What is a Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)?
Local Enterprise Partnerships are partnerships between local businesses and “civic leaders”. The key role of the LEP is to:
“provide the strategic leadership in their areas to set out local economic priorities” and a significant part of its role will be about “removing barriers to growth”.
The Black Country LEP has now established 7 “pillars” of work:
- Access to finance and investment
- Business advice and support
- International trade
- Planning
- Transport
- Skills development and education
- Communication and perception
Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council (WVSC), working with SCVO and other Black Country CVSs, has been asked by Regional Action West Midlands to establish the role of the VCS in the Black Country LEP. Please view a Briefing Paper produced by WVSC which provides further information relating to influencing the LEP.
The role of the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS)
The VCS can contribute to economic growth and it should play a key role in working to ensure that positive impact on the growth reaches our communities, who in turn will contribute to further growth as entrepreneurs, workers, and customers.
It is recommended therefore that the VCS have:-
- Representation on appropriate groups that is of equal status to other members.
- A clear route into the LEP to be able to make an appropriate contribution.
- Involvement in virtual groups around particular themes in order to ensure that the sector is able to have ongoing influence.
If you would like to be involved as a VCS representative please contact SCVO on 0121 525 1127 or e-mail leona@scvo.info.
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