Introduction

From 1 April 2024, the functions of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) were transferred to Somerset Council and the other upper tier local authorities across the region.

This is part of a government plan to bring decision-making related to economic growth back to local areas, this includes the establishment of a Somerset Economic Growth Board and the development of a new Economic Growth Strategy for Somerset.

Somerset Economic Growth Board

The new Somerset Economic Growth Board provides the opportunity for Somerset businesses to collaborate with the Council, business representative organisations and other stakeholders to shape the economic future of Somerset based on local need. The Board will act as the ‘business voice’ into the Council providing invaluable business-led insights on the local economy helping us to build on our existing intelligence to shape current and future economic planning.

The Board will drive forward economic prosperity in Somerset by overseeing the development and implementation of a new Economic Prosperity Strategy for Somerset and will work with us to influence national policy and secure funding for Somerset, in line with the Strategy’s priorities.

Existing strategies can be found on our Somerset Recovery and Growth Plan page.