News Information - Noticeboard Item
LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIPS - WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YEOVIL BUSINESSES?
03 September 2010
LEPs - WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YEOVIL BUSINESS?
Meetings were arranged by the Yeovil Chamber of Trade & Commerce and held on Thursday 26 August and Tuesday 31 August 2010. The purpose of these was to ascertain the views of the local business people and local councillors on the way forward with LEPs for the Yeovil Area and the options available. The discussions were very broad, and the following topics were raised:
What does the Government want for LEPs?
Functional economic geographic zones
To be business led rather than bureaucrat led
50% of LEP board must come from businesses
Look at what small businesses will be able to do for the economy
Maybe LEPs will overlap - already 85 proposals, wanted ?40?
LEPs need a critical mass of 1million
What are the geographical options for our LEP?
- Yeovil/South Somerset standing alone (too small)
- Somerset as a County
- Somerset and Devon join together
- Towns on A303/ A30 Corridor
Yeovil / South Somerset Standing Alone
A smaller area has less resource
Would South Somerset be likely to attract funding - would small partnerships get enough money?
Many people work locally, but live outside the area.
The economic effect of the decline in the public sector (proposed redundancies).
Currently a flat private sector (because of the recession).
AgustaWestland doesn't rely on Yeovil, Yeovil relies on AgustaWestland.
If focused on Yeovil, would cut off life from the small businesses outside Yeovil.
Who would South Somerset be allied with?
Somerset as a County
Would the majority of funding go to Taunton and Bridgwater, the smaller towns be left out.
Look at where the businesses are - not everything centred in the middle of the county.
Would bring energy generation & low carbon economy (Hinkley).
Could be at the heart of energy generation for the future.
Does not think it could go in on its own - so with who else?
Somerset and Devon
Politically tied up with East Devon
Would we get any funding locally? Would it go to Exeter?
Would be limited by county boundaries again.
Towns around A303 Corridor - Not restricted by County Boundaries.
Good communication routes - A303/A30 from Mere to Honiton - join together.
Railway link (Waterloo-Exeter line).
Market towns include Bruton, Castle Cary, Frome, Sparkford, Templecombe, Wincanton,
All have many small businesses (eg Sparkford 22).
Have Rail links except Wincanton.
Look East and South of Yeovil for critical mass.
What does ‘Enterprise' involve?
Green sustainability /renewable energy.
Business enterprise and Innovation.
Business tie-up with education.
Education & training.
Infrastructure.
Is not restricted by county boundaries.
How would these objectives be met locally?
Green sustainability & Renewal Energy.
Yeovil is hub for South-West in carbon reduction.
EDF Hinkley and wind turbines.
Chard manufactures solar panels and roofing.
Business Enterprise & Innovation
Opportunity for Somerset to be a centre for green energy.
Has aerospace, manufacture & technology.
Tourism could be expanded.
Need core expertise to devise and develop innovative ideas.
Need for more communication between businesses and Councils (eg planning of hotels, shops, housing projects).
Business tie-up with Education
If people are not educated, won't provide diversity and innovation for enterprise.
Education should meet the needs of businesses.
What business skills are being produced?
Restrictions including health & safety deter businesses from offering work experience.
Bureaucracy hampers innovative approach to 16-18 year-olds.
Education and Training
Role of education vital for the future of the area.
Yeovil can offer all links - Senior Schools - College - University.
Yeovil College UCY linked to Bournemouth and Exeter Universities.
Need more Apprenticeships - leads to skilled workforce.
Infrastructure
Need more connectivity between market towns.
Roads - A303 (needs improvement), A30, A3088.
Rail - Waterloo-Exeter, Westbury-Yeovil (need more coaches).
Housing - need right type to attract right people, right location, need businesses to employ occupants.
Not Restricted by County Boundaries
The general feeling was that the LEP area should not be limited by county boundaries.
Should include area along the A303 /A30 from (say) Mere to Honiton and towns North & South of this.
What will happen next?
Somerset Chamber will work with the County Council and SSDC and will lodge an expression of interest by 6 September. Yeovil Chamber will be a key player in the LEP consultations, and will keep our members updated on the progress of this important key change in local/regional governance. If you have any questions, please cantact the chamber secretary secretary@yeovilchamber.org
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