Lincolnshire LEP

Lincolnshire LEP
Name	Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership
Formation	2010s
Type	Local enterprise partnership
Headquarters	Lincolnshire
Region served	Lincolnshire, England
Leader title	Chair

Lincolnshire LEP

The Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership is a regional economic development body covering Lincolnshire, centred on Lincolnshire and serving urban and rural areas including Lincoln, Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Boston, and Skegness. It works with national and local institutions such as Department for Business and Trade, Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Greater Lincolnshire LEP partners, and local authorities including Lincolnshire County Council, North East Lincolnshire Council, and North Lincolnshire Council to coordinate investment, infrastructure, skills, and innovation across transport corridors like the A46 road, A15 road, and the East Coast Main Line.

Overview

The LEP operates at the intersection of regional development and sectoral strategies to support sectors including agri-food industry, offshore wind power, advanced manufacturing, aerospace industry, and marine engineering. It aligns with national initiatives such as the Industrial Strategy and regional frameworks like the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine, while engaging institutions such as University of Lincoln, Grimsby Institute, CATCH (Hull) and trade bodies including Federation of Small Businesses and the Confederation of British Industry to drive business growth, skills provision, and capital projects across Lincolnshire's ports, airfields, and innovation centres.

History and Formation

Formed in the 2010s in the wake of UK-wide reforms that encouraged local economic partnerships, the organisation emerged alongside contemporaries such as the Greater Cambridge and Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership and the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership. Its creation followed consultations with stakeholders including other LEPs, combined authorities like the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, and civic bodies such as British Chambers of Commerce and regional chambers in response to structural shifts in sectors like fishing at Grimsby Docks and agriculture in England across fenland districts like South Holland District.

Governance and Structure

The governance model mirrors other LEPs with a board of private-sector chairs and representatives from authorities such as City of Lincoln Council and East Lindsey District Council, plus skills partners like Skills Funding Agency-linked training providers. It interfaces with delivery bodies including Homes England for housing-led regeneration and national funders such as UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Local Growth Fund. Advisory panels often include representatives from NHS England trusts, port operators like Associated British Ports, and clusters tied to Aerospace Technology Institute networks.

Strategic Priorities and Economic Plan

Strategic priorities focus on productivity uplift across South Kesteven District, West Lindsey District, and Boston Borough, leveraging assets such as Humber Estuary, Humber Ports, and aviation hubs like Humberside Airport and RAF Coningsby catchment skills. Plans emphasise STEM skills development in partnership with universities including University of Lincoln and further education providers like North Lindsey College, aligning with sector deals in offshore wind and supply chain opportunities linked to projects like the Hornsea Wind Farm and Dogger Bank Wind Farm.

Partnerships and Funding

Delivery depends on partnerships with national instruments such as the European Regional Development Fund historically, successor funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and investment from bodies like British Business Bank and private investors including infrastructure funds. Collaboration extends to neighbouring entities such as the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership and sector organisations including National Farmers' Union and RenewableUK to attract inward investment to sites like Rail North corridors and Enterprise Zones.

Projects and Initiatives

Key initiatives have targeted port regeneration at Grimsby, skills academies with Lincoln College, innovation centres supporting additive manufacturing and precision engineering, and rural broadband expansion similar to programmes in rural connectivity schemes. Capital projects include site development for supply chains serving offshore wind farms in the North Sea, business incubation linked to Catapult centres, and transport improvements feeding into corridors such as the A1 road and rail links to Nottingham and Doncaster.

Performance and Impact Studies

Impact assessments and evaluation reports compare outcomes to regional comparators such as Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and national indices like Office for National Statistics regional productivity figures. Studies often examine job creation in advanced manufacturing clusters, skills attainment metrics from institutions like Grimsby Institute, and investment leverage against funding benchmarks set by HM Treasury. Independent evaluations draw on data produced by bodies such as Local Government Association and audit frameworks similar to those used by National Audit Office.

Category:Lincolnshire