Bid submitted for Fylde Coast Local Enterprise Partnership
Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Councils and their private sector partners have this week submitted a bid to the Secretary of State for Local Government for a Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) that covers the area within the Fylde Coast.
Local Enterprise Partnerships are to be set up to replace the Regional Development Agencies which are to be abolished. The new partnerships will tackle issues including planning, housing, transport and infrastructure and enable the Fylde Coast to access much needed funding opportunities for economic regeneration.
The bid is a joint proposal endorsed by business and civic leaders. It is underpinned by a clear vision and a shared understanding of what needs to be delivered in a defined economic footprint that incorporates Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.
In it, the bid details the case for the LEP to be based on the geographic area of the Fylde Coast as opposed to the suggestion of a larger, County-wide partnership.
The various partners in the Fylde Coast bid are concerned that a pan-Lancashire approach would be unable to respond to the bespoke needs and priorities of the local economy and therefore unable to unlock the opportunities that offer the greatest potential for growth.
It is hoped that Government ministers will recognise the strength of private sector relationships on the Fylde Coast, together with the economic needs of the area and the way it is uniquely interlinked through tourism, travel and private business. It identifies self-contained markets for housing, health, transport, education, skills, media and communities of interest to strengthen the case.
The LEP partners are confident that the Fylde Coast proposals will be able to make a substantial impact on the area and help economic growth by creating jobs and developing skills.
Click here to read the submission.
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