proposals to address a significant local economic issue which requires a transformative approach. There will be an element of competition and not all areas will get a deal. Within the south west Bristol has already negotiated its city deal and Bournemouth, Plymouth and Swindon/Wiltshire are all within wave two. Initial proposals were submitted in January 2013 with the aim of completing the deals by November 2013. More details here http://bit.ly/Q1whoo.
European Structural & Investment Funding
European Structural & Investment Funds In March 2013 the Government announced that European Funding for 2014-2020 would be allocated to LEP areas. The European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund and part of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development will be combined into a European Structural and Investment Fund. The key priorities of the funds are: ERDF – innovation, SMEs and low carbon ESF – skills, employment and social inclusion The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development has yet to be announced, but Defra have identified 4 types of activities for LEPs. These are building knowledge and skills in rural areas, funding and developing new micro, small, and medium sized rural businesses, funding small scale renewable and broadband rural investments, and rural tourism activities. Cross cutting themes are sustainable development and equality, and social innovation.
All LEP allocations can be seen here http://bit.ly/137seru
Whilst the ESIF can support a wide range of activities the most relevant proposal for housing associations is a proposed revolving loan fund for retrofitting social housing. This is one of six national opt-in prospectuses; e.g. LEPs will have the opportunity to apportion some of their ESIF allocation to a national financial intermediary to manage the fund and deliver against agreed performance criteria. The Federation has worked with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to develop this proposal which is now included in Government guidance issued to LEPs. The proposed social housing financial instrument aims to create a strong local market for energy improvement works. Housing associations would borrow money to undertake retrofit and potential new build (non ERDF funded) projects. The borrowing would take place on competitive lending terms with long repayment schedules and potential for limited grant funding alongside loan finance. A project portfolio would be developed in close partnership with the relevant LEP team and any “opt-in” contribution from the LEP would be ring-fenced. Aligning the project portfolio to housing associations’ existing asset management plans has the added benefit that work will swiftly begin once the LEP area SIF Strategy and funding is confirmed. SIF funding will be able to leverage significant institutional investment (via the European Investment Bank); as the instrument brings
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the added value of reducing bureaucracy and finance cost (critical mass) by providing a professional social housing finance intermediary at national level, whilst the LEP retains control over projects in its locality. This financial instrument would deliver a key number of benefits: Benefit local firms: a secure pipeline of projects would give local SMEs the certainty to invest in skills training and apprenticeships Low carbon economy: kickstart the low carbon sector via investment in existing and new homes Reduces grant dependency: a market-led revolving loan fund could be more sustainable Integrated project: local employment, training and apprenticeships (ESF) integrated into capital investment projects, e.g. new construction/retrofit (ERDF) In order to progress with the financial instruments LEPs will have to express an interest to opt-in to the revolving loan fund which would then be delivered by a professional social housing finance intermediary. The opt-in would need to be included in LEPs European Structural Investment Strategies. LEPs have until Monday 7th October 2013 to submit their draft European Structural Investment Strategies for the use of their funding allocation, with plans finalised at the end of January 2014 following a period of consultation with Government. More information about the financial instrument can be accessed via http://bit.ly/1e5MPlj (see section 5 of the opt-in prospectuses) and the Federation briefing paper on the funding mechanism for the green retrofit of affordable housing via http://bit.ly/18zI1nN
The Local Impact Fund This is designed for social sector organisations to access. It is a potential mix of grant, loan, debt. National actors like Big Society Capital will contribute, but there is also potential for local actors like housing associations, CCGs, Universities, LAs to put funding in to drive the social sector. There are 2 pilots this year, with further guidance to be issued in 2014. The Local Impact Fund and a programme of business and investment readiness support will enable: Start up, incubation, scale up and growth of Social Sector Organisations in deprived areas; Communities to invest in local assets; Capacity Building support for individuals, teams and organisations; and Investment readiness support.
There are opportunities to seek funding from ESIF for other projects and activities that housing associations might plan to undertake, including for example Community Led Local Development. Housing associations should explore with their LEP the wide range of regeneration projects that could be funded via ESIF in their neighbourhoods. Further information on funding priorities can be accessed via https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/224089/13-1049ann-framework- of-european-growth-programme-priorities.pdf If you have any specific questions please contact [email protected]
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