Chief executive at South Tyneside MBC and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives' policy spokesman for economic prosperity and housing Back in 2011, when the first LEPs were established, the public and private sectors continued with the well-established dynamic of combining energy and resources to drive local growth. Given the commitment of all main parties to further devolution of power to local areas it is likely that LEPs will remain a key part of that local economic growth landscape. Industry and private enterprise needs to be fully embraced and at the heart of government's economic thinking. The new combined authority and LEP partnerships are well placed to advise and drive such policy thinking. However, with further devolution of power to combined authorities, the role of LEPs in those areas should evolve to ensure that the decentralisation of funding for infrastructure, transport, housing and skills delivers true transformational change for local economies.
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