briefing: east midlands local enterprise...

Contact name: Kate Warburton Lion Court Job title: External Affairs Manager, East Midlands 25 Procter Street Direct line: 07919 110536 London WC1V 6NY Email: [email protected] [email protected] Reference: www.housing.org.uk

October 2013

Briefing:

East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnerships Summary of key points:

Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are designed to bring together the private and public sectors to drive growth. They use their expertise and partnership working to drive economic growth across their localities. This briefing provides an update on LEP activity across the south east in the following LEP areas.

• Greater Lincolnshire • Northamptonshire • Leicester and Leicestershire • South East Midlands • Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire


1. Introduction

Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are designed to bring together the private and public sectors to drive growth. They use their expertise and partnership working to drive economic growth across their localities. This briefing provides an update on LEP activity across the East Midlands.

This briefing provides members with an update on the latest activity concerning LEPs in the East Midlands. It covers each individual LEP, providing up to date information on their structures, priorities, actions, funding streams and involvement with local housing associations and the Federation. The briefing also provides a timeline of key actions for LEPs in relation to development of their plans which will influence their priorities for funding.

The detail of current funding streams is available in Appendix A. The Federation has also recently published a briefing on opportunities to engage with LEPs following detailed guidance issued by the Government to LEPs on Growth Plans and European Funding. This briefing is available here: http://bit.ly/12U1pwB

2. Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership

The Greater Lincolnshire LEP was one of the first LEPs to be founded in 2010, and was recognised officially early in January 2011.

The LEP has a website which can be found at http://bit.ly/N1gdwc. The LEP operates a newsletter service; registration for the newsletter can be done on the website. It also maintains a Twitter feed where up-to-date news and information can be found, it is located at http://bit.ly/WQSRNx. The LEP also has a LinkedIn account, which can be found at http://linkd.in/XX7jX0.

Board Members The LEP board has fifteen members. They are:

• Ursula Lidbetter, Chair, Lincolnshire Co-operative • David Dexter, Deputy Chair, Federation of Small Businesses • Leendert Den Hollander, Youngs Seafood • Chris Baron, Butlins • Neil Corner, Siemens • Herman Kok, Lindum Group • Mark Tinsley, PC Tinsley Ltd.

http://bit.ly/12U1pwB

http://bit.ly/N1gdwc

http://bit.ly/WQSRNx

http://linkd.in/XX7jX0


• Professor Mary Stuart, University of Lincoln • Andy Orry, Ongo housing partnership • Colin Davie, Councillor Lincolnshire County Council • Andy Baxendale, Environment Agency • Dr Tony Hill, NHS • Richard Wills, Lincolnshire County Council • Doreen Stephenson, Councillor East Lindsey District Council • Liz Redfern, Councillor North Lincolnshire Council

LEP Priorities The LEP identifies five priorities in their Growth Ambitions Plan, which can be found here http://bit.ly/WJLsRr. These priorities are:

1. Infrastructure 2. Creating the right conditions for business growth 3. Rural enterprise 4. Retail 5. Communications and engagement

Within the infrastructure section the LEP identify “increased utility supply for the housing and employment growth points area” as a potential priority. As part of their vision the LEP identify “sufficient housing supply, especially for working age population” as a measure of success.

In December 2013 the LEP released a draft of their Strategic Economic Plan, which can be found here http://bit.ly/1dQkobz. This document identifies the main areas of future economic growth in the LEP area. In the foreword Chair Ursula Lidbetter recognises that “our housing market also plays an important role in the local economy, and we intend to ensure that public and private finance works together to provide a range of homes to suit all budgets in the right places.”

In the housing section the LEP sets out its specific actions. As proposed, these are to:

• Plan and deliver infrastructure and housing in the right places to support business growth.

• Analyse the tenure and quality of new housing to meet the aspirations and needs of all employees.

• Deliver a Development Charter. • Identify opportunities for private and public sector funding packages. • Support skills development, innovation and growth in companies in the housing sector.

http://bit.ly/WJLsRr

http://bit.ly/1dQkobz


LEP Structure The LEP’s main Board is supported by an Officers Group, made up of three representatives from three upper-tier local authorities, BIS Local, and the Homes and Communities Agency. The LEP also works with a number of partners from across the region, representing the public, private and voluntary sectors. The LEP works with these partners in order to gain specific advice and to involve organisations in policy areas of relevance to them. The LEP also has links with the Innovation Networks (iNets), which are designed to help private companies innovate in specific fields including sustainable construction, transport, health & bioscience, and food & drink.

The LEP also has a specific page where it advertises upcoming events, which can be attended by interested organisations and individuals. This can be found at http://bit.ly/143Wc2R.

The key contact for this LEP is Ruth Carver: Telephone: 0152 255 0540 Email: [email protected]

Funding Activity The LEP has secured RGF funding for a number of different sectors including £14.3m for fast broadband for homes and businesses in the region, and £9m infrastructure investment for projects improving transport, utilities, and housing. There has also been significant investment in the creation of an Enterprise Zone in Grimsby and a Humber Renewables Super Cluster designed to make the region a leader in sustainable energy and technology.

Bidding for the fifth round of the LEP’s RGF closed on 9th December 2013. This round will make funds available to private sector bidders seeking over £1 million for projects that generate private investment and create sustainable jobs.

The Greater Lincolnshire LEP also runs an ‘Invest and Grow’ fund, part of the Growing Places Fund. This is a revolving loan fund, totalling £9m and is a rolling fund which can be applied for at any time.

Funding of £500,000 to £2 million is available for larger schemes which can unlock developments and enable the delivery of new jobs, commercial space and homes. It aims to kick start ‘stalled’ job-creating developments through rapid investments in local infrastructure and tackling site constraints. Eligible projects will fund infrastructure costs and include:

• Utilities

http://bit.ly/143Wc2R

mailto:[email protected]


• Flood management • Access roads (in order to service development sites) • Employment and housing sites

Projects outside of the funding range that deliver exceptional outcomes or value for money may still be considered.

In October 2013 the LEP made its first Invest and Grow loan. £2.9 million has been awarded to support a major development in Mablethorpe, which is expected to lever in a further £6.5 million of private sector investment. The scheme will create 530 new jobs and includes 180 new homes, a restaurant, a care home and a Tesco supermarket.

Further details are available here: http://www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk/investment/funding. The LEP’s notional allocation of European Structural and Investment funding is 133.5m Euros.

Housing Association Involvement The LEP has at least three Board members that may have current links to Members. These members are Herman Kok, a representative of the Lindum Group (a construction organisation that specialises in the affordable housing sector) and Andy Baxendale, a representative from the Environment Agency, linking in issues of sustainable communities and housing development. The newest Board member, Andy Orrey, is CEO of the Ongo Partnership, a housing association group set up by North Lincolnshire Homes.

Housing is deemed as a priority by the LEP, and the Homes and Communities Agency is a member of the Officers Group that supports the main Board and has also been presented to by the Federation. Richard Willis, the member representing Lincolnshire County Council has also taken an active interest in the work of the Federation, attending the Housing Investment Summit on December 3rd 2012. The LEP also works closely with partnership organisations and it is recommended that housing associations contact the LEP for more information on this issue.

If you are involved with the Greater Lincolnshire LEP or have any information to add to this briefing please let us know by emailing [email protected]

3. Northamptonshire Local Enterprise Partnership

The Northamptonshire LEP was the 38th LEP to be approved and was started in September 2011. The LEP was based on the already existing Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership

http://www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk/investment/funding



(NEP), which was granted LEP status. Parts of the county of Northamptonshire are also covered by the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (see below). The LEP has a website which can be found at http://bit.ly/sBwlrk and also runs a blog detailing its latest news and activities: http://bit.ly/Jvszja. It also has a Twitter feed where up-to-date news and information can be found. It is located at http://bit.ly/YkouWl. Board Members The LEP has a large Board with 22 members. It shares several members with the South East Midlands LEP. They are:

• John Markham, Chair, West Northamptonshire Development Corporation • David Laing, Vice Chair • Milan Shah, Council Member GAFTA • Richard Phillips, Silverstone Circuits* • David Rolton, Founder The Rolton Group • James Saunders Watson, Owner/Managing Director Rockingham Castle Estate • David Bodily, Carlsberg UK • Professor Phillip Sugarman, St Andrews Healthcare • David Reynolds, North Northamptonshire Development Company • Martin Sutherland, Chief Executive Royal and Derngate • Jim Harker OBE, Councillor Northamptonshire County Council • Professor Nick Petford, Vice Chancellor University of Northampton* • Andre Gonzalez De Savage, Councillor Northamptonshire County Council • Gerald Couldrake, Company Secretary Northamptonshire Enterprise • Graham Goss, Senior Partner Haines Watts Chartered Accountants • Russell Roberts, Leader Kettering Borough Council • Barbara Mellish, Non-Executive Director Northamptonshire Enterprise • Catherine Boardman, Councillor Northamptonshire County Council • David Mackintosh, Leader of Northampton Borough Council* • Rob Purdie, Campaign Solutions • Brian Binley MP, Northampton South

*These members also sit on the Board of the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership Three new private sector board members will be appointed from April 2014. Applications for the positions closed on 14 March 2014. The LEP is keen to appoint members from the house building industry, financial services and food and drinks industry. A full profile of LEP Board members can be found at http://bit.ly/11OhL7V.

http://bit.ly/sBwlrk

http://bit.ly/Jvszja

http://bit.ly/YkouWl

http://bit.ly/11OhL7V


LEP Priorities Together with Northamptonshire County Council the LEP produced a ‘10 point plan’ for growth in March as the basis for a negotiation on a growth deal. This can be viewed at http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/environ/economic/pages/the-plan.aspx. The first of the ten priorities is housing growth, and the 6th covers public land. Under the housing priority the LEP identifies key actions and asks of Government: “Northamptonshire is creating a £100m plus Revolving Infrastructure Fund (RIF) to unlock major developments creating new homes and jobs through upfront funding of major infrastructure. The RIF is being established by Northamptonshire County Council working closely with Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership, the borough and district councils, and the new Local Transport Body. A unique aspect of this approach is the county council front finding design and implementation costs. It is willing to do this and take on a long-term view of investment where there is a sufficiently sound business case. “Pivotal to this is a supportive local planning authority willing to align and share development-related funding streams to help repay upfront investment. The first three schemes which are being progressed are:

• £36m Daventry Development Link • £20m Northampton to Kettering Development Link (Phase 1) • £17.9m gateway bridge unlocking the Stanton Cross development at Wellingborough

“These schemes will initially unlock 10,000 homes and 15,000 jobs, with a potential £4bn return to the national economy. Separate work is being advanced to agree and fund the infrastructure need to release the Kettering East development which could contribute a further £1.2bn to the economy. Activity is also underway to unlock development at other growth towns across Northamptonshire. “Ask of Government

• Government support for the Northamptonshire RIF and its innovative approach • Ability to align and incorporate devolved major transport scheme funding with the

Northamptonshire RIF to add-value and enable more development to be released • Greater certainty on education capital funding to enable larger schemes to be delivered

and provide better value for money • Government to enable the concept of a ‘Single Capital Pot’ to provide added value and

minimise need for additional bureaucracy, costs and delays through aligning with existing governance and accountable body activities

• Government support for strategic infrastructure to unlock Kettering East and Stanton Cross developments”

http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/environ/economic/pages/the-plan.aspx

http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/environ/economic/pages/the-plan.aspx


Under the priority on public land the LEP Ask of Government includes the “Ability to incorporate Homes & Communities Agency (HCA), West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) and other assets as part of a wider asset utilisation and exploitation programme.” Furthermore, Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership identifies four different sectors as key for the growth of the region. These priorities are:

• High performance Technologies • Logistics and supplies • Food and Drink • Creative and Cultural Industries

The LEP secured £5.8m from the Growing Places Fund (GPF) to be targeted toward the development of housing, and providing new jobs in the region. The LEP welcomes new funding bids for this fund. Brief information about the LEP’s plan for housing can be found at http://bit.ly/10RASyB. The LEP is also supporting SEMLEP’s Enterprise Zone at the Northampton Waterside, which is home to housing and construction companies as well as a variety of other businesses designed to provide employment opportunities for the region. The LEP is a key partner in the Love Northamptonshire project, designed to attract inward investment. You can find out more detail here: http://www.lovenorthamptonshire.com. The LEP has a library of documents, reports and other data, which provide greater detail on the work of the LEP. All of these files are available to download from http://bit.ly/oUCizx. LEP Structure The main Board of the LEP is supported by a network of ‘Northamptonshire Ambassadors’, whose role is to involve local leaders from different sectors in the planning and development of regional policy to develop Northamptonshire economically. A full list of different sectors that are represented in the Ambassador programme, as well as individuals currently involved, can be found at http://www.northamptonshireep.co.uk/promoting-northamptonshire/northamptonshire-ambassadors/. The LEP maintains a blog which posts information relating to the work of the LEP so organisations can be kept up-to-date. It is available at http://bit.ly/Jvszja. The LEP also has an email newsletter which can be signed up to at http://bit.ly/Ji8OLF. The key contact for this LEP is Sajeeda Rose: Telephone: 0160 460 9548 Email: [email protected]

http://bit.ly/10RASyB

http://www.lovenorthamptonshire.com/

http://bit.ly/oUCizx

http://www.northamptonshireep.co.uk/promoting-northamptonshire/northamptonshire-ambassadors/

http://www.northamptonshireep.co.uk/promoting-northamptonshire/northamptonshire-ambassadors/

http://bit.ly/Jvszja

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Funding Activity For the £5.8m GPF funding the LEP has prioritised projects which develop the region’s infrastructure, housing and employment so housing associations are well placed to take advantage of available money. The application for funding can be found at http://bit.ly/10RASyB. Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership has a notional European Structural and Investment Funding allocation of 55m Euros. Their draft strategy includes a proposal to work with other LEPs and opt in to the financial instrument for low carbon retrofit of social housing. The full strategy can be downloaded here: http://www.northamptonshireep.co.uk/resources/uploads/files/Northamptonshire%20Draft%20ESIF%20Plan.pdf. Housing Association Involvement Relevant Board members include:

• David Laing, Community and Voluntary Sector representative on the Board (Land and Development)

• James Saunders Watson (Property Development) • John Markham (Regeneration) • David Reynolds (Regeneration)

From April 2014 John Markham will take over as Chair of the LEP. John is the current chairman of the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation and was previously chairman of the Whitehaven Development Company. Many different groups are involved in the Northamptonshire Ambassador programme. Some key contacts include Nick Bolton, Director of Investment at the North Northants Development Company, which aims to provide housing and regeneration projects. Also represented in the programme is Peter Mawson, Chief Executive of the West Northants Development Company and Alfred Buller of Bee Bee Developments, a property development company specialising in urban regeneration. A full list of Ambassadors can be found at http://bit.ly/K4HMFg. The Federation have met with Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership on several occasions with local members, opening discussions about the role of housing and housing associations in the future economic growth of the county. These discussions have been positive, focusing on the 10 point plan, European funding and opportunities for consultation on future Growth Plans. If you are involved with the Northamptonshire LEP or have any information to add to this briefing please let us know by emailing [email protected].

http://bit.ly/10RASyB

http://www.northamptonshireep.co.uk/resources/uploads/files/Northamptonshire%20Draft%20ESIF%20Plan.pdf

http://www.northamptonshireep.co.uk/resources/uploads/files/Northamptonshire%20Draft%20ESIF%20Plan.pdf

http://bit.ly/K4HMFg



4. Leicester & Leicestershire Local Enterprise Partnership

The LEP for this region was first convened in September 2010, and approved by central government in October 2010. The LEP has a website, which can be found at http://bit.ly/l9gPYb. It also has a Twitter feed where up to date news and information can be found. It is located at http://bit.ly/XwiVxw. The LEP provides information regarding population, demographics and economic information available at http://bit.ly/11Rl26t. The LEP has a newsletter, which can be used to keep up-to-date on the activities of the LEP. An archive of newsletters can be found at http://bit.ly/XBSDum and subscribers can receive email updates by signing up at http://bit.ly/VldLtS. The LEP website has a calendar of events detailing workshops, conferences and other talks which the LEP is involved in covering a range of issues. The calendar of events can be found at http://bit.ly/Vle3kr. City Deal On 24 March 2014 the Government signed the Leicester and Leicestershire City Deal which is expected to unlock over £130m of public and private sector investment. The main aim is to halve youth unemployment through a Young Persons Pledge by giving all 16-24 year olds “the chance to secure sustained employment, education and training.” The City Deal has three main strands:

• The Leicester and Leicestershire ‘to work’ scheme • Supporting private sector growth • Unlocking sites to support economic growth

Under the third strand, the City Deal aims to “enhance joint working between local authorities and the Homes and Communities Agency to co-ordinate the disposal and development of publically owned land.” Both brownfield and greenfield land should be released in order to bring jobs and housing to the area and all local authorities in the area will upload publically owned assets to the e-Pims database. A £7.5m funding package has been agreed to support the expansion of the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Parks. This is expected to lever in £50m of local funding by 2020.The City Deal also includes plans to consult on the Community Infrastructure Levy in light of the newly commissioned Strategic Housing Market Assessments (SHMA) and active local plan processes in a number of places. The full City Deal agreement can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/city-deal-leicester-and-leicestershire

http://bit.ly/l9gPYb

http://bit.ly/XwiVxw

http://bit.ly/11Rl26t

http://bit.ly/XBSDum

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http://bit.ly/Vle3kr

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/city-deal-leicester-and-leicestershire


Board Members The LEP has a board with seventeen members made up of nine private sector members, seven public sector representatives and one representative from the voluntary sector. They are:

• Andrew Bacon, Chair, Director British Gas • Aatin Anandkat, Managing Director Hotel Maiyango • Stuart Bray, Leader Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council • Professor Bob Burgess, Vice Chancellor University of Leicester • Ted Cassidy, Councillor Leicester City Council • Phillip Cox, Director Lafarge Aggregates • John Edmond, Vice Chair LLEP, Senior Partner Marrons Solicitors • Bernard Greaves, Chair of Trustees Voluntary Action Leicester • Richard Harvey, Managing Director Manor Farm Feeds Ltd • Dennis Kent, Former Managing Director Carlton Laser • Nick Rushton, Leader Leicestershire County Council • Blake Pain, Councillor and Cabinet Member, Leicestershire County Council • Marion Plant OBE, Principle and CEO North Warwickshire and Hinckley College • Nick Pulley, Regional Director Santander • David Slater, Leader Charnwood Borough Council • Sir Peter Soulsby, City Mayor Leicester City Council • Donna Williams, Vice Chair LLEP, Finance Director MIRA Ltd.

A full profile of LEP Board members can be found at http://bit.ly/1eUGs8K The LEP is advertising for a Private Sector Chair and new Private Sector Board Members to begin in April 2014. Details can be found here: http://bit.ly/OXP5FZ LEP Priorities The LEP identifies three key aims and ambitions which it deems important to the development of the region. By 2020 the LEP aims to have:

• Created 45,000 private sector jobs • Attracted £2bn private sector investment • Increased Gross Value Added (GVA) by £4bn to £23bn

The Economic Growth Plan for the region provides more detail on these aims. Specifically it aims to:

• Increase the availability of land for use in employment and infrastructure projects • Increase the provision of a range of quality housing to promote growth and development

http://bit.ly/1eUGs8K

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• Increase the number and flexibility of work placements, apprenticeships and internships The LEP recognises that the development of housing in the region will potentially have a number of economic benefits, such as an increase in locally available jobs and apprenticeships, as well as leading to the development of local infrastructure in order to link up new housing developments. The development of new housing is also part of a plan to deliver on sustainable communities and improved green spaces around housing provision. There is also a recognition that housing development needs to be linked to the development of locally available employment opportunities in order to drive further growth and investment in the region. The LEP plans to implement its policy for housing by:

• Co-ordinating the implantation of the Leicester and Leicestershire Local Investment Plan (LIP) and deliver on the Growth Transition Fund (GTF) programme

• Invest in key infrastructure to unlock and accelerate new housing development sites • Investment in sustainable technologies which can be used to construct high quality and

sustainable homes The LEP has created a Local Investment Plan (LIP) and an economic assessment on housing which gives detailed data and policy information on the LEP’s plan for housing in Leicester and Leicestershire. These documents can be found at http://bit.ly/148gp7r and http://bit.ly/W2aDSh. The Economic Growth Plan for the LEP also contains information on the LEP’s plan for housing and can be found at http://bit.ly/XzR5B4. LEP Structure The LEP has a Housing, Planning & Infrastructure Group that brings together representatives from the local authorities and HCA. The group’s activities include co-ordinating commissions around strategic housing market assessments; employment land surveys; assessments of key infrastructure requirements; resilience matters with utility providers; and large scale infrastructure requirements. Key tasks are:

• To encourage and shape an effective policy framework in order to consider, recognise and evaluate the impact of housing, employment land and infrastructure across the sub-region

• To encourage partnership working within the LLEP Single growth programme, City Deal and EU Structural funds

• To identify key priorities for investment and ensure coordination and delivery of individual, joint and/or cross boundary projects and programmes related to housing, employment land and infrastructure

• To advise and support on the preparation of coordinated and aligned Local Plans and joint studies

• To help shape the future delivery of sustainable housing, employment and infrastructure across the sub-region

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http://bit.ly/W2aDSh

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Christine Fisher (Chief Executive of North West Leicestershire District Council) chairs the group. The LEP has also set up an Environment & Infrastructure working group for the purposes of developing their European strategy, which may continue on to help support the development of the Growth Plan. The key contacts for this LEP are: Mandip Rai Telephone: 0116 252 7312 Email: [email protected] Paul McKim, Planning & Infrastructure Delivery Manager Email: [email protected] Funding Activity The LEP has access to £13.1m of funding from the Growing Places Fund and this fund is targeted towards the priority areas identified as important by the LEP, in particular infrastructure and housing development that will provide jobs for the region. The LEP allocated £1.6m for junction and road improvements at Bardon Grange near Coalville to release access for a 3,500 housing development, including 700 affordable homes and employment land. Further details of how funding from the second round (totalling £8.7m) has been allocated are available here: http://www.llep.org.uk/front/Growing%20Places%20Fund/growing-places-fund/214541/214353. For more information, contact Andy Rose on 0116 252 8651 or email [email protected]. The LEP also has RGF funding. Round 5 opened on October 11th and closed in December 2013. Funds are due to be announced for private sector bidders seeking £1 million or more for high quality projects or programmes that leverage private sector investment and create sustainable jobs. More information is available here http://www.llep.org.uk/rgf5. The LEP has a European Structural and Investment Funding notional allocation of 126m Euros. Their draft strategy, available here, http://www.llep.org.uk/EUSIF, includes opting into the Social Housing Financial Instrument prospectus for the low carbon retrofit of social housing. The LEP has detailed information contained in its LIP about different schemes and potential funding. The LIP can be found at http://bit.ly/148gp7r. A funding pot of £3.3m European funding and £7.8m Regional Growth Fund has been made available to provide grants to local businesses. Since the scheme started in early 2013 over £2.3m has been awarded to 17 businesses.



http://www.llep.org.uk/front/Growing%20Places%20Fund/growing-places-fund/214541/214353

http://www.llep.org.uk/front/Growing%20Places%20Fund/growing-places-fund/214541/214353


http://www.llep.org.uk/rgf5

http://www.llep.org.uk/EUSIF

http://bit.ly/148gp7r


Housing Association Involvement The Federation met with the Chair of the LEP over summer 2013. The Chief Executives of EMH and Asra have set up a group to feed in directly to the LEP. It is intended that this group expands to become an ‘East Midlands Construction Group’, feeding in to LEPs across the region. The Federation is supporting wider engagement into that group through the East Midlands Development Regional Interest Group. The purpose is to create an offer of what the sector can deliver with the right support and a list of projects the LEP may be able to help with. John Edmond, the Vice Chair of the LEP, has worked with several Housing Associations in his role as senior planning solicitor at Marrons. He was involved in Federation activity around promoting the value of investment in housing across the region, chairing the regional Housing Investment Summit in December 2012 and offering on-going advice and support on LEP engagement. One Board member who has an interest in issues of community and social development is Bernard Greaves of Voluntary Action Leicester. He specialises in work with community, public and private sector organisations and works primarily in the areas of architecture and the development of economically deprived areas. The LEP does have an extensive range of material in its library relating to the provision of housing, as well as subsequent development of communities, green space, employment and infrastructure (see above for links). It is recommended that Federation members get in contact with the LEP key contacts (see above) in order to gain more detailed information on how to get involved with the LEP. If you are involved with the Leicester and Leicestershire LEP or have any information to add to this briefing please let us know by emailing [email protected].

5. South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership

The South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) started in May 2011. Its main source of information and news is its website which can be found at: http://www.semlep.com/. The LEP also has a LinkedIn account, which can be found at: http://linkd.in/1mwEMqq. SEMLEP overlaps with the Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership (see above), with SEMLEP covering much of Northamptonshire. The LEP has a subscription service so that individuals can keep abreast of any developments in the LEPs work and activities. The newsletter can be signed up to on the main website of the LEP. The latest news can also be read by visiting http://bit.ly/WoS2vX. The LEP also has a calendar of meetings and events in the region. The calendar can be found at http://bit.ly/SGDcnA. Board Members


http://www.semlep.com/

http://linkd.in/1mwEMqq

http://bit.ly/WoS2vX

http://bit.ly/SGDcnA


The LEP board has 18 members. They are:

• Dr Ann Limb OBE DL, Chair • Mary Clarke, Leader of South Northamptonshire Council • Neil Blake, Aylesbury Vale District Council • James Jamieson, Central Bedfordshire Council • Sian Timoney, Deputy Leader, Luton Borough Council • Andrew Geary, Leader Milton Keynes Council • Mayor Dave Hodgson, Leader of Bedford Borough Council • Rae Levene, Managing Partner Park Woodfine Herald Mellows LLP • David Mackintosh, Leader of Northampton Borough Council* • Jane Roemer, Chief Executive, Northamptonshire ACRE • Miguel Fragoso, Chief Executive, Millbrook Proving Ground • Ian Stuart, Regional Managing Director, Global Radio • Professor Nick Petford, Vice Chancellor University of Northampton* • Richard Phillips, Managing Director Silverstone Holdings Ltd* • Chris Scarrott, Managing Director Roquette UK Ltd • Alan Humphreys, Group Chief Executive, Grand Union Housing Group • Cheryl Smart MBE, Chief Executive Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce • Tom Wells, Chairman Leawood Manufacturing

*These members also sit on the Board of the Northamptonshire Local Enterprise Partnership A full profile of LEP Board Members can be found at http://bit.ly/VnLCPe. LEP Priorities By 2015 the LEP aims to become “one of the most innovative, successful and high performing LEPs in England.” It intends to achieve this by raising the Gross Value Added (GVA) for the area by providing a forum for co-operation between public and private sector organisations. The LEP identifies a number of key sectors which it aims to prioritise in order to achieve its overarching aim. Priority areas are divided into two categories: ‘Enabling Activities’ and ‘Sectors’. Enabling Activities identified as important are:

• The creation of an Enterprise Zone at the Northampton waterside • ‘Digital Infrastructure’ and high speed broadband • Physical infrastructure (transport) to support further development projects • Inward investment programs to stimulate local growth and development • Improving skills, and improving education, apprenticeships etc to meet the need of

businesses, the public sector and social enterprises • Supporting all local authorities in the LEP area to deliver their economic development

plans

http://bit.ly/VnLCPe


• A commitment to create 15,000 apprenticeships by August 2014 and to raise awareness amongst businesses about the importance of apprenticeships.

Sectors defined as important for investment and growth are:

• Advanced Manufacturing and Technology • Creative Industries • Green Economy • High Performance Technologies • Logistics • Visitor Economy

The LEP has recently released its Infrastructure Investment Plan, which will form the basis of its Growth Plan negotiations. This is available here: http://www.semlep.com/infrastructure-investment-plan/. The plan identifies the supply of homes as the biggest challenge in the SEMLEP area, and brings together potential development sites in the appendix. Sites for new homes are also detailed by Council area and are available on the link above. The LEP has a large library of reports, policy outlines, Board minutes and other key documents that are available for download, and which provide detailed data and policy information for the LEPs identified priority areas. The library of documents can be found at http://bit.ly/V9fzRt. LEP Structure The main Board of the LEP is separated into Advisory Group Leaders, Showcase Sector Leaders and Enabling Activities Leader. These three groups provide advice and have helped to create the LEP Business Plan for 2013-2014. One of the Advisory Groups operated by the LEP is the Advisory Group for the Voluntary and Community sector. This Group is led by Mike Nussbaum, who is a member of the Board and who works primarily in community development and other areas of the charity sector. There is also a Planning, Development and Infrastructure sub-group which Alan Humphreys from Grand Union Housing is part of. The key contact for this LEP is Hilary Chipping: Telephone: 0123 443 6100 Email: [email protected] Funding Activity RGF round four funding bids have been submitted to Government. The LEP has identified four priority areas that have been put forward as the most likely to receive funding. Details are available here: http://www.semlep.com/regional-growth-fund/. Round 5 is now open until 9 December.

http://www.semlep.com/infrastructure-investment-plan/

http://www.semlep.com/infrastructure-investment-plan/

http://bit.ly/V9fzRt


http://www.semlep.com/regional-growth-fund/


In 2012 the LEP received £18.7m from the government in GPF funding. The LEP has invested in two major projects related to housing, employment and infrastructure development. Firstly it has invested £2.5m Marston Vale and Wootton Housing (hoping to attract an extra £200m investment from the business park). Secondly, it has invested £2m into housing development east of Kettering, providing 5,500 new homes and up to 6,000 new jobs. The project is designed to attract more investment into infrastructure and jobs from the private sector to create a sustainable community. The LEP has a European Structural and Investment funding notional allocation of 88.3m Euros. Their strategy is downloadable from the following page: http://www.semlep.com/eu-investment-strategy-19-08-13-10-08-live/. SEMLEP indicate that they are interested in opting in to the financial instrument for the low carbon retrofit of social housing. Housing Association Involvement The LEP has an active development subgroup. Alan Humphreys, Chief Executive of Grand Union Housing and formerly of the development subgroup, has recently been appointed to the Board. If you are involved with the South East Midlands LEP or have any information to add to this briefing please let us know by emailing [email protected]

6. Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership (D2N2)

The D2N2 LEP was recognised officially in October 2011 and has been in operation since. It maintains a website which can be found at http://bit.ly/10SdL6b. There is also a Twitter feed located at http://bit.ly/Y3rDWC. The LEP offers an email subscription service in order to keep up with LEP news, information on available funding, and job opportunities that are available for the LEP. The subscription system can be signed up to by visiting http://bit.ly/10IOkzi. The LEP also maintains a calendar of events which has news of the latest events related to the LEP at http://bit.ly/10IQ8bv as well as a news feed for the latest information on the LEPs activities, available at http://bit.ly/TwO4Wy. Board Members The LEP Board has 15 members, with one vacancy for a business representative from Derbyshire. They are:

• Peter Richardson, Chair • Trevor Fletcher, Chairman The Hardstaff Group • Peter Gadsby, Ark Capital • Richard Horsley, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce

http://www.semlep.com/eu-investment-strategy-19-08-13-10-08-live/

http://www.semlep.com/eu-investment-strategy-19-08-13-10-08-live/


http://bit.ly/10SdL6b

http://bit.ly/Y3rDWC

http://bit.ly/10IOkzi

http://bit.ly/10IQ8bv

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• Professor John Coyne, Vice Chancellor University of Derby • Jon Collins, Leader of Nottingham City Council • Paul Baylis, Leader of Derby City Council • Alan Rhodes, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council • Anne Western, Leader Derbyshire County Council • Roger Blaney, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council • John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council • Asha Khemka, Principal of West Nottinghamshire College • Liz Fothergill, Chief Executive Pennin Healthcare • Rob Crowder, Chief Executive for Rural; Community Action Nottinghamshire • Chris Marples, Chief Executive of Inspirepac

A full profile of Board members can be found at: http://bit.ly/V3DXWr. Minutes from Board meetings are available to download from http://bit.ly/10IN1Ap. LEP Priorities The LEP has identified four strategic priorities in order to develop the area’s economy. These are:

• Developing Business Skills – skills, education and training • Supporting Innovation • Access to finance • Effective infrastructure

In addition to these strategic priorities the LEP has identified six areas of economic focus. These are:

• Advanced Transport Engineering • Health and Bioscience (including healthcare delivery) • Food and Beverages • Construction – including planning, housing development, land use and related

employment opportunities • The Visitor Economy • Low Carbon Technology – including sustainable planning a development

The LEP has produced their Strategy for Growth 2013-2023, which will form the basis of their Growth Plan submission. Their target is to create 55,000 jobs by 2023, which will come mainly from the private sector. Under the Infrastructure priority the LEP state on housing: “D2N2 recognises the key role of house building and maintenance as drivers of economic activity and demand, particularly for the construction sector. Housing is often a key contributor to the viability of industrial and commercial schemes that are part of mixed-use developments and an essential element supporting sustainable communities. Planning and social housing

http://bit.ly/V3DXWr

http://bit.ly/10IN1Ap


policies are properly operated by local authorities. D2N2 will continue to support housing development, through schemes like the Growing Places fund, where is it part of a wider development creating long-term sustainable employment.” The strategy is available here: http://www.d2n2lep.org/write/Audio/D2N2_Strategy_for_Growth_2013-23_LR_05.07.13.pdf. The LEP has conducted in depth research into the economic profile of the area, as well as identifying what the priority areas of the LEP are. The data includes a Skills Plan and several research reports which have been conducted by the Nottingham Business School’s Economic Strategy Research Bureau. This data is available for download at http://bit.ly/SLRray and http://bit.ly/Vy3OWk. On 19 December 2013 consultations opened on the LEP’s draft Strategic Economic Plan. Final submission to Government is due on 31 March 2014. The LEP identifies five areas of Priority Actions designed to support growth and recovery. These Priority Actions are:

• Infrastructure – increasing connectivity • Accelerating development • Business-led growth and innovation • Employment and skills • Governance

The Priority Action on accelerating development includes a proposed major sites programme in partnership with the HCA. The housing section in ‘understanding the D2N2 economy’ projects a population increase of 80,000 households by 2021 and identifies five housing market areas:

• Nottingham area • Northern area • Peak sub-region • Sherwood Forest area • Derby area

The LEP recognises that each of these housing market areas presents their own challenges and opportunities. The full draft Strategic Economic Plan can be found at: http://bit.ly/1l7xeaC LEP Structure The LEP website has a private section of the website only available to partner organisations, including local authorities, business groups and educational establishments. The LEP website does not currently have any information on how to directly become involved in the work done by the LEP or how to become a partner organisation in the work that the LEP carries out. The

http://www.d2n2lep.org/write/Audio/D2N2_Strategy_for_Growth_2013-23_LR_05.07.13.pdf

http://bit.ly/Vy3OWk

http://bit.ly/1l7xeaC


Federation recommends that members contact the key contact for this LEP in order to find out more information. The key contact for this LEP is Matthew Wheatley: Telephone: 0115 957 8757 Email: [email protected] Funding Activity The LEP has secured £24m in funding from the GPF fund. The priority for the LEP is to use this fund to develop the Nottinghamshire Enterprise Zone, as well as to develop infrastructure which is designed to boost further investment and growth. Details are available here: http://www.d2n2lep.org/GPF. RGF funding in the region has been designed to create rapidly employment opportunities, as well as delivering on key priorities and sectors for the region, including the development of construction and infrastructure (including housing) and the provision of employment opportunities. The LEP recommends signing up for the email subscription service (see above) in order to keep up to date with the latest news on available funding bids. D2N2 have a notional European Structural and Investment Funding allocation of 249.7m Euros. Over the summer the LEP expressed interest in the Social Housing Financial Instrument but it is not clear if they are currently suggesting opting in to the prospectus. Housing Association Involvement There are currently at least two members of the Board that members may have links to. These are Councillor Jon Collins, who has a background in urban regeneration and housing development, and Councillor Paul Baylis, who spent ten years as the Vice Chair of Derby Homes, Derby City Council’s housing management company. From March 2013 the LEP has appointed David Ralph to the new position of Chief Executive. David has a long track record of working in economic development and regeneration including, including lead roles at Bristol New Deal for Communities and the Haven Gateway Partnership in Suffolk. If you are involved with the D2N2 LEP or have any information to add to this briefing please let us know by emailing [email protected].


http://www.d2n2lep.org/GPF



7. LEP timetable

8. Appendix A – Funding streams

Regional Growth Fund and Growing Places Fund The Government is keen to use LEPs and Enterprise Zones as a way of focusing resources onto economic growth. Two key sources of funding for LEPs are the Regional Growth Fund and the Growing Places Fund. The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is a £3.2bn fund operating across England from 2011 to 2016. It supports projects and programmes that lever private sector investment to create economic growth and sustainable employment. Funds are accessed through competitive bidding and three rounds of the fund were allocated totalling £2.4bn. Successful projects are listed here http://bit.ly/RItWjo. Selected bids from round four of the RGF, totalling £506m, have recently been announced and are available here http://bit.ly/WzKxr2. Following the June 2013 Spending Round allocation of a further £600m to the RGF, ministers are considering the scope and timing of Round 5. It is expected that announcements will be made in autumn 2013. For more information visit http://bit.ly/WzKxr2. The Growing Places Fund (GPF) totals £770m with each LEP being allocated a share of this funding. The money must be used to help boost economic growth by getting the required

•October 7th 2013 LEPs submit draft plan to Government •End of January 2014 LEPs submit final draft of EUSIF

strategy to Government •March 2014 LEPs develop a pipeline of projects with

local partners for the delivery of European funding •Mid - late 2014 European funds released for spending

European Structural Funding

Strategies

•October 2013 LEPs update Government on progress with Strategic Economic Plans •December 2013 LEPs submit draft Strategic Economic

Plans •March 2014 LEPs submit final Strategic Economic Plans •July 2014 Government announces Single Local Growth

Fund offer to LEPs and concludes Growth Deal negotiations •April 2015 Growth Deals implemented

Growth Plans

http://bit.ly/RItWjo

http://bit.ly/WzKxr2

http://bit.ly/WzKxr2


infrastructure built to enable the creation of new jobs and homes by getting stalled projects moving again. The fund can be used to establish revolving funds to take forward a range of projects that can help facilitate economic growth, jobs and house building in the local area. Each LEP has different arrangements for agreeing which schemes will be supported by the GPF. Some LEPs invited competitive bids whilst others used local intelligence, including in many cases the Local Investment Plans, to agree their priorities. As at August 2013 some LEPs have allocated all their GPF monies whilst others still have some funds available. More information on the GPF is available from http://bit.ly/rV1XU1. Information on all LEP allocations is available from http://bit.ly/Hy4kvJ. The Single Local Growth Fund and Growth Deals The recent independent report from Lord Heseltine, No stone unturned in pursuit of growth, sets out a vision for economic growth driven through unleashing the potential of local economies. In the 2012 Autumn Statement the Chancellor set out the government’s first response to this review. This included giving Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) a greater role in local economic development with LEPs being resourced to produce strategic plans to promote local growth. Looking beyond April 2015 the Government plans to devolve a greater proportion of growth-related spending, on the basis of LEP’s strategic plans, by creating a single funding pot for local areas. Lord Heseltine’s report is available from http://bit.ly/YtaLvY and the Federation’s briefing on the Autumn Statement is available from http://bit.ly/YOljWn. In the June 2013 Spending Round the Chancellor announced that the Single Local Growth Pot would total £2bn a year, from 2015 onwards, totalling £10bn over the next parliament. The annual funding pot will include £1bn from the Department of Transport, £500m for new skills and training, and £400m through the New Homes Bonus, £250m from DCLG and £150m from LG. The Federation’s briefing on the June 2013 Spending Round is available from http://bit.ly/18uRHjf. LEPs will be required to communicate their outline growth plans with the Department of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) at the end of September 2013, before producing a first draft at the end of December 2013. Final drafts of growth plans will be published in March 2014. BIS will announce Growth Deals, including flexibilities and any funding granted through the competitive bidding process, in July 2014. It is expected that growth plans and European funds will be aligned. Government has recently issued guidance to LEPs on Growth Deals, identifying housing associations as key partners. This guidance can be accessed via: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/growth-deals-initial-guidance-for-local-enterprise-partnerships. The Federation’s briefing on the Government guidance on Growth Deals and European funding can be found here http://bit.ly/12U1pwB.

http://bit.ly/rV1XU1

http://bit.ly/Hy4kvJ

http://bit.ly/YtaLvY

http://bit.ly/YOljWn

http://bit.ly/18uRHjf

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/growth-deals-initial-guidance-for-local-enterprise-partnerships

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/growth-deals-initial-guidance-for-local-enterprise-partnerships

http://bit.ly/12U1pwB


City deals A second wave of ‘city deals’ was announced in October 2012 and will see twenty cities and their wider areas compete for deals that would see government devolve powers in exchange for these areas delivering higher local economic growth. Each city and their LEP will be invited to put forward proposals to address a significant local economic issue which requires a transformative approach. There will be an element of competition and not all areas will get a deal. Within the south west Bristol has already negotiated its city deal and Bournemouth, Plymouth and Swindon/Wiltshire are all within wave two. Initial proposals were submitted in January 2013 with the aim of completing the deals by November 2013. More details here http://bit.ly/Q1whoo. European Structural & Investment Funds In March 2013 the Government announced that European Funding for 2014-2020 would be allocated to LEP areas. The European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund and part of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development will be combined into a European Structural and Investment Fund. The key priorities of the funds are:

• ERDF – innovation, SMEs and low carbon • ESF – skills, employment and social inclusion •

All LEP allocations can be seen here http://bit.ly/137seru. The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development has yet to be announced, but Defra have identified 4 types of activities for LEPs. These are:

• Building knowledge and skills in rural areas • Funding and developing new micro, small, and medium sized rural businesses • Funding small scale renewable and broadband rural investments • Rural tourism activities

Cross cutting themes are sustainable development and equality, and social innovation. Whilst the ESIF can support a wide range of activities the most relevant proposal for housing associations is a proposed revolving loan fund for retrofitting social housing. This is one of six national opt-in prospectuses; e.g. LEPs will have the opportunity to apportion some of their ESIF allocation to a national financial intermediary to manage the fund and deliver against agreed performance criteria. The Federation has worked with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to develop this proposal which is now included in Government guidance issued to LEPs. The proposed social housing financial instrument aims to create a strong local market for energy improvement works. Housing associations would borrow money to undertake retrofit

http://bit.ly/Q1whoo

http://bit.ly/137seru


and potential new build (non-ERDF funded) projects. The borrowing would take place on competitive lending terms with long repayment schedules and potential for limited grant funding alongside loan finance. A project portfolio would be developed in close partnership with the relevant LEP team and any ‘opt-in’ contribution from the LEP would be ring-fenced. Aligning the project portfolio to housing associations’ existing asset management plans has the added benefit that work will swiftly begin once the LEP area SIF Strategy and funding is confirmed. SIF funding will be able to leverage significant institutional investment (via the European Investment Bank) – the instrument brings the added value of reducing bureaucracy and finance cost (critical mass) by providing a professional social housing finance intermediary at national level, whilst the LEP retains control over projects in its locality. This financial instrument would deliver a key number of benefits:

• Benefit local firms: a secure pipeline of projects would give local SMEs the certainty to invest in skills training and apprenticeships

• Low carbon economy: kick-start the low carbon sector via investment in existing and new homes

• Reduces grant dependency: a market-led revolving loan fund could be more sustainable • Integrated project: local employment, training and apprenticeships (ESF) integrated into

capital investment projects, e.g. new construction/retrofit (ERDF) In order to progress with the financial instruments LEPs will have to express an interest to opt-in to the revolving loan fund which would then be delivered by a professional social housing finance intermediary. The opt-in would need to be included in LEPs European Structural Investment Strategies. LEPs have until Monday 7th October 2013 to submit their draft European Structural Investment Strategies for the use of their funding allocation, with plans finalised at the end of January 2014 following a period of consultation with Government. More information about the financial instrument can be accessed via http://bit.ly/1e5MPlj (see section 5 of the opt-in prospectuses) and the Federation briefing paper on the funding mechanism for the green retrofit of affordable housing via http://bit.ly/18zI1nN. The Local Impact Fund This is designed for social sector organisations to access. It is a potential mix of grant, loan, and debt. National actors like Big Society Capital will contribute, but there is also potential for local actors like housing associations, CCGs, Universities, and LAs to put funding in to drive the social sector. There are 2 pilots this year, with further guidance to be issued in 2014. The Local Impact Fund and a programme of business and investment readiness support will enable:

http://bit.ly/1e5MPlj

http://bit.ly/18zI1nN


• Start up, incubation, scale up and growth of Social Sector Organisations in deprived areas

• Communities to invest in local assets • Capacity Building support for individuals, teams and organisations • Investment readiness support

There are opportunities to seek funding from ESIF for other projects and activities that housing associations might plan to undertake, including for example Community Led Local Development. Housing associations should explore with their LEP the wide range of regeneration projects that could be funded via ESIF in their neighbourhoods. Further information on funding priorities can be accessed via https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/224089/13-1049ann-framework-of-european-growth-programme-priorities.pdf. If you have any specific questions please contact [email protected].

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/224089/13-1049ann-framework-of-european-growth-programme-priorities.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/224089/13-1049ann-framework-of-european-growth-programme-priorities.pdf


briefing: east midlands local enterprise...

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