Economy-boosting Local Enterprise Partnership to continue under county councils
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Business support and other economy-boosting services delivered by New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) are to continue following its integration into Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils.
Key functions and employees of the LEP will formally transfer to the authorities on 1 April 2024 as part of the Government’s countrywide devolution process. Its functions include business representation, strategic economic planning, and responsibility for the delivery of government programmes where directed.
Vital business support will continue to be provided by New Anglia Growth Hub – which delivers the LEP’s business growth programme, including the administration of grant schemes – as its teams in both Norfolk and Suffolk transfer.
The Growth Hub has proved a lifeline for businesses and the region’s economy, with the economic impact of its Business Growth Programme measured over a 10-year period at a staggering £1,032,797,741 in terms of new jobs and those safeguarded.
Jason Middleton, Programmes Manager in Norfolk County Council’s Economic Development team said: “We’re pleased that the vital and high value business support delivered by New Anglia Growth Hub continues in Norfolk and Suffolk. Our advisers are qualified professionals who have local knowledge and decades of own business experience. The thousands of owners and managers we have supported with operations, growth, HR, marketing, net zero transition and resilience have benefitted immediately.
“Running your own business is often challenging and busy, so you can count on New Anglia Growth Hub as your first point of call for advice, growth and support.”
Major construction and infrastructure projects across Norfolk have received significant funding thanks to the LEP’s Growth Deal with Government, which secured £223.5m for the region to 2021. These include the recently opened Herring Bridge in Great Yarmouth, the Digi-Tech Factory at City College Norwich, and Productivity East, the centre for engineering, technology and management at the University of East Anglia.
Great Yarmouth’s Operations & Maintenance Campus for the offshore industry, and the North Walsham Town Centre improvements were among the shovel-ready schemes for which the LEP secured £32.1m from the Government’s Getting Building Fund.
The LEP’s impressive legacy can also be seen in the projects supported via its Growing Places Fund, such as Broadland Food Innovation Centre at the Food Enterprise Park at Honingham, and the power upgrade for businesses at Snetterton Park.
Both councils have worked closely in the run-up to the transition and are keen to build on the LEP’s 13-year legacy.
Established in 2011 by the then coalition government, New Anglia LEP has:
- Attracted around £350m in Government funding to Norfolk and Suffolk, attracting a further £1.3bn in public and private sector funds.
- Awarded over 1,800 grants totalling £51.4m to businesses and organisations in the region.
- Invested £4.172m in high growth businesses through its angel co-fund New Anglia Capital.
- Supported over 13,000 businesses and delivered nearly 74,000 hours of support via New Anglia Growth Hub.
- Added £1bn to the local economy over 10 years through its Business Growth Programme.
- Supported the delivery of 5,476 jobs and 222 businesses via its Enterprise Zones.
Cllr Kay Mason Billig, leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “We have valued working with the New Anglia LEP to boost Norfolk’s economy, infrastructure and skills. Thousands of businesses have benefited from the LEP’s support, and we will ensure that we keep the momentum going when LEP staff and functions transfer to us.
“The addition of skills and capabilities from the LEP team will strengthen the council’s ability to deliver its enhanced role as the Government’s designated lead body for economic development.”
Cllr Richard Smith MVO, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Skills, Transport Strategy and Waste, said: “I am greatly appreciative of the positive impact the New Anglia LEP has had on business, innovation, skills, jobs and much more in Suffolk. Its achievements speak for themselves, with thousands of jobs created, thousands of businesses supported, and millions of pounds invested since it was established in 2011.
“A key part of the LEP’s integration will be the establishment of a new Suffolk Business Board, which will be a forum for business, education and local political leaders to shape a compelling economic strategy and identity for Suffolk, attract new investment, build strong partnerships and act as an advocate for Suffolk’s economy at a national level.”