In a nutshell the LEP Network is a gateway to news and information that enables Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to come together on areas of shared importance, engage with Government, and share knowledge and good practice.

The Network is also there to help those outside the world of LEPs, understand what a LEP is, what LEPs are trying to do and how to engage further with the relevant LEP.

So how did LEPs come about? The localism agenda was first announced by the coalition in the June 2010 Budget, followed by a Local Growth White Paper that was issued in October 2010 and led to the government invited local authorities and business to form LEPs. The first LEPs were established in April 2011 and RDAs were abolished in March 2012. In England there are 39 LEPs actively championed by the Departments for Communities & Local Government (DCLG) and Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS). Lord Heseltine wrote his 'No Stones Unturned' report on generating growth which was released in October 2012. The report referred to the devolution of government funds into a single pot. Many of the recommendations were adopted by government in their response in June 2013. In the Chancellor’s Spending Round announcement in June 2013, a Single Local Growth Fund of at least £2bn per annum was created for LEPs to bid into to drive forward local growth. 

For more information about the LEP Network click here.