Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership

Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership
Name	Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership
Type	Local enterprise partnership
Formed	2011
Headquarters	Lincoln
Region served	Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire

Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership is a local enterprise partnership covering Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, and North East Lincolnshire in the East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber regions of England. It was established during the wave of LEP formation led by the Cameron ministry and interacts with national bodies such as Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, HM Treasury, and agencies including UK Research and Innovation and Innovate UK. The partnership coordinates place-based plans alongside unitary authorities such as North Lincolnshire Council, North East Lincolnshire Council, and county bodies including Lincolnshire County Council.

History

The partnership was created in 2011 amid the reorganisation advocated by the Localism Act 2011 and the policy agenda of the Conservative Party. Its early evolution tracked national programmes such as Growth Deals, the Regional Growth Fund, and the Local Growth Fund. Early strategy documents referenced sector strengths linked to ports like Port of Immingham, agri-food clusters tied to Grimsby and Boston, and energy assets connected to Humber Estuary projects. The LEP engaged with initiatives led by European Regional Development Fund, Rural Development Programme for England, and counterparts such as the Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership and Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership to craft competitive bids for capital projects.

Governance and Structure

Governance comprises a board of private-sector chairs and public-sector representatives drawn from authorities including East Lindsey District Council, West Lindsey District Council, South Kesteven District Council, and unitary councils. The board aligns with national oversight from Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and operates thematic subgroups covering sectors recognised by bodies such as Skills Funding Agency and Education and Skills Funding Agency. Executive functions coordinate with research institutions like the University of Lincoln and business networks such as Federation of Small Businesses and the Confederation of British Industry. Audit and assurance arrangements reference standards promulgated by National Audit Office and financial frameworks used by Local Government Association.

Economic Strategy and Priorities

The partnership’s strategy emphasises maritime clusters around Grimsby and Immingham, advanced manufacturing near Scunthorpe, agritech links to Boston and Market Rasen, and energy projects across the Humber Estuary and North Sea zones like Hornsea Wind Farm. Priorities incorporate skills initiatives engaging colleges such as Callywith College and universities including University of Hull and University of Lincoln, apprenticeship routes aligned with Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, and innovation support via Catapult centres and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. Supply chain development connects to firms within Siemens, Rolls-Royce, Babcock International, and clusters that parallel those in Port of Hull and Tees Valley.

Key Projects and Initiatives

Major projects include infrastructure investments at Humberside Airport, expansion works at Port of Immingham, and business park developments comparable to Lincolnshire Lakes. Skills and employment programmes have partnered with colleges such as Lincoln College and Grimsby Institute to deliver traineeships and apprenticeships tied to employers like ABP (Associated British Ports), Cargill, and Mabey Bridge. Innovation initiatives have sought collaboration with research centres including Sherwood Energy Village and networks such as Energy Systems Catapult, while regeneration projects mirror earlier interventions in Grimsby Town Centre and waterfront schemes associated with Hull Trains connectivity. Environmental and resilience projects engage with flood defence infrastructure run by Environment Agency and habitat restoration connected to RSPB schemes in coastal zones near the Wash.

Funding and Investment

Funding streams comprise negotiated Growth Deals with HM Treasury, capital allocations from the Local Growth Fund, and competitive grants from the European Regional Development Fund prior to UK exit from the European Union. The partnership has leveraged private finance from institutional investors similar to British Business Bank structures and employed loan facilities akin to those administered through Homes England for site development. Investment deals have sought alignment with national funds such as the National Productivity Investment Fund and regional initiatives coordinated with neighbouring LEPs like Humber Local Enterprise Partnership and transport programmes administered by Highways England.

Performance and Impact

Performance reporting references jobs created, private-sector leverage, and output measures comparable to Office for National Statistics regional accounts. Reported impacts include job growth in logistics and port sectors serving Port of Immingham and productivity gains in manufacturing zones around Scunthorpe Steelworks and downstream firms similar to British Steel. Skills interventions report apprenticeship starts tied to employers such as Siemens Energy and Balfour Beatty, while infrastructure investments aim to improve connectivity on corridors to A16 road and rail links to Grantham railway station. The LEP’s role has been reviewed in national assessments alongside peers like Greater Manchester Combined Authority and has been subject to oversight mechanisms used by Cabinet Office reviews of local growth programmes.

Category:Local enterprise partnerships