South West England Local Enterprise Partnership

South West England Local Enterprise Partnership
Name	South West England Local Enterprise Partnership
Formation	2010
Type	Local enterprise partnership
Region served	Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset, Plymouth, Torbay, Swindon
Leader title	Chair

South West England Local Enterprise Partnership The South West England Local Enterprise Partnership is a regional public–private partnership body established to coordinate economic development across South West England, including Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset, Plymouth, and Torbay. It engages with national bodies such as the Department for Business and Trade, regional institutions like the University of Exeter, and local authorities including Cornwall Council, Devon County Council, and Wiltshire Council to align investment, infrastructure, and skills initiatives. The partnership works alongside entities such as the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, West of England Combined Authority, and South East Local Enterprise Partnership to leverage programmes from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the European Regional Development Fund, and the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.

History and formation

The partnership was formed in the wake of the 2010 United Kingdom general election and the 2010 Localism Act 2011 policy shifts that prompted the creation of multiple Local Enterprise Partnerships including contemporaries like the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership. Early convening partners included private firms such as Babcock International and Royal Mail Group alongside academic stakeholders like the University of Plymouth and Falmouth University, reflecting precedents set by bodies including the London Enterprise Panel and the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership. Initial strategic documents referenced national initiatives including the National Infrastructure Commission and aligned with sector strategies seen in the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine programmes.

Governance and structure

Governance is overseen by a board of private-sector chairs, local authority leaders from Plymouth City Council, Cornwall Council, Dorset Council, and representatives from universities such as the University of Bristol and University of Bath. The partnership mirrors governance models used by the Tees Valley Combined Authority and works with delivery partners including Business West, Federation of Small Businesses, and chambers of commerce like the Royal Cornwall Museum (regional stakeholder), while coordinating with national regulators such as Ofwat and agencies like Tech Nation. Subcommittees address sectors represented by organisations like AstraZeneca, EDF Energy, and Rolls-Royce Holdings.

Strategic priorities and objectives

Strategic priorities target clusters identified in regional studies similar to the Industrial Strategy White Paper: marine and maritime led by Plymouth Naval Base interests, aerospace linked to Airbus, low-carbon energy associated with EDF Energy and Orsted, creative industries connected to BBC Studios, and advanced manufacturing tied to GKN Aerospace. Objectives include boosting skills via partnerships with further education colleges such as Truro and Penwith College and universities like University of Exeter, improving transport infrastructure in corridors served by Great Western Railway and National Highways, and supporting rural business networks exemplified by Devon and Cornwall Business Council.

Key projects and initiatives

Key projects have included ports and logistics investments at Port of Plymouth and Falmouth Docks, renewable energy pilots with partners like Innovate UK and Siemens Gamesa, and skills academies in collaboration with City College Plymouth and Bath College. Initiatives mirror national pilots such as the Catapult centres and regional growth deals akin to the Leeds City Region Growth Deal, with programmes supporting innovation hubs at incubators similar to SETsquared Partnership and creative clusters inspired by Bristol Temple Quarter. Urban regeneration efforts have intersected with projects in Salisbury and Taunton supported by investors including British Business Bank instruments.

Funding and partnerships

Funding streams combine local authority contributions from Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council, matched grants from national bodies like the UK Research and Innovation and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and co-investment from private partners including Lloyds Banking Group and HSBC UK. The partnership has bid for European funds previously administered by the European Regional Development Fund and coordinated delivery with programmes such as the Local Growth Fund and the Getting Building Fund. Strategic partnership agreements have been executed with sector bodies like UK Research and Innovation, government entities including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for trade promotion, and industry groups such as Make UK.

Economic impact and performance

Impact assessments reference Gross Value Added evidence consistent with studies from the Office for National Statistics and regional reports similar to the South West Observatory. Reported outcomes include job creation in clusters tied to AstraZeneca and GKN Aerospace supply chains, productivity improvements aligned with interventions seen in the Northern Powerhouse regions, and increased inward investment influenced by trails comparable to Invest Bristol and Bath campaigns. Performance metrics have been compared against datasets from HM Treasury, the Confederation of British Industry, and the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

Criticism and controversies

Critics have highlighted tensions familiar from controversies involving the West Midlands Combined Authority and debates over the City Deal processes, citing concerns about transparency, accountability, and the balance of power between city and rural areas such as Cornwall and Wiltshire. Disputes have arisen around project selections reminiscent of controversies at the Tees Valley Combined Authority and around allocation of funds from programmes like the Local Growth Fund, with stakeholders including National Farmers' Union and UK Hospitality raising objections. Allegations of limited public scrutiny have led to inquiries paralleling reviews undertaken for other LEPs and related bodies like the Local Government Association.

Category:Economy of South West England