Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership

Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership
Name	Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership
Formation	2011
Type	Local enterprise partnership
Region served	Devon, Plymouth, Torbay, Somerset, Dorset
Headquarters	Exeter
Leader title	Chair
Leader name	Sir Alan Langdon (former)

Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership is a regional partnership established to coordinate local economic development across Devon, Plymouth, Torbay, Somerset, and parts of Dorset. It brought together senior figures from Local enterprise partnerships in England, Devon County Council, Somerset County Council, Plymouth City Council, Torbay Council, and district authorities to drive investment in infrastructure, skills, and business support. The partnership worked alongside national bodies such as Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, HM Treasury, and agencies including Innovate UK and UK Research and Innovation to align regional priorities with national strategies.

History and formation

The LEP formed in 2011 amid reforms following the 2009 recession, the Localism Act 2011, and the abolition of regional development agencies like South West of England Regional Development Agency. Founders included leaders from Exeter University, Plymouth University, Met Office, and local chambers such as Federation of Small Businesses and Confederation of British Industry. Early strategy documents referenced national initiatives like City Deal, Growth Deal, and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership framework. Initial projects drew on partnerships with Highways England, Network Rail, Homes England, and cultural institutions including English Heritage and National Trust.

Governance and structure

The governance model mirrored other LEPs such as Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership and London Enterprise Panel, with a board comprising private sector chairs, council chief executives from Devon County Council and Somerset County Council, and representatives from Skills Funding Agency and higher education. Subboards focused on sectors like advanced manufacturing, agri-food, marine industries, and visitor economy and worked with research partners such as University of Plymouth, University of Exeter, Bath Spa University, and Brunel University. Accountability mechanisms involved scrutiny by local authorities including Torbay Council and audit by bodies like National Audit Office and engagement with civic organisations such as Age UK and Citizens Advice.

Economic strategy and priorities

Strategic priorities targeted growth in key sectors: aerospace, defence industry, marine engineering, renewable energy, agriculture, tourism, and digital technology. Plans referenced national strategies such as the Industrial Strategy White Paper and sector deals including the Offshore Wind Sector Deal and collaborations with Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Babcock International, Aker Solutions, EDF Energy, and Siemens. Skills and workforce development involved partnerships with City and Guilds, Institute of Directors, Royal Society of Arts, and further education providers like Plymouth College and Exeter College. Transport priorities aligned with projects by Highways England, Network Rail, Great Western Railway, and local ports including Port of Plymouth and Swansea Bay City Region counterparts.

Major projects and investments

Major programmes included infrastructure upgrades, enterprise zone proposals, and urban regeneration initiatives in Exeter Science Park, Plymouth Waterfront, and coastal resilience work along the Jurassic Coast. Investment projects leveraged funds from Local Growth Fund, European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund, and collaborations with British Business Bank and CITB. Notable schemes involved support for Exeter Airport development, connectivity improvements on the A303 road and M5 motorway, and digital rollouts with partners such as BT Group, Cisco Systems, and Vodafone. Business support and incubation initiatives connected to SETsquared Partnership, Catapult centres, High Value Manufacturing Catapult, and specialist clusters like South West Aerospace Cluster.

Funding and partnerships

Funding sources combined central allocations through Department for Transport, grants from Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and match funding from local authorities including Plymouth City Council and private investors like Local Pensions Partnership. European funding collaborations linked to schemes managed by Somerset County Council and Dorset County Council before UK exit from the European Union. Partnerships extended to trade bodies such as UK Major Ports Group, British Hospitality Association, National Farmers' Union, and research collaborations with Rothamsted Research and Plymouth Marine Laboratory.

Performance and impact

The LEP reported outcomes in jobs created, commercial floor space, and apprenticeships, measuring performance against national frameworks used by Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and audited by National Audit Office. Projects claimed leverage of private sector investment, improvements in transport connectivity affecting Great Western Railway services, and skills gains through collaborations with University of Exeter Medical School and South West Regional College networks. Evaluations cited comparative indicators used by other regions such as Tees Valley Combined Authority and West Midlands Combined Authority to assess productivity, GVA, and business start-up rates.

Criticism and controversies

The partnership faced scrutiny familiar to other LEPs like Greater Cambridgeshire Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership and Solent Local Enterprise Partnership over transparency, governance, and value for public funds. Critics including local councillors from Devon County Council and activists aligned with Campaign for Rural England raised issues about consultation on housing allocations, the use of European Structural Funds, and conflicts between development interests represented by firms such as Balfour Beatty and conservation objectives advocated by English Heritage and National Trust. Parliamentary debates invoked standards referenced by the Public Accounts Committee and calls for stronger oversight by bodies like Local Government Association.

Category:Local enterprise partnerships