Joint working across Local Enterprise Partnerships will play a vital role in driving forward key major projects that will help boost the country’s economy.
That was the message from the chairman of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, John Spence, at a special meeting of the Haven Gateway Partnership
The Haven Gateway Partnership brings together businesses and local authority partners in North East Essex and South East Suffolk, including the UK’s most important ports clusters of the Harwich Haven and the University of Essex
Mr Spence said: “The South East LEP’s clear mission is to create the most enterprising economy in England.
“We are already the powerhouse of the national economy, and we recognise that supporting growth and enterprise is an absolute priority for helping steer the country through turbulent economic times.
“The strength of our partnership stems from its collegiate nature, and we hope that this will positively impact upon innovative and creative relationships with our neighbours. We have an important agenda around skills, strategic transport infrastructure and stimulating growth, but we cannot, and will not go it alone.
“We will work in partnership with our neighbouring LEPs to ensure the whole of the Greater South East and, by extension, UK plc, gets the best possible benefit from those interventions we choose to support.
“The Haven Gateway Partnership is a good example of an organisation which is working to mould these relationships to maximum effect.”
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The Haven Gateway Partnership covers business and local authorities of the following boroughs and districts, Babergh, Braintree, Colchester, Ipswich, Maldon, Mid-Suffolk, Suffolk Coastal and Tendring. The Board comprises representatives from these authorities and the University of Essex, as well as Associated British Ports, BT, the Chambers of Commerce in Essex and Suffolk, the Federation of Small Business, Harwich Haven Authority, Hutchison Ports UK and other businesses.
The South East Local Enterprise Partnership is a partnership involving leaders from business, local government, and further and higher education which is working towards creating the most enterprising economy in England. It covers East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend, and Thurrock
It is the largest strategic partnership of its kind outside of London. It represents a combined population of 3.9 million people and is home to more than 130,000 businesses, which provide more than 1.3 million jobs. It is a critical port and gateway area in a strategic location between London, Europe and the global economy.
The areas covered by the LEP are the country’s economic powerhouse contributing £55 billion a year to the national economy.
