To identify any recommendations to be made to the cabinet member on the general ambition and vision of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership draft strategic economic plan.

The Committee considered whether there were any recommendations to be made to the executive on the general ambition and vision of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership draft strategic economic plan (SEP).

The Economic Development Manager (EDM) reminded the Committee that a SEP had originally been developed by the LEP in 2014 in consultation with the constituent authorities. It was now time to review the document.  The document was important in that it set the LEPs priorities in support of which funding bids were submitted to government. The LEP had secured more than £105m to support economic growth.  Herefordshire had secured about 50% of that funding for priorities within the county as they were aligned with the SEP.  It was important to ensure that Herefordshire’s priorities continued to be reflected in the SEP. The Committee could play an important role in this process by ensuring the SEP reflected the County’s assets and needs.

The Director of the Marches LEP (DLEP) commented that the LEP Board had commissioned an external company to draft the SEP.  The review of the SEP was timely as the Government was reviewing its future investment in economic development having regard to the withdrawal from the European Union.  The LEP needed to make the case for investment in the Marches area to government and the SEP was the vehicle to do this.  Predominantly the LEP had dealt with capital investment but in future, with the end to European funding, this would include revenue projects as well.  However, the focus of the SEP would be on capital investment.  It was important that Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin made their economic development priorities for the next 5-10 years clear.  The SEP would be a foundation and the next stage following its completion would be the development of the local industrial strategy.  That would focus on areas where there was a need to improve productivity in the industry base.  It was intended to finalise the SEP before the end of the year.  She noted that the SEP was also a source of economic data that many partners found useful in supporting their own bids for funding.

Mr P White (PW) gave a presentation based on slides that had been circulated as a supplement to the agenda papers. 

In discussion the following principal points were made:

·        The DLEP confirmed that the document was being discussed with relevant government representatives.  In the annual conversation the LEP was required to hold with them to discuss progress they had endorsed the LEPs intention to produce the SEP to provide clarity on future investment proposals. They would also be part of the consultation process.

She had briefed local MPs that the LEP was starting this process and the draft document would be sent to them when it was at a more advanced stage.

The government was still looking for “shovel-ready” projects.  The LEP was working with officers on infrastructure projects through, for example, Midlands Connect.  Three projects in the LEP area had been included in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22