Claire Perry welcomes the Wiltshire LEP initiative

Claire Perry, MP for the Devizes constituency has enthusiastically given her support to the Wiltshire Local Economic Partnership; a venture led by the private sector in conjunction with the public sector aimed at stimulating business and economic growth in the county.

Supporting the proposals, Claire said:

"The Government has long argued that, in order to generate economic growth, the private sector must take the lead and work closer with the public sector and I am delighted to see the Wiltshire LEP take the lead. Their objectives are ambitious and aim to create new private sector jobs, I am especially glad to see a focus on the provision of superfast broadband, which is currently a major stumbling block to businesses in the county. I am also very encouraged by the plans for the "Military Civilian Integration" programme which recognises how important the Armed Forces and their families are to the regional economy.

"I fully endorse the Partnership and its aim to drive economic growth, improve productivity and encourage business and job creation. I believe enterprises such as the Wiltshire LEP can unlock the vast potential that exists in the south-west and I look forward to future developments of the project with great interest and anticipation."

Notes:

1. The Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership is a steering group, led by Wiltshire Strategic Economic Partnership (WESP), of private and public partners including Wiltshire Council and the South West of England Regional Development Agency

2. The Wiltshire LEP will be based on the County boundaries, covering a population of 0.5 million and 21,300 businesses.

3. The LEP has approved a draft proposal setting out proposed priorities, governance arrangements and an action plan for the next 100 days.

4. On the 31st March 2011 the Wiltshire Strategic Economic Partnership (WSEP) submitted their proposal to government Ministers at the Departments for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) and Communities and Local Government (CLG) for a LEP for Wiltshire.

5. Chairman of the WSEP, Steve Stone said: "This proposal comes from an extensive dialogue that we've had with both businesses and public sector organisations. There's a very strong consensus that 'Local' should mean 'Local' and if businesses are to relate to this initiative it needs to be relevant to their needs. Everyone wants to see a stronger Wiltshire economy, that builds on our strengths and creates growth, new market opportunities – and jobs"

6. The main objectives of the LEP are; to create 6000 New Private Sector jobs, safeguard a further 8000 jobs within their business base, 85% area coverage by superfast Broadband, using new powers to build a supportive economic environment and identification, allocation and preparation of Strategic employment land sites.

7. The LEP aims to use the Military Civilian Integration programme to optimise the economic opportunities that flow from the Army's presence – and expansion – on Salisbury Plain. This work is recognised as a national pathfinder. Through it the LEP will mitigate the impact of the closure of RAF Lyneham in December 2012.

8. For more information about the Wiltshire LEP, click here. To see the full draft proposal, click here.

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