The leaders of 35 Local Enterprise Partnerships – powerful coalitions of the private and public sectors – attended a reception at Number 10 Downing Street this week, when they were received by the Prime Minister and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles.
The meeting coincided with the publication of Government guidance for Local Enterprise Partnerships on how to access £2 billion funding per year through Growth Deal negotiations.
These Growth Deals, announced at the last Spending Round, are a something-for-something approach that gives Local Enterprise Partnerships greater decision-making powers over key central government funding including transport and skills, and will award resources according to their strategic plans for economic development.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: “Local Enterprise Partnerships are driving growth across the country with energy and imagination. This Government made sure that the Spending Round put more fuel in their tanks, and local leaders can now make use of £2 billion a year to support new businesses, create new jobs, create thriving communities and make Britain a great place to do business.”
Grahame Nix, Chair of the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership, attended the event.
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