The Local Enterprise Partnership for Devon and Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay – Heart of the South West is inviting contributions and comment on its business plan in a series of sessions running on 8th and 9th of February.
Businesses, individuals and representatives of organisations from across the two counties are welcome to attend the short seminars, which are designed to showcase the proposals for the partnership and encourage discussion around the aims and objectives for the business plan.
Chair of Heart of the South West, Tim Jones said: “ It is vital that the business voice is heard and that a partnership approach is adopted to generate growth and productivity for our area. Local Enterprise Partnerships are designed to be private sector led and driven by business. Any views will be welcomed that ensure we can develop a successful and sustainable future economy. These will be included within our Business and Action plans.
“We want our partnership to be unique and distinctive, with real drive and ability to make changes for good. To do that we need the backing and support of our communities, so I’d encourage people to make the time to attend and comment on our plans.
“These proposals have been developed by talking to a wide range of businesses from all our key sectors and industries, the economy and local business leaders, but we have to ensure that they will meet our needs. We have great ambition to deliver results and we hope that these proposals will enable us to work with others to generate a better quality of life for everyone through growth in our economy.â€
At each of the sessions, the Partnership will be examining their priority areas of Productivity – Enterprise R&D and ICT; Infrastructure – Rail Road and Broadband; Skills – Vocational, Higher and Further; Exporting and Inward Investment, as well as exploring how the partnership will run its day to day operations.
Sessions are free to attend, but as numbers are limited, places are first come first served. Attendance should be confirmed to HotSW@coastmarcoms.co.uk.
8th February, 8-10 am, The Exchange, Bridgwater, Somerset
8th February, 5.30 – 7.30 pm, Dillington House, Ilminster, Somerset
9th February, 8-10 am, The Legacy, Plymouth International Hotel, Plymouth
9th February, 5.30 – 7.30 pm, The Thistle Rougemont Hotel, Exeter
More information is available on the website www.heartofswlep.co.uk
Ends
Notes to Eds:
For more information, contact Liz Waugh or Julie Everett at Coast Communications on 01752 847135 / 07966 388921
Heart of the South West
The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has been formed under the leadership of the private sector supported by the local authorities from Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay and the area’s District Councils. It is one of 32 partnerships created since the Government’s Local Growth White Paper published in October 2010. More information about the work of the LEP is available from the website www.heartofswlep.co.uk.
Growing Places Fund
The Growing Places Fund can be used to establish revolving funds to take forward a range of projects that can help facilitate economic growth and jobs in the local area, providing returns which can be re-invested locally. Through this, local enterprise partnerships will be able to offer secure funding to developers in their area, making it quicker for projects to get off the ground but also securing a return on that investment for the local area.