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Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

Local Enterprise Partnerships are locally-owned partnerships between local authorities and businesses formed to play a central role in determining local economic priorities.

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What are the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs)?

Local Authorities were invited by Government in June 2010 to forward proposal for Local Enterprise Partnerships.

The Department for Communities and Local Government define Local Enterprise Partnerships as locally-owned partnerships between local authorities and businesses formed to play a central role in determining local economic priorities and undertaking activities to drive economic growth and the creation of local jobs. It also sees them as a key vehicle in delivering Government objectives for economic growth and decentralisation, whilst also providing a means for local authorities to work together with business in order to quicken the economic recovery.

Is the East Riding of Yorkshire Council a member of any Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs)?

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is a member of two Local Enterprise Partnerships; the Humber LEP and York, North Yorkshire & East Riding LEP.

The East Riding is a member of two LEPs due to the wide and diverse geography of the East Riding which encompasses four functional economic areas. These functional economic areas are explained fully within our Local Economic Assessment. The two LEPs which the East Riding is a member, ensure that all our functional economic areas are covered by LEP arrangements to progress their needs and promote their assets.

Strategic priorities - York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP

The York & North Yorkshire LEP are serviced by the North & North Yorkshire Partnership Unit and have the following Strategic Priorities:

  • Agri-Food;
  • Tourism;
  • High Speed Broadband;
  • Business Support;
  • Business Networks;
  • Coastal Regeneration; and
  • Skills and Training.

More Information on the York & North Yorkshire LEP can be accessed on the Enterprise Partnership

Enterprise Partnership website (external website)

Strategic priorities - Humber

Humber LEP now formed and led by the private sector via Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce has the outlined the following strategic priorities:

Strategic Priorities for the Humber LEP are:

  • Co-ordinate public and private sector activity that is targeted at growing our three key growth sectors (renewable energy, ports and logistics, and chemicals);
  • Lead on 16-19 and adult skills strategy, particularly in relation to the key sectors listed above;
  • Take responsibility for the 'Humber business brand'.

Within the Humber LEP there is a North Bank Partnership which will promote action important to business in the Humber LEP area which is outside the strategic priorities of the Humber LEP. This North Bank Partnership will promote action on Tourism, Business Support, Housing, Place Shaping, Transport, Planning and Rural Issues.

Further Information on the Humber LEP can be accessed on the Enterprise Partnership website:

Enterprise Partnership website (external website)

What is an Enterprise Zone?

The 2011 Budget announced that Government would establish 21 new Enterprise Zones in LEP areas within England. Enterprise Zones are allocated areas designed to stimulate economic growth through simplified planning requirements, favourable tax allowances and discounted business rates. It is intended that these Zones have the potential to develop innovative solutions to address the specific local economic challenges.

Are there any Enterprise Zones in the Humber?

On the 17th of August 2011 it was confirmed that the Humber LEP’s bid for an enterprise zone was approved by the Government.

The focus of this successful bid was upon the renewable energy sector and efforts to develop a national significant energy cluster on the Humber.

The Humber LEP’s bid covers 375 hectares on three sites:

  • Green Port Hull (Alexandra Dock), Hull
  • Queen Elizabeth Dock, Hull
  • Able Marine Energy Park (southern part), North Lincolnshire
  • A reserve site has been approved at Saltend, East Yorkshire

The Humber’s Enterprise Zone is the largest to be announced by the Government to date, and more than double the size of the next biggest.

In response to announcement in October 2011 by BAE Systems regarding their site in Brough, 12 miles west of Hull city centre, The Chancellor of the Exchequer has invited the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to develop proposals for a 2nd Enterprise Zone in the region.

What is the Regional Growth Fund?

The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is a £1.4bn fund operating across England from 2011 to 2014. It supports projects and programmes that lever private sector investment creating economic growth and sustainable employment. It aims particularly to help those areas and communities currently dependent on the public sector to make the transition to sustainable private sector-led growth and prosperity.

A joint bid between East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull City Council was approved in round two of this Fund to support the Enterprise Zone proposal in developing skills and supply chains for the renewable energy sector.

What research has been undertaken to understand the economy of the East Riding?

East Riding of Yorkshire Council regularly undertake a Local Economic Assessment which draws together a wide range of economic information into one coherent document:

Local Economic Assessment (pdf 6mb)

Research reports

As well as this, the East Riding and partners also undertake research from time to time in order to understand distinct elements of the East Riding's Economy.

The reports from recent research are attached below:

M62/A63 Corridor Transport Feasibility Study

This study has been commissioned by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull City Council to examine the accessibility of strategic employment sites in the M62-A63 corridor. These sites are important in supporting the new sustainable energy allocations in the North Sea.

M62-A63 Corridor Transport Feasibility Study (pdf 2mb)

Business Support beyond 2012 on the Humber North Bank

This study outlines what business support provision will be needed by businesses in the East Riding of Yorkshire and Hull City regions to take advantage of the emerging growth opportunities in the Humber region beyond 2011 and what current gaps are evident in this business Support provision:

Business Support Beyond 2011 - Humber North Bank (pdf 864kb)

Progress in the Humber 2010 Statistical Update

This document provides a statistical overview of the Hull and Humber City Region:

Progress in the Hull and Humber Ports City Region (pdf 494kb)

City Relationships : Economic Linkages in Northern City Regions – Hull & Humber Ports

The City Relationships project was undertaken for The Northern Way and the Department for Communities and Local Government. Based on a review of academic literature and a series of case studies of northern city regions, the study developed a concept designed to improve understanding of relationships between places. This report concludes the findings for the Hull & Humber ports area:

Economic Linkages in Northern City Regions – Hull and Humber Ports (pdf 1mb)

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