Development of the South East LEP Local Industrial Strategy

In 2014, the LEP produced its first Strategic Economic Plan, underpinning a growth deal worth almost £600m in investment, which supports nearly 200 projects. The investment aims to deliver 78,000 jobs and 29,000 homes by 2021.

In 2018, following the publication of the national Industrial Strategy in 2017, Government mandated that every LEP should produce a Local Industrial Strategy (LIS).  Whilst awaiting further detail and structure from Government, the South East LEP continued its commitment to provide a refresh of the Strategic Economic Plan and in late 2018, we produced an Economic Strategy Statement – Smarter, Faster, Together. This document set out the path towards developing our LIS.

Local Industrial Strategies will be long-term, based on clear evidence and aligned to the national Industrial Strategy.  They must set out clearly defined priorities for the area that will help to maximise its contribution to UK productivity and allow places to make the most of their distinctive strengths.  The expectation of LEPs is set out in the Governments’ policy prospectus.

The LIS has two core aims – to increase productivity and realise potential and allow all communities to contribute to and benefit from economic prosperity.

Local Industrial Strategies will help to inform local choices, prioritise local action and, where appropriate, help to inform decisions at the national level.  They will also provide strategic overview which will inform LEPs’ approach to any future local growth funding.

To drive all areas of productivity, the LIS must tackle the fundamentals of local economies across the five foundations of productivity:

1. Ideas
2. People
3. Place
4. Infrastructure
5. Business Environment.

And where the area can contribute, the LIS should also cite how its priorities and actions can support the grand challenges:

• Artificial Intelligence & Data
• Future of Mobility
• Clean Growth
• Ageing Society

All LEPs in England have a target of completing and agreeing their strategy with Government by March 2020.

Stakeholder Engagement

We have developed a presentation which aims to inform organisations and business across the LEP area about the LIS. This covers, an introduction to what the LIS is and the work we are doing on it, led by the LEP but working with businesses, colleges, universities and local councils.
It enables discussion on the major economic and business opportunities that are ahead and is one way we are gathering views on the actions that are needed to make sure that our business and communities can benefit.

LIS Engagement slidepack

A copy is provided here to provide further detail, if you are a partner who would like to use this resource to communicate the LIS in your local area please contact us for speaker guidelines and feedback templates at hello@southeastlep.com

Approach and Timeline to the Development of the LIS

Please note that more information and detail will be provided as we progress this work.

More details will follow on engagement opportunities for the LIS development. Keep up to date with our LIS progress by signing up to our newsletter.