The document discusses the development of a common approach to local economic assessments (LEAs) in the UK. It provides an update on a questionnaire sent to local authorities to understand current capacity and practices regarding LEAs. The responses highlighted concerns about resources, skills, data availability, and timelines for completing the assessments. Actions proposed include developing a shared website for best practices, coordination across regions, and initial planning steps taken by various local authorities and groups.

1. Developing a Common Approach to Local Economic Assessments - Update Lorna Gibbons, South West Observatory

6. Website example

7. Website example

9. What have you been doing? Work plan for the LEA is developing. Existing Economic evidence review is being shared and tweaked to make suitable for LEA requirements. Working with Economic Development service to establish a plan for business and stakeholder engagement. Cornwall Council Katherine Byfield Initial meetings and planning has commenced. Bristol City Council Chris Hackett A meeting is arranged on the 9 th October between David Walsh, Dorset County Council, and Gwen Brennan Barrass from the Borough of Poole, Steve Garrett Principal Planning officer and I to discuss the LEA and a way forward. Bournemouth Borough Council Chris Kelu There is a meeting arranged on 9 th October between Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole to discuss how best to undertake the LEA. Borough of Poole Gwen Brennan-Barrass A pilot LEA will be commissioned towards the end of 2009. BANES John Cox LEA position Local Authority Lead Contact

10. We now have a Research Officer in place to help with the LEA. The first meeting with partners regarding the methodology and outcomes is scheduled for early October. Gloucestershire County Council Karen McDonald We have arranged an initial meeting for the MAA lead Councils to discuss how we undertake the LEA across Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole. Dorset County Council David Walsh We are currently on schedule with preparations for our Local Economic Assessment in line with the statutory timetable. We have begun scoping several potential studies to feed into our LEA and are studying the recently published DCLG guidance with which we are aligning our aspirations. We aim to consult with our District Council colleagues over the Autumn to ascertain their views on issues and datasets and highlight any crosscutting themes and local circumstances that need to be addressed in our evidence and analysis. Devon County Council Sofie Ruggieri Capacity issues being resolved. Council of the Isles of Scilly Craig Dryden

11. The position in Somerset is that we will be commissioning work through the second half of this financial year to refresh and expand our evidence base prior to the development of an initial assessment in 2010. Somerset County Council Paul Hickson Initial meetings held and planning commenced. Still in very early stage. Plymouth City Council Jeffery Kenyon NSC arranged an initial scoping meeting with sub-regional partners. Draft guidance reviewed. Will shortly be identifying who can provide information/statistics/evidence in line with emerging guidance & will begin to meet various teams/organisations to raise awareness of the new duty & scope out what information is available and gaps. North Somerset Council Simon Gregory

12. Our (pilot) LEA was positively received by our Economic Partnership board and created a desire to engage further around what we can do with this document. We hope to get a group of stakeholders together to ask the 'So what?' question. We hope to start consultation for the 2010 LEA in November. Swindon Borough Council Tiso Fiaola Key officers met from across the West of England to discuss options prior to publication of guidance. No decisions reached at that stage on the best way forward for the LAs in our sub-region. Draft economic assessment for sub-region prepared some time ago. The subject will be on the agenda for West of England Heads of ED meeting next month (October). In South Glos – not yet agreed requirement and/or process needed at LA level to fit in with sub regional plans. No plans or resource in place yet to develop an individual LA LEA. South Gloucestershire Council Antony Merritt

13. Recruitment exercise for Senior Economist underway. Internal recruitment completed with post now being advertised externally, closing date 23 rd September 09. Wiltshire County Council Debby Skellern A draft Sub-Regional Economic Assessment was prepared in autumn 2009 in support of the West of England MAA. The role of a sub-regional economic assessment in the context of economic assessment work to be undertaken by the unitary authorities of the sub-region will be clarified through discussion with UA colleagues later in 2009. West of England Partnership Tim Lansley Early research commissioned, outline programme developed to be presented to Council management team and Cabinet in early October. Capacity needs identified. Torbay Development Agency Alan Denby