Somerset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) To Boost Enterprise for Local Businesses

Sept 2010

ADK, one of Somerset’s innovative design, media and business coaching firms, is pleased to announce it’s involvement with the new Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) for Somerset.

In a nutshell, national government and the EU gave money to regional development agencies; in the South West ours is SWRDA; and they would share this money (project dependent) throughout the region.

RDA’s are being closed and now government wants us to have Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP). They say this is to give local communities the power to affect their own destiny and needs.

What’s unique about this is that business owners can be part of the committee/group of LEP’s and last month ADK attended the event on ‘Life after SWRDA and LEP’s’.

What is a Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)?

LEP’s are a strategic economic partnership between businesses and local authorities.

Based on a ‘functional economic area’, which refers to the real local economy rather than using administrative boundaries, this partnership would direct investment, infrastructure improvements and business support at a local level.

Based on business supply chains, sector specific support, travel to work areas and leisure patterns, the ‘functional economic area’ for Somerset is made up of many councils and industries.

So, many businesses across the area can come forward to support this business lead approach. Now a proposal for Somerset is being submitted to the government by the early September deadline.

It is vital that businesses get involved and that there is a clear understanding of the challenges employers are facing so the LEP can be tailored to support local issues.

Getting a LEP for Somerset could mean £20m over two years.

Andrew Knutt, Director of ADK said: "We have endorsed Somerset’s LEP submission as it’s important that the business community shows government that we are proactive and willing to take on new challenges. Economic development for the county is very important and we must embrace every opportunity, even though we may not be comfortable with every part of a LEP bid”.

Somerset Chamber and Somerset County Council have been spearheading Somerset’s LEP bid and you can find out more by contacting each organisation.

More Information

ADK Ltd and ADK Design is a Somerset based design, media and business consultancy firm providing a range of design services to the business community. ADK Ltd is an associate of the Institute of Business Consulting, South West Design Forum, vice chair of Somerset Design Enterprise Network, Microsoft Partner, and a Chamber member of Somerset and Taunton. Contact us here.