LEPs accused of neglecting rural communities

Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) have been accused of failing rural areas by a leading pressure group.

A survey published today by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) shows that LEPs are perceived, by almost two-thirds (60%) of respondents, as having a negative impact on issues affecting the countryside.

CPRE asked its local groups about LEP activity regarding issues affecting rural communities and the countryside.

The results demonstrate that many LEPs are failing rural communities by ignoring their economic potential, as well as social and environmental needs.

Despite having a key responsibility in administering the Rural Development Programme for England, only 21% of LEPs featured in the survey were perceived as aiding the development of affordable rural housing and just 14% work to address or improve rural transport.

This lack of housing and infrastructure for those who work for and support rural businesses could hinder the growth of those economies, according to the CPRE.

The absence of investment in rural economies, which provide 13% of England’s employment, exacerbates issues facing much of the country, such as the need for more regeneration, housing, sustainable transport, broadband connectivity and support for new entrants into farming. It contributes to a growing inequality, which leaves many rural areas behind economically and socially.

The report also suggests that there is a lack of public awareness of LEPs and often a lack of willingness amongst LEPs themselves to engage with the general public.

Only 21% of LEP websites that were surveyed appear to clearly provide evidence of their economic activity and less than one quarter of LEPs hold public meetings. Although there have been some signs of improvement following the publication in late 2017 of more stringent Government guidance on governance and transparency.

‘Local enterprise partnerships are supposed to be more sensitive to the needs of rural communities, businesses and economies than the regional development agencies they replaced,’ said the CPRE’s head of strategic plans and devolution, Paul Miner.

‘But our local groups are telling us that too often LEPs are remote, back developments that will happen anyway, and are not doing enough to support rural regeneration. Rural businesses, including small farms, account for almost a quarter of all registered businesses in England – their importance to our economy cannot be ignored any more.

‘The imbalance of investment between rural and urban areas is a real threat to growth in these communities, and will lead to our precious countryside becoming increasingly neglected in the future. An increase in transparency and the production of a rural plan at the very least, is urgently needed to help prevent rural communities from being left behind.’