At its Annual General Meeting recently the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) announced that for the financial year 2018/2019 its total investment reached close to £142 million for projects across the Solent region.
Looking forward, Chair Gary Jeffries, Cheif Executive Anne-Marie Mountifield and Deputy Chair Brian Johnson described a clear commitment to a new Solent 2050 Strategy that has been at the forefront of the LEP’s focus for 2019. Consulting widely on the strategy which is designed to strengthen the Solent’s position as a global centre of excellence, the core vision is about placing the Solent at the helm of coastal renaissance and pioneering approaches to mitigating climate change.
Building on previous years’ successes, the LEP shared its annual report with its members ahead of publication and provided updates on investments during 2019.
Milestones achieved in the Solent included building work commencing on the National Maritime Systems Centre which the LEP provided £5million, Fareham College’s new £4.1million Civil Engineering Training Centre opened and Southampton Solent University’s Warsash Maritime Academy opened thanks to a grant of £7.5million from the LEP.
A grant of £35.5million was provided towards the Stubbington bypass on the Fareham and Gosport Peninsular, £26million investment from Department for Transport was announced for the Isle of Wight’s Island Line, and the LEP granted £5.7million towards the A326 in the New Forest. Over 300 small and medium-sized businesses were funded by the LEP.
As well as these historical achievements, the LEP shared five emerging principles to come out of the Solent 2050 Strategy:
- To secure its position as the number one economy for maritime
- To become an engine for pioneering approaches to climate change adaptation
- To be the UK’s capital for coastal renaissance
- To have the UK’s most thriving coastal visitor economy
- To be a global leader in developing people for the economy of the future
After a 6-year term as Chair, Gary Jeffries stepped down, and Deputy Chair Brian Johnson will act as Interim Chair until a permanent Chair is elected in coming months.
Brian said:
“The Solent 2050 Strategy was the lead topic throughout the AGM and saw everyone commit to setting a future economic agenda which shapes the place we live in and make it better for future generations. We’re focusing on a strategy for the next 30 years which will centre on building skills, training and infrastructure ensuring the Solent is prosperous and competitive in the future”.
Open consultations for anyone with an interest in the Solent 2050 Strategy are to be held across the region from March onwards through various workshops, meetings and an online survey. Those who would like to register their interest in taking part in that process are encouraged to email [email protected].
A copy of the LEP’s annual report is available at https://solentlep.org.uk/media/2905/solent-lep-annual-report-2019-print-v17-final-1-page.pdf.
