Bucks Partnership supports local businesses and job growth

Date: 07-09-2010

The County Council and Buckinghamshire businesses plan to help develop and promote a new ‘Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership’ (LEP) within a wider ‘Thames Valley Enterprise Forum’, following the Coalition Government’s decision to abolish the South East Regional Development Agency (SEEDA).

The ‘Thames Valley – Buckinghamshire’ LEP has been developed in partnership with local businesses, education and skills institutions and District Councils. Its objective is to strengthen the local economy by stimulating growth within the private sector and reduce reliance on the public sector.

The proposed ‘Expression of Interest’(EoI) from Buckinghamshire to the Departments for Communities and Local Government (CLG) and Business Innovation and Skills(BIS) proposes a collaborative approach across the Thames Valley with two linked LEPs, one for Buckinghamshire and one for Berkshire working together in a focused ‘Enterprise Forum’. Oxfordshire would also be invited to join the new Forum. This would listen to business, work together on key issues and importantly, represent the region to Government.

Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment, Martin Tett today submitted the EoI saying: “We have been business led throughout. We asked Buckinghamshire businesses what they needed to grow jobs and profits. They told us that their biggest requirement was a strong voice for enterprise within the Thames Valley which would ensure that the Government realised the importance of investing in the success of the region. The businesses were clear that they saw the Thames Valley as their natural ‘functional economic area’, although they obviously trade with London, Milton Keynes and other parts of the UK and overseas.

“They also wanted a strong linkage to local government to ensure the delivery of key infrastructure for growth and with education and vocational skill providers, to ensure they have the skills businesses need for success. We believe that our approach delivers just that.”

The Thames Valley Buckinghamshire LEP would also work with adjoining LEPs, in particular Oxfordshire, but also those in Hertfordshire, West London and the Milton Keynes area on a case by case basis.

Importantly, each local LEP would also address local issues and focus on local business and job growth. Support for this proposal has already come from key business and academic leaders across Buckinghamshire. Over 40 business leaders have endorsed the proposal including John Lewis, Pinewood Studios and the National Enterprise Academy.

Richard Benz, local businessman and Chairman of the Buckinghamshire Business Group states: “The concept of a Thames Valley Enterprise Forum is an imaginative step forward”.

Matt Sutton, Managing Director at Westhall Estates, adds: “We believe that this model will provide the best solution to addressing economic development activity in Buckinghamshire whilst also providing the coalescence of significant mass to ensure that this key area and driver of the UK economy is well represented to central government.”

District support includes that from Lesley Clarke, Leader of Wycombe District Council. “In south Buckinghamshire we are keen to grow new jobs from both existing companies and by attracting new ones. We believe that the new Thames Valley-Buckinghamshire LEP has the potential to help us achieve that.” says Lesley. “The Government must not make the mistake of taking the economic success of the Thames Valley for granted.”

In the near future the major businessperson who will Chair the new Thames Valley-Buckinghamshire LEP will be announced. An invitation has been given to local businesses, District Councils and education and skills providers to participate.

Buckinghamshire LEP Expression of interest (PDF 4,674KB)