Over the years I have had the privilege, honour and sometimes curse (!) of sitting on a number of public/private Boards and committees. My thoughts go out to all those who have recently chosen to sit on the Boards of the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). From my experience I would like to offer a few words of encouragement and warning designed to help each LEP achieve its aims and objectives.
These thoughts are in no order of importance and purely reflect my own experiences:
- Set out your aims and objectives straight away
- Be clear as to what you can and cannot achieve - do not try to be "all things to all men"
- Do a few things well rather than many things badly
- You are not a council committee so do not behave like one!
- In setting up your constitution remain faithful to the simple premise of "one person one vote" and ensure that there is a private sector majority of members
- In no circumstances agree to a constitution which gives public sector "founder members" the right to overturn a majority vote
- Run the meetings just like a private sector Board - tight, focussed and make decisions rather than procrastinate
- The public sector has an important role to play so make use of the knowledge held and do not set out to duplicate functions
- If other quasi organisations are "backed into" a LEP as an executive or similar do not just accept that it is fit for purpose. Start a full review and if necessary reappoint or renew.
- Have a simple informative website but do not spend silly money on it
- Insist on a 75% rolling attendance rate from all members or they are voted off
- Public sector members are generaly appointees and as such there may be a rapid churn due to elections, reshuffles etc. Where possible gain commitment for continuity or decisions will stall
- Ensure that everyone around the table has authority to vote on all matters i.e. no deferring to gain cabinet/member etc approval
- If the public sector funds the executive it is reasonable for them to request some ground rules. Agree them at the outset to avoid misunderstanding later.
- You are local ENTERPRISE partnerships - so address Enterprise and do not get sidetracked on peripheral matters
- Do not get sucked in to publicity campaigns unless they are integral to the core aims or you get tainted and alienate a wide cross section of the community
- Be sensitive to political situations but make the right decision not the politically expedient one
- Be open and transparent to avoid conspiracy theories - publish all Board minutes on the website etc
- Be bold - no-one remembers people who do not make a difference
- Think about who needs your help most - large corporates or pre start businesses - do not get sucked into the "glamour" of association with big names
- Think carefully about what you want the executive to do - keep it small and tight
- Do not directly deliver ANYTHING - enable others to do this
And finally before you make any decisions just ask yourself what your answer will be when your 8 year old grandson asks exeactly what did you achieve on the LEP?!
I wish everyone the best of luck and great success in achieving all that you set out to do - your country needs you!
Showing posts with label LEP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LEP. Show all posts
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
How to make a LEP work.
As we progress into 2011 more detail is leaking out as to how LEP's will be structured. There is an amazing amount of goodwill from the business community towards LEPs and it is vital that those who are responsible for the governance take advantage before the enthusiasm wanes.
I have attended a variety of events around LEPs over the last 3 months and I believe that it is critical that each LEP outlines its objectives very early on. Having sat on a variety of Boards and Quangos over the years the common problem which they all face is not living up to expectations. This results from a wide ranging set of objectives which are designed to pacify vocal opinion at the beginning but become a heavy weight around the neck as the reality of delivery differs from the grand ambitions.
A good example of this happened this week at a meeting in Norwich regarding the "New Anglia" LEP. The presentations were tight with the shadow board indicating a concentration on the tourism and energy industries. Now it is arguable if these are the correct priorities but I commend the principle of concentrating on areas where an effect can be seen and measured. The question and answer session however turned into a "What about..." inquisition. The competing demands of the cultural, creative etc industries were all raised and whilst they are important the LEP with limited resources cannot make a difference across the board.
To me it is vital that the LEP concentrates its activities in a few key areas where they can really make an immediate difference. If not they will fail and the business goodwill will evaporate very quickly. It will be interesting to see which argument wins out...a focused narrow approach or a wide "everything to all men" one.
As an aside it is clear that financial resources will be sparse so how about this for one way to make a real difference? All economic officers, departments and budgets in every local authority in the LEP area should be given to the LEP to administer. In Norfolk and Suffolk I would estimate that this would equate to 100 staff and over £5m. It would then be for the LEP to decide on how many staff are required and what they do with the budget. Radical but I would bet that it would make a real difference. Business could then be tasked to match this sum. Perhaps via 1% extra on rates or by a "tithe" on representative movements which want a place on the Board such as Chambers, FSB,IOD etc. Say 10% of membership fees? Match this with UK government or ERDF funds and the budget is transformational.
I would not bet on the above happening but if a LEP just replaces an RDA or LSP it will become a toothless talking shop. If it does business differently such as above it could really become a powerhouse for economic good.
I have attended a variety of events around LEPs over the last 3 months and I believe that it is critical that each LEP outlines its objectives very early on. Having sat on a variety of Boards and Quangos over the years the common problem which they all face is not living up to expectations. This results from a wide ranging set of objectives which are designed to pacify vocal opinion at the beginning but become a heavy weight around the neck as the reality of delivery differs from the grand ambitions.
A good example of this happened this week at a meeting in Norwich regarding the "New Anglia" LEP. The presentations were tight with the shadow board indicating a concentration on the tourism and energy industries. Now it is arguable if these are the correct priorities but I commend the principle of concentrating on areas where an effect can be seen and measured. The question and answer session however turned into a "What about..." inquisition. The competing demands of the cultural, creative etc industries were all raised and whilst they are important the LEP with limited resources cannot make a difference across the board.
To me it is vital that the LEP concentrates its activities in a few key areas where they can really make an immediate difference. If not they will fail and the business goodwill will evaporate very quickly. It will be interesting to see which argument wins out...a focused narrow approach or a wide "everything to all men" one.
As an aside it is clear that financial resources will be sparse so how about this for one way to make a real difference? All economic officers, departments and budgets in every local authority in the LEP area should be given to the LEP to administer. In Norfolk and Suffolk I would estimate that this would equate to 100 staff and over £5m. It would then be for the LEP to decide on how many staff are required and what they do with the budget. Radical but I would bet that it would make a real difference. Business could then be tasked to match this sum. Perhaps via 1% extra on rates or by a "tithe" on representative movements which want a place on the Board such as Chambers, FSB,IOD etc. Say 10% of membership fees? Match this with UK government or ERDF funds and the budget is transformational.
I would not bet on the above happening but if a LEP just replaces an RDA or LSP it will become a toothless talking shop. If it does business differently such as above it could really become a powerhouse for economic good.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Local Enterprise Partnerships - friend or foe?
From an external perspective it would seem that the local authority network is focused solely on the forthcoming local enterprise partnership discussions (LEPs) and how it may impact on their control of services.
Since the notice from the government that Regional Development Agencies - and also regional government offices - are to be abolished there has been little talk of anything other than LEPs. Reaction varies from authorities caught like rabbits in headlights awaiting "further guidance" to those who see it as a way to wrest power and control. The government has been specific in that they are seeking views from local areas and will not be issuing more guidance and yet some authorities cling on to the hope of details emerging telling them what they have to do just like a toddler with a comfort blanket. It is very disappointing that officers have become so used to "obeying orders" that many seem to have lost the ability to think for themselves.
At the other end of the spectrum the opportunistic see this as a chance to grab the initiative (and power) and are seeking to overturn the "old order". I have had so many conversations with officers and members that I am dizzy with the myriad of solutions being touted around.
I am realistic enough to understand that the decisions on what the boundaries may be will be decided by politicians. Businesses have neither the time nor inclination to spend hour after hour arguing over lines on a map.
So what seems to be emerging? At this stage it is clear that upper level authorities see boundaries concurrent with theirs and that it is a chance to wrest more control for themselves. On the whole districts are disgruntled and are seeking different pairings which appear to have greater resonance with the governments vision of local economic areas with a degree of common issues. Worryingly there is little in the way of original thinking and exciting and different ideas being discussed.
In the East of England we suffer from a lack of a regional identity with places like Herrtfordshire having little in common with Norfolk for example. This should be the catalyst for original thinking and LEPs emerging which do not follow simple county lines. For example Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft are reliant on each other (even if both authorities refuse to acknowledge that) and have more in common than they do with say Ipswich and Kings Lynn and yet county lines preclude real engagement. Similarly the coastal strip from Kings Lynn to Harwich shares ports to tourism, energy to erosion and would make a very interesting LEP which could be unique - thus increasing the chance of accessing funding. In the other direction a LEP based on Peterborough and including the fens, south lincs, west norfolk and rural cambridgeshire has much to commend it.
So where does business fit in? Somewhere down the line in all honesty. There has been minimal discussion with real businesses with local authorities believing that if they consult with Chambers of Commerce, the IOD and FSB that they have ticked that box. We support - and are members of - each of these organisations but they are not business. We need CEOs and Chairmen of businesses to sit on LEPs if they are to be anything other than talking shops. I even got hold of one internal council document which suggested that despite government instruction that a LEP must have local authority majority or they would be "undemocratic" and power may be ceded to "unaccountable" individuals! I know who I would rather have running my budgets!
This is a great opportunity to shape local plans over the next few years and yet I wonder if I am being too cynical in believing that little will change. I want a strong local economy based on enterprise and cutting through the ridiculous bureaucracy which stops most business people from becoming councillors. I hope that LEPs become local powerhouses for change but based on what I have seen and heard so far my hopes are not that high.
Since the notice from the government that Regional Development Agencies - and also regional government offices - are to be abolished there has been little talk of anything other than LEPs. Reaction varies from authorities caught like rabbits in headlights awaiting "further guidance" to those who see it as a way to wrest power and control. The government has been specific in that they are seeking views from local areas and will not be issuing more guidance and yet some authorities cling on to the hope of details emerging telling them what they have to do just like a toddler with a comfort blanket. It is very disappointing that officers have become so used to "obeying orders" that many seem to have lost the ability to think for themselves.
At the other end of the spectrum the opportunistic see this as a chance to grab the initiative (and power) and are seeking to overturn the "old order". I have had so many conversations with officers and members that I am dizzy with the myriad of solutions being touted around.
I am realistic enough to understand that the decisions on what the boundaries may be will be decided by politicians. Businesses have neither the time nor inclination to spend hour after hour arguing over lines on a map.
So what seems to be emerging? At this stage it is clear that upper level authorities see boundaries concurrent with theirs and that it is a chance to wrest more control for themselves. On the whole districts are disgruntled and are seeking different pairings which appear to have greater resonance with the governments vision of local economic areas with a degree of common issues. Worryingly there is little in the way of original thinking and exciting and different ideas being discussed.
In the East of England we suffer from a lack of a regional identity with places like Herrtfordshire having little in common with Norfolk for example. This should be the catalyst for original thinking and LEPs emerging which do not follow simple county lines. For example Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft are reliant on each other (even if both authorities refuse to acknowledge that) and have more in common than they do with say Ipswich and Kings Lynn and yet county lines preclude real engagement. Similarly the coastal strip from Kings Lynn to Harwich shares ports to tourism, energy to erosion and would make a very interesting LEP which could be unique - thus increasing the chance of accessing funding. In the other direction a LEP based on Peterborough and including the fens, south lincs, west norfolk and rural cambridgeshire has much to commend it.
So where does business fit in? Somewhere down the line in all honesty. There has been minimal discussion with real businesses with local authorities believing that if they consult with Chambers of Commerce, the IOD and FSB that they have ticked that box. We support - and are members of - each of these organisations but they are not business. We need CEOs and Chairmen of businesses to sit on LEPs if they are to be anything other than talking shops. I even got hold of one internal council document which suggested that despite government instruction that a LEP must have local authority majority or they would be "undemocratic" and power may be ceded to "unaccountable" individuals! I know who I would rather have running my budgets!
This is a great opportunity to shape local plans over the next few years and yet I wonder if I am being too cynical in believing that little will change. I want a strong local economy based on enterprise and cutting through the ridiculous bureaucracy which stops most business people from becoming councillors. I hope that LEPs become local powerhouses for change but based on what I have seen and heard so far my hopes are not that high.
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