The future looks bright for LEPs this parliament

Author: Alex Thomson, Localis   |  

Writing for Buckinghamshire Thames Valley LEP, Alex Thomson writes that the future looks bright for LEPs.

With the Conservative party re-elected at the General Election in May, it’s fair to say that LEPs are here to stay for the foreseeable future. That’s not to say that Ed Miliband would have got rid of them ? in Lord Adonis’ Growth Review Labour made firm commitments to their continuation (though the party’s position on them since Jeremy Corbyn’s election is not yet clear) ? more that there is unlikely to be any major upheaval of LEPs in the next few years. This is to be welcomed.

Indeed the Government have made plenty of warm noises about LEPs in recent months, making clear that if places are to secure substantial devolution, their LEPs will need to be fully on board with submitted proposals.

In some cases such as Greater Manchester, where the local LEP has helped to provide a substantial evidence base for the region’s economic and industrial strategy, the relationship between the LEP and local authorities has been particularly fruitful. Along with the region’s longstanding history of joint-working between public and private sectors, this has helped contribute to a local ‘unity of purpose’, giving the Government confidence to devolve. Though not all places will have such neat boundaries and collaborative history, this model seems to be one the Government are keen to be emulated across the country.

In some areas where local authorities are unable to decide on future post-devolution governance models (i.e. to combine or not to combine; and, whether to accept a directly-elected mayor), the local LEP(s) may in fact become the best conduit for places to access devolution. The next round of Growth Deals would seem to be the natural mechanism for places that don’t get a devolution deal in the Comprehensive Spending Review to bid for further devolved powers.

LEPs should welcome this all. As we wrote in our report The Next LEPs earlier this year, LEPs bring to the table a powerful combination of private sector influence and public sector control. Putting them at the heart of the devolution agenda, as we proposed, will allow them and the local economy to flourish. On skills for example, a policy area that seems to be a core part of almost every devolution proposal, LEPs should take on a much greater role in the establishment of University Technology Colleges (UTCs).

There are of course several unresolved questions around LEPs that need answering, particularly on the accountability side. Many do already, but it should be compulsory for all LEPs to publish regular and transparent accounts and the minutes of their meetings. But on the whole, with the Government’s early dedication to them, LEPs have a bright future this parliament. Let’s hope it continues.

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