Decision details

The UK government set out a requirement for Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP’s) to create Local Industrial Strategies (LIS) in the Industrial Strategy White Paper which was published in November 2017.

The Thames Valley Berkshire LEP has a responsibility to shape a Local Industrial Strategy for Berkshire, the BLIS. The LEP has worked with numerous partners on this since early 2018 and has now published a BLIS Framework Document.

The Document sets out five priorities and poses a number of questions to ensure that it meets the needs of local stakeholders. Its publication marks a key milestone in the process of developing the BLIS, ahead of ‘co-design’ with government, as all Local Industrial Strategies must eventually be co-owned to ensure they contribute to the national Industrial Strategy published in late 2017. This tasked all 38 LEPs in the country with leading the development of a Local Industrial Strategy for their respective areas, to raise productivity and ensure that local economic assets contribute even more to the national economy.

Bracknell Forest Council is a key stakeholder for the LEP and has helped shape the Framework document. As a key stakeholder we will now be responding to the consultation, collecting the views of key stakeholders within the organisation.

The Executive Member will determine the Council’s response to the consultation.

The Executive Member for Economic Development & Regeneration agrees:

i.      the Council’s response to the consultation on the Berkshire Local Industrial Strategy  (BLIS)

ii.     the Council’s endorsement of the Framework Document

iii.    to submit the consultation response to the Thames Valley Berkshire LEP (TVBLEP) by 21st June 2019

The reason for this recommendation is that the Council, as a consultee, can make a response to the BLIS which will significantly shape the economic vision, strategy and priorities for the Berkshire area and Bracknell Forest. The TVBLEP specifically asks Local Authorities to respond to this consultation as key partners and local contributors to economic growth. Our input and endorsement will help them move forward and work with central government on finalising the BLIS.

The alternative option is for the Council not to respond to the consultation.  This is not recommended, as it is the final opportunity for the Council to comment on the BLIS Framework.

None

The Thames Valley Berkshire LEP is asking for key stakeholders to respond to their consultation on the Framework document for the Berkshire Local Industrial Strategy by 21 June 2019.

A Bracknell Forest Council response is being collated to respond as one of the Local Authorities in the Berkshire LEP area.

Key stakeholders (local authorities, businesses and business organisations) in Berkshire.