The role of Local Economic Assessments in the new political and economic climate and their relationship with Local Enterprise Partnerships

Abstract

As part of a move to strengthen the economic development and regeneration role of local authorities, Local Economic Assessments (LEAs) were formally introduced in England in April 2010. In the time since a statutory duty to produce economic ‘evidence bases’ came into force, there has been radical urban policy unrest. A shift in national government set about a rescaling of sub-national development activity. Consequently, there is substantial merit in exploring the role of LEAs in this new political and economic climate, including their relationship with cross-boundary Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). The fourth paper in a series, the dual objective is to conceptualise the LEA process and identify policy development opportunities. The empirical findings support the theorisation that LEAs (analytical processes) and LEPs (governance networks) offer significant scope for a fruitful dialogic interaction. The paper argues, however, that a (more or less formal) strategy-making process to help transmit shared priorities would significantly bolster the LEA–LEP relationship.