We know that the Conservatives in the current government are going around dismantling various Quangos and the like.
They’ve cited efficiency and removing unneeded levels of bureaucracy.
Well, one that they’ve said will be axed is SEEDA – the South East England Development Agency.
What did SEEDA do?
It’s role was to take large chunks of cash from government and invest it in projects (such as Vestas, etc) that will help the local area grow economically.
Many have wondered what will replace that which is being cut.
We may just be starting to see an example locally.
Cllr George Brown, Cabinet member at the Isle of Wight council, has just made a delegated decision (eg. not voted on publicly) on something called an LEP.
What’s an LEP?
It appears that the new term, LEP, is a Local Enterprise Partnership.
On the surface (and we’re the first to admit that we haven’t fully read into this) it looks like a LEP performs pretty much the same role as a Development Agency, like SEEDA, did previously.
The decision that has been made by Cllr Brown on the Island’s behalf, is that a Solent LEP be pursued. That is, to create a LEP that covers Portsmouth, Southampton and the South Hampshire district.
Four other options were dismissed, including the Island having its own LEP.
Read more on the decision.
