Find the latest news on the creation of local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) in England and a selection of links to regional organisations which can assist you in bidding for grants and business finance.
Local enterprise partnerships
In October 2010 the Local Growth White Paper laid out the Coalition Government's plans to replace regional development agencies (RDAs) in England with local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) by March 2012. LEPs in England are formed by businesses and local authorities to bring "business and civic leaders together to drive sustainable economic growth and create the conditions for private sector job growth in their communities."
LEPs and their contact details (BIS)
The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills website provides a regularly updated list of all LEPs and how to contact them.
LEP Toolbox (BIS)
Resource from BIS which provides a list of tools available to LEPs and further information on economic development activity across government departments.
Local growth moves up a gear as Business Minister announces growth package for local enterprise partnerships
BIS announced in a press release on 12 May 2011 that it made available a one-off start up fund for LEPs of £5m for 2011-12 and a £4 million capacity fund over four years. The BIS website provides further information on accessing the LEP Start-up Fund and the LEP Capacity Fund.
The LEP Network
A gateway to news and information that enables Local Enterprise Partnerships to come together to discuss issues of shared importance and to share knowledge and good practice. Proivides LEP news, events, an online forum, a blog, a monthly bulletin and an annual benchmarking report of LEP-area economies.
Setting up Local Enterprise Partnerships (ICAEW)
ICAEW has compiled a collection of case studies of past business support initiatives across England. Each case study evaluates the success of the initiative and sets out policy lessons that can be drawn from the experience of its design, development or administration.
Useful links
Business Support Finder (Business Link)
A searchable database of publicly-funded sources of assistance for businesses, including financial assistance and advisory services. The results can be filtered by region.
Enterprise Finance Guarantee
The Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) is a loan guarantee scheme by the UK Government enabling small businesses with a workable business proposal, but a lack of available security to raise finance, to borrow money from approved lenders. The list of lenders includes all UK High Street banks as well as smaller organisations operating in limited geographic areas.
Invest Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s economic development agency aims to 'support business development, attract investment and stimulate a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation'.
Finance Wales
Part of the Finance Wales Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Welsh Assembly Government which offers a range of business finance products. The Finance Wales Group also includes the fund manager FW Capital, which invests in growing businesses in Wales as well as the North East and North West of England.
Scottish Enterprise
Providing business advice and support for businesses in Scotland. The section Grow your business includes links to grants and business finance.
Manchester Investment & Development Agency Service (MIDAS)
MIDAS acts on behalf of the ten local authorities of Greater Manchester to promote and attract inward investment into the City Region. The site includes information and resources about the Manchester City Region.
Regen.net
Website of Regeneration & Renewal, the leading regeneration magazine. The site provides information on new initiatives in community renewal, economic development and physical regeneration, contacts in the field, a comprehensive resources section and latest LEP news. You will need to register to access some content.
Economic Development
Blog by Lorna Gibbons which provides commentary on LEP news and analyses the latest developments.
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