Engaging the business community – Traditional methods of consultation don’t work well with the commercial sector

Growth is in; the Government needs it badly, and the country as a whole is passionate to avoid another recession. It is the backdrop for the fascinating debate on the new Planning Guidance and its presumption in favour of sustainable development.

In the meantime, 37 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in England are gearing up, and using a modest but useful Capacity Fund – offered to “address gaps in intelligence available on business needs”, and to “facilitate business engagement and interaction with the LEP”. So there is hope that they will start delivering on their potential as significant players in economic development.