Monday 13 February 2012

The Swindon & Wiltshire Board met for the first time on Friday to discuss how they will help support the drive for economic growth in Swindon & Wiltshire. Building on the foundations left by the Business Working Group, the Board are seeking to refine and sign off a Business Plan in the Spring that will focus on the coming year, but reach out until March 2015.

Key priorities and objectives are already emerging and fall under four themes:-

• Inward Investment;
• Stimulating Growth within the existing business base;
• Job Creation, Education & Skills;
• Economic Infrastructure.

Two sub-groups have been formed to take forward specific workstreams:-

• Communications & Marketing – how best the Partnership can build its credibility, profile and position in the economic landscape;
• Delivery of the Growing Places Fund – how the Partnership will prioritise investment of the £6.346m revolving capital loan fund that central government has allocated to the LEP.

An early priority for the LEP Board will be how it can support the successful re-development of Lyneham airfield and maximise the benefits for the local economy during all the stages of the re-development over the next 3-4 years.

Paul Johnson, Chair of the LEP Board commented:-

“I’m delighted that we are now up and running. It was clear from the energy around the table that the Board are committed to forging a partnership that will deliver for Swindon & Wiltshire over coming months and years.

We have the strong foundation set by the Business Working Group from which we can kick on as a Board – their efforts have given us a great start.”

For more information on this release or the LEP generally please contact the Secretariat or visit our web-site : www.swlep.biz

Secretariat: Steve Richards

E.mail:         c2r@sdrichards.demon.co.uk

Telephone: 07748 658230