Dan Peters 07 September 2020

LEPs need capacity boost to improve delivery, research finds

Local enterprise partnerships (LEP) would be better at delivering large-scale capital projects if they had more capacity, independent research for the Government has found.

The report for the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy found that the average annual budget reported by LEPs was £1.6m.

Four out of 39 LEPs told researchers their capacity and capabilities were ‘insufficient in relation to the setting of strategy, developing and delivering programmes, and ensuring robust governance,’ with one saying they were having to ‘beg, borrow and steal because we don’t have sufficient capacities’.

Two out of five LEPs said they did not have the confidence to offer the terms and conditions necessary to recruit high quality staff.

The report read: ‘Several LEPs talked about, either at the focus groups or via the census, how they struggled to recruit more experienced staff due to the inability to offer terms and conditions that matched what was available from other employers locally.’

Researchers also recommended that ‘increased expectations be made of LEPs evaluation and validation practices of the projects they deliver, and of themselves’.

Chair of the LEP Network, Mark Bretton, said: ‘As business-led LEPs we do what needs to be done, and we adapt our capability and capacity to environments at rapid pace – a vital part of building the local economic recovery we all need.’

For more on this story, visit The MJ (£).

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner