According to a report by Centre for Cities, the Local Enterprise Partnership scheme is showing early signs of failure. The research and policy unit said in the report, that the government didn’t have any recognition of some of the LEP boards. Five of the LEPs don’t yet have an online presence, with only two having produced a long term strategy.

The Local Enterprise Partnerships were created and announced by the government in October 2010, being the collaboration between local authorities and businesses. The partnerships were intended to focus on local trends, with the identification of economic needs for each area and the local barriers to economic growth. According to the recent report, extra bureaucracy and focus groups were being implemented, which appeared to be slowing down progress and decision making.

The director for policy and research at Centre for Cities, Andrew Carter said:

“One of our biggest concerns is the spatial geography of some LEPs does not match the economic and political geography, creating real barriers to effective influence over local economies.”

As a result, some of the partnerships are on the road to failure, even before recognition by the government or the announcement of a strategy. In response to the report, the government have dismissed the claims outright, saying that improvements have already been made concerning the UK economy.

The leader board for Leeds City Region is a coalition of 11 local authorities, who have just given approval for a proposal from its LEP to cut red tape as part of its strategy to boost growth. The changes will benefit the taxpayers and local businesses, achieving success.

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Gary Fields

Content Writer working alongside our expert accountants to bring you the latest Tax and Accounting news.

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