This is the first report of its kind and it stresses small businesses can’t be ignored as the economic recovery continues. The FSB believes that LEPs are the right vehicle to deliver local economic growth across England but stresses that the voice of small businesses needs to be better represented within LEPs. Small and medium sized businesses have been responsible for four in five jobs created in the private sector between 2010 and 2013, and represent half of private sector turnover, however the report finds that large businesses are perceived to have most influence within LEPs. Two in five local authorities and two thirds of FSB representatives surveyed feeling that large businesses exert the greatest influence over LEPs.
The research finds that many LEPs would be better placed to maximise local growth opportunities if they consulted more effectively with the small business community. A case in point is around procurement support. Three quarters of small businesses want LEPs to offer procurement advice as part of their business support package, but only a quarter of LEPs are planning to offer this kind of service. While it is important for LEPs to reform their strategic role, the FSB wants to see them become more effective at providing the advice and services small businesses need.
In order for LEPs to be held accountable to businesses and their local communities, the FSB is calling for a national framework for assessing their performance. Currently this is not in place. This is important because LEPs will be responsible for £17 billion in public funds between now and 2021. There is clearly work needed to improve transparency and accountability as only 31 per cent of LEPs publish annual accounts and 44 per cent produce annual reports. The FSB believes that as LEPs are receiving increasingly large amounts of money to distribute at the local level, it should be made very clear how decisions are made on how to spend their funding.
John Allan, National Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said: “LEPs are crucial to delivering local economic growth across England. While some have done a good job of reaching out to the small business community, others need to up their game. Small firms will ultimately be the ones creating most of the jobs and prosperity in the private sector, so it is absolutely essential that they are at the heart of all LEPs thinking and plans.
“LEPs will be handling £17 billion of public money between now and 2021. It is important and only right to understand how it is being spent. Because the sums of money involved will increase substantially, it is vital that LEPs are more accountable and transparent so local authorities, businesses and the public can be confident they will deliver for the local economy and are using taxpayer funds effectively.”
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