The Humber LEP has been graded “exceptional” for delivery in the Government’s latest performance review as huge question marks hang over its future.
The annual review also saw the Humber LEP graded as good for governance and confirmation received that it continues to meet Whitehall’s requirements for strategic impact.
Officials commented on the LEP’s “clear decision-making with a strong emphasis on value for money and independent external assessment”. They also praised the LEP’s level of spending commitment for programmes such as the Local Growth Fund, which is higher than many other LEPs. The funds were originally secured for the region through competitive bidding by the team.
There was also praise for the LEP’s upcoming Local Industrial Strategy, which assessors said had been “well received” by Government and was one of the priorities to be signed off before the coronavirus crisis.
The assessors noted the important role played by the LEP’s board members, stating that they were “engaged and active.”
However, there are fears devolution threatens to derail a decade of good work, with South Bank authorities looking towards a Greater Lincolnshire model, leaving Hull and East Yorkshire to go it alone.
A search for a new chairman has been called off as the what is required going forward is understood.
Lord Chris Haskins, chair of the Humber LEP, said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of our annual review. It’s great to see that the Government agrees we are serving the region in an effective way and having a positive impact.
“The “exceptional” rating for delivery is particularly welcome, and is a credit to the hard work of our programme management teams and our delivery partners – including the four local authorities and other project sponsors.
“The outcome of the review shows how putting resources under local control can deliver excellent results – as a LEP we are able to use partnership working and close co-operation with organisations across our region in a really effective way. This is especially important as we work to mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis and plan for the recovery.”
The LEP is leading an unprecedented co-ordianted multi-agency approach to ensuring business resilience to the pandemic.
In terms of recent success for the Humber LEP in the period covered by January’s review - just published - the LEP’s Growing the Humber scheme has seen 2,830 jobs created through the Local Growth Fund and Regional Growth Fund.
Some of the successful projects delivered include the Cottingham and Orchard Park Flood Alleviation Scheme - awarded £5 million - which is helping to protect properties across Hull and East Yorkshire. It won an Institure of Chartered Engineers award for innovation.
The Delivering Housing Growth in Hull project was supported by £10 million from the Local Growth Fund. This project has seen more than 800 new homes built across the city and has supported 244 construction jobs and apprenticeships over the last four years.
The South Humber Rail Gauge Enhancement was supported by £7.2m from the Local Growth Fund, enabling Port of Immingham to carry as much as 50 per cent more cargo by overhauling the line to ensure it is suitable to support ‘high cube’ containers,
Elsewhere, the Catch Energy Offshore project was supported by £1.75m from the Local Growth Fund, with the creation of specialist training facilities and infrastructure for the offshore wind industry at Stallingborough.
As reported, the Humber LEP’s current focus is supporting businesses and other organisations during the coronavirus crisis. Growth Hub business advisors across the four local authorities have handled more than 5,000 calls for support in the month.
The Humber Economic Resilience Group, comprising of more than 20 business support organisations across the Humber, spearheaded by the LEP, is currently supporting the Humber Local Resilience Forum by co-coordinating businesses who can help the fight against COVID-19 through supplying and manufacturing PPE and hand sanitiser, donate foodstuffs, and provide other important services. Humber Jobs Fuse service, also launched, is providing support to those made redundant due to the impact of the pandemic, seeking to match them with businesses with staff shortages in key sectors.
