Presentation made at the Carter Jonas Seminar on "The Planning Regime and Oxfordshire\'s Future Economy", 6th May 2011 at the Saïd Business School in Oxford

1. LEPs – Coordinators for Local Growth Dr Martin Dare-EdwardsChairman of Oxon-LEP

2. Outline Oxfordshire LEP Introduction Oxfordshire LEP Priorities Indications for role of LEPs vis-à-vis Planning Specific Opportunities – LEPs and Planning Final Remarks LEPs – Coordinators for Local Growth

3. Oxfordshire LEP Seizing our opportunity for Local Leadership in the Pursuit of “Outstanding” Growth in Oxfordshire “Touchstone” for all our activities: Increasing the number of Sustainable,High-Value-Adding jobs in our area Coordination for Coherence and Synergism: Prioritising our efforts to where we can add value(Row / Steer / Cheer approach) Will not impose on existing successful partnerships, but will strongly promote “unifications” or explicit collaborations Act as forum for issues that need assistance to resolve Foreseen role to drive/facilitate planning decisions that are consistent with our Touchstone and our Priorities

4. Oxfordshire LEP - Priorities Priority Work Themes: Supporting Inward Investment Identifying and Promoting “Clusters of Excellence” Supporting Existing Businesses to Innovate and Grow Specialised Supply Chains in High Growth Sectors Securing Investment for Enabling infrastructure Projects Next Generation Broadband Access Transport-Connectivity for Growth Hot Spots & “East-West” Addressing Skills Mismatches Raising aspirations and tailoring provision to business need Spatial Priorities Science Vale UK - National & International excellence for Science & Innovation Bicester – Drive to establish coherent Housing and Employment-based Development, inclusive of the Eco-exemplar Oxford – Continue to support our inward investment as world-class centre of education, research and innovation

5. Indications for role of LEPsvis-à-vis Planning DCLG Comments: “Intention for Localism Bill to have regard to role of LEPs for planning…across local authority boundaries… …keen to work with front-runners… Harnessing the powerful voice of business in planning decisions, facilitated by infrastructure development…leading production of strategic plans.” "Consistent with localism, we will not be prescribing planning roles for LEPs - it is for them to decide what roles they want to take on and on what basis they do this reflecting their needs, skills and ambitions."

6. Specific OpportunitiesLEP’s and Planning Enterprise Zones (11 announced, EOI’s invited for 10 more) Business Rate Discount: £55k pa for 5 years Business Rates Growth retained for 25 years Radically Simplified Planning via LDO Powers Support for Superfast Broadband Others: Capital allowances, Tax Increment Finance, UKTI support for inward investment Oxfordshire Perspective: Will be tough to make the grade, but we are exploring… EOI submitted, but no specific single site yet indicated Possible multi-site EZ, summing within 0.5-1.5 ha range Simplified/Speeded-up Planning seen as most substantial benefit so EZ vs use of LDO Powers only, may be marginal

7. Specific OpportunitiesLEP’s and Planning Business Improvement Districts 5 yr plan of extra Revenue Raising for additional services Requires Ballot & Majority in favour (Oxford City’s bid did not gain a majority in 2008) Oxfordshire Perspective Oxford City considering to re-ballot No other cases yet considered Tax Increment Financing (2013/4 for implementation) Permission to borrow against future uplift in business rates, valuable to support infrastructure investment Oxfordshire Perspective No specifics yet but could have value to support Science Vale and Bicester South

8. Specific OpportunitiesLEP’s and Planning Local Development Orders Provide incentive for increased occupation of specific employment areas Investment in Business Parks could be supported by an LDO Could be basis of long-term partnership with district council with use of s106 agreements/Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) that link more significant developments to infrastructure improvements Oxfordshire Perspective Potentially many opportunities across Oxfordshire

9. LEPs – Coordinators for Local Growth Final Remarks The Oxfordshire Strategic Planning & Infrastructure Partnership Board (SPIP) created a Local Investment Plan (focused on up to 5 years) in March 2010, based on Local Authority & SEEDA input The Oxfordshire LEP will now make specific business input to the SPIP providing greater drive for growth in high value-employment & the local economy

10. Oxfordshire LEP Backup Slide

12. Aim for Local Enterprise to be “Outstanding”

13. Proven Business Processes

14. Sharp Prioritisation

15. Clear Decision Taking Process

16. Action & Delivery Orientation

17. Working/Delivery Teams

18. “Row”, “Steer” and “Cheer” approach to Projects

19. Friends/Supporting Groups

20. “Oxfordshire Business First”, FSB, IoD, CBI, OTCN

21. “Distillation” and “Cascade” processes