The Strategy

The LSEP's agreement with the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) required the submission of an Action Plan for 2004/05 and beyond. The Action Plan identifies the key activities for the LSEP over the next three years. These activities are considered to be essential to the delivery of the LSEP's ten-year Economic Regeneration Strategy. They also relate closely to the 12 strands of emda's Regional Economic Strategy.

Action Plan 2004-2007

In developing the Action Plan, the LSEP recognised the need to focus its efforts on some key areas where it could make a significant impact, rather than spread its resources too thinly. These priorities were clearly set out in the Funding Opportunities 2004/2007 brochure, published in July 2003. Almost 300 Expressions of Interest were received in response to this brochure. From these ideas, up to 100 projects could be supported during the LSEP's second year of operations in 2004-2005.

These projects cover six 'themes:

• People and Skills
• Enterprise and Innovation
• Sustainable Communities
• Land and Buildings
• Information Communication Technology
• Research

These are supported by six theme groups, which have played a significant role in the development of the Action Plan.

These groups bring together specialists from key organisations that are also investing in the sub-region of Leicester and Leicestershire. The theme groups provide ongoing advice to the LSEP about where it is best to invest and how project ideas fit with other activities in the sub-region. They bring coherence to local planning, ensure the LSEP involvement adds value and help to remove the potential for duplication.

The LSEP has worked closely with emda to develop a balance within the programme, reflecting emda's requirements and our local needs.

The LSEP is committed to working with existing partnership structures and helping to bring greater coherence to partnership working wherever possible. Partnership working is essential to the delivery of this Action Plan.

Economic Regeneration Strategy

This document provides an outline of the LSEP's overall strategy including its vision, planned changes, summary of the 'themes', and the challenges facing the economy in Leicester Shire.