Agenda item

A report was presented on an update on the initiation of the process to develop a Local Industrial Strategy in Lancashire (LIS).

The Board was reminded that at previous meetings, it had considered the requirement placed on Local Enterprise Partnerships to develop a Local Industrial Strategy. It had been agreed that local businesses and their representative organisations should play a strong role in developing these key documents. The report provided an update on the initiation of the process and updated the Board on the progress with the trailblazer development in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.

The Board was advised that since their last meeting, the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) had formally commissioned Steer Economic Development to provide consultancy support to drive forward a programme of work that would frame and populate a Local Industrial Strategy in Lancashire. In addition, the LEP had received a small, locally matched grant to commission research support via Lancaster University.

Simon Pringle of Steer Economic Development, took the Board through the work plan which has three phases as follows:-

1)  Developing the Evidence Base: To gather and review an already extensive business base within, and across, the County, together with pipeline projects;

2)  Developing Strategic Priorities: Drawing in private, public, and voluntary sectors to identify priorities and options, and build consensus on way forwards; and

3)  Action Plan: developing investable propositions including pipeline projects to deliver the agreed strategic intent.

It was reported that the process would require effective stakeholder engagement underpinned by a ‘co-production’ approach. Subject to discussion, Steer proposed local Theme/Project leads be identified. They also proposed to work with these Leads to utilise local networks and partnerships, to develop propositions socialise findings and recommendations among key stakeholders. It was suggested that the work would be shaped by the series of questions set out in the report, based on the What Works Centre guidance on LIS development.

It was noted that the trailblazer LIS areas would be publishing their strategies shortly. This included Greater Manchester who had taken the opportunity to initiate 'The Greater Manchester Independent Prosperity Review' which had commissioned work in four areas:-

•  Analysis of productivity,

•  Analysis of education and skills transitions,

•  Exploration of the city region’s innovation ecosystems, national and

international supply chains and trade linkages; and sources of global

competitiveness,

·  Work to review the infrastructure needs of Greater Manchester for

raising productivity, including the potential for new approaches to

unlock additional investment

The Board agreed that whilst resource and government input would inevitably be more limited in Lancashire, the majority of research undertaken by Greater Manchester was transferrable and could be emulated in Lancashire. Specific reference was made to:

·  Health and Equalities,

·  Skills training

·  Transport and infrastructure

·  Housing

·  Identifying emerging global markets

It was also agreed that it was important to collaborate with other authorities, partners and businesses including those outside the county boundary.

The Board raised concerns with regard to the proposed timescales for the work programme and the processes in place. It was felt that the timescales should be extended and that consultation with the business community should take place at an earlier stage in the process. Simon agreed to convey these concerns to the Head of Service, LEP Co-ordination, the officer responsible for producing the work programme.

Following further discussion on the process and procedures, it was recommended that the author of the LIS document should be involved at a very early stage of the process; that it would be helpful for social enterprise partners and other businesses to submit a narrative statement rather than data; and that emphasis should be put on people (including employability and skills), followed by place.

Resolved: That:

i)  The report be noted.

ii)  The Head of Service, LEP Co-ordination be asked to extend the timescales for the programme of work and bring forward consultation with the business community.

iii)  The research undertaken by Greater Manchester be emulated in Lancashire with specific reference to the areas highlighted in the narrative above.