June 2023
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This conference discussed the future for pan-regional partnerships in England and Wales, looking at progress so far and key issues for leadership and strategic development.
It took place in the context of developments in government policy including Investment Zones, county council devolution, and levelling up initiatives.
Delegates looked at lessons that can be learnt and the challenges and opportunities for individual partnership so far, with six pan-regional partnerships having now been established in England and Wales.
We are pleased to have been able include speakers representing the Midlands Engine; the Northern Powerhouse; the NP11; the Oxford to Cambridge Pan-Regional Partnership; the Thames Estuary Growth Board; and the Western Gateway.
Attendees discussed key issues, priorities and the role of the partnerships in delivering future regional industrial and economic strategies, as well as the experience so far and way forward for driving skills, innovation and local business growth.
There was further discussion on strategies and best practice for attracting international investment, particularly in the context of Brexit and global geopolitical, trade and economic pressures.
The agenda also looked at delivering infrastructure projects, and key issues for each region’s environmental sustainability, including integrating climate and net zero strategies into wider development plans.
Following the integration of LEPs into combined authorities and the creation of new county deals, the conference also focused on the future role for LEPs in developing regional economic strategy, as well as their integration and role within partnership bodies.
Sessions in the agenda included discussion on:
- progress and next steps:
- assessing regional economic partnerships so far and the way forward
- developing collaborative leadership of regional economic strategy and planning - coordination of projects and policy
- the role of the partnerships in future policy for devolution and levelling up
- economic development:
- stimulating local and international investment in regional economies - making international investment work for local communities
- the role of regional economic partnerships driving entrepreneurialism
- engagement with new approaches for economic development such as Freeports and Investment Zones
- exporting the economic potential of regional research and innovation clusters
- local stakeholders:
- establishing cross-sector partnerships and projects that enable local business growth
- learning from key and emerging business sectors to establish insight of gaps in investment, skills and infrastructure
- supporting local SMEs
- governance: responsibilities and priorities for business and partnership leaders in effective stakeholder engagement, transparency, scrutiny and strategic direction of partnership operations
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from the CMA; Defra; DBT; Department for Communities; Department for the Economy, NI; DESNZ; DLUHC; DfT; Department of Finance, NI; DWP; Environment Agency; IPO; NIC; Ofsted; UKSA; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government - as well as parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Lords.
