The Government has today confirmed it will transfer many of the functions undertaken by Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to upper-tier councils and combined authorities.
The announcement by the Department for Business & Trade and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities confirms that by March 2024, county councils, unitary authorities and combined authorities will take on the economic growth and business representation functions of LEPS.
Announced in the spring budget, the Government today said the move would be supported by revenue funding in 2024/25, adding that the details would be ‘confirmed in due course.’
Cllr Tim Oliver, CCN chairman and leader of Surrey County Councils, welcomed the announcement.
‘Today’s decision by the Government is a decisive one and very welcome, drawing a line under recent uncertainty and allows us to get on with integrating Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) functions into upper-tier councils and combined authorities.’
Cllr Oliver also added that LEPs should only continue to function following consultation with the relevant upper-tier council to avoid ‘duplication and confusion locally’.
