The Local Growth White Paper signals a shift in power away from central government to local areas taking the lead through Local Enterprise Partnerships, decentralising decisions on investment and expanding the financial options open to councils. The core elements of sustainable economic growth remain the same – incisive strategies, shared priorities, strong financial propositions, dynamic partnerships and learning from what works. Councils are better placed to understand their economies and lead their development, enabling all places to fulfil their potential. There is a renewed emphasis on democratic accountability and transparency, ensuring that public expenditure is more responsive to the needs of local business and people. And we should not forget that opportunities are presenting themselves, such as the low carbon transition, incentives which ensure that local communities benefit from development and community enterprise-based models of service delivery. As new mechanisms such as the Regional Growth Fund, social investment models and city region partnerships are developed, so too is the need for sound evidence, analytical value, partnership development and business engagement.

Our service is dedicated to supporting this work

In addition to extensive work for the European Commission and UK Government departments on the policy and strategy of economic development and its interventions, we have worked throughout the UK with local authorities and their partners to assist with the preparation of evidence, development of strategy and support in preparation of compelling and deliverable investment strategies and proposals. The key to our effectiveness is our ability to work with local authorities and their partners as independent experts translating our wider international, European and national knowledge to both challenge and support partners in the development of innovative and persuasive locally-led initiatives. We are able to offer expert advice and analysis of the regional and local economies and the economic development issues facing them, being able to provide a sound basis for policy and investment decisions, defining and monitoring progress against objectives and ensuring that councils and partners are able to speak authoritatively on economic issues.