Somerset Design Enterprise Network, one of Somerset’s support group for designers, is pleased to announce it’s involvement with the new Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) for Somerset.

In a nutshell, national government and the EU gave money to regional development agencies; in the South West ours is SWRDA; and they would share this money (project dependent) throughout the region.

RDA’s are being closed and now government wants us to have Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP). They say this is to give local communities the power to affect their own destiny and needs.

What’s unique about this is that business owners can be part of the committee/group of LEP’s and last month Somerset Design Enterprise Network attended the event on ‘Life after SWRDA and LEP’s’.

What is a Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)?

LEP’s are a strategic economic partnership between businesses and local authorities.

Based on a ‘functional economic area’, which refers to the real local economy rather than using administrative boundaries, this partnership would direct investment, infrastructure improvements and business support at a local level.

Based on business supply chains, sector specific support, travel to work areas and leisure patterns, the ‘functional economic area’ for Somerset is made up of many councils and industries.

So many businesses across the area can come forward to support this business lead approach. Now a proposal for Somerset is being submitted to the government by the early September deadline.

It is vital that businesses get involved and that there is a clear understanding of the challenges employers are facing so the LEP can be tailored to support local issues.

Getting an LEP for Somerset could mean £20m over two years.

Andrew Knutt, chairman of Somerset Design Enterprise Network said: "We have endorsed Somerset’s LEP submission as it’s important that the business community shows to government that we are proactive and willing to take on new challenges. Moreover, its important that the design sector and creative industries have a voice thats heard. Economic development for the county is very important and we must embrace every opportunity, even though we may not be comfortable with every part of an LEP bid”.