Local Enterprise Partnership
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are joint local authority business bodies brought forward by authorities themselves to promote economic development.
On 20 May 2010 the Coalition Government published its 'Programme for Government' which included the creation of LEPs.
A prospectus for the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership was submitted to Government on 28 June 2011. Access the
Dorset LEP June 2011 (pdf, 2Mb) (opens in a new window) 
document for further information. The Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership bid was approved by the government on 7 July 2011. Local partners have been asked to form the board and set up the new partnership arrangements.
The objectives of the Dorset LEP are:
- To improve the performance of existing businesses within Dorset, and to encourage the growth of new ones, for example, through inward investment
- To enhance the skills of our current and future workforce
- To improve electronic and physical connectivity, particularly through high speed broadband coverage
- To create the conditions for enterprise, with an initial focus on establishing an agreed framework for spatial planning
The board
The make-up of the board for the
Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (opens in a new window) is now known, following an exhaustive recruitment process. Business men and women from across Dorset were invited to apply to join the board, which will provide leadership on the development of the local economy.
Chairman of the recruitment panel, Ken Moon, said 'the panel was faced with the challenging task of considering more than thirty applications for nine places on the board. The standard of applicants was very high, and we interviewed almost half of all the applicants before coming to a decision'.
The successful applicants who become board members are:-
- Gordon Page, Hamworthy plc
- Christina Baker, Dorset Community Foundation
- Bruce Grant-Braham, Bournemouth University
- Terence O'Rourke, creative industries
- David Ramsden, Political and Parliamentary Advisor
- Peter Scott, Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Philip Warr, PH Warr plc
- James Weld, Lulworth Estate
- Anthony Woodhouse, Hall & Woodhouse
- Tony Brown, Beales plc
- Jim Stewart, Poole Harbour Commissioners
The board will also include:-
- Lawrence Vincent, Bournemouth & Poole College
- Matthew Bennett, Bournemouth University
- John Beesley, Bournemouth Borough Council
- Angus Campbell, Dorset County Council
- Elaine Atkinson, Borough of Poole Council
- Ray Nottage, Christchurch Borough Council
This board looks very strong, represents the key sectors from the local economy, and will provide strong leadership to the Dorset economy.
LEPs are a government initiative, to bring the private, public and voluntary sectors together, to provide strategic leadership to the development of the local economy, identify priorities for investment, and create new jobs.
