The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) programme is now underway with 39 LEPs having been agreed by Ministers. So far, all the LEPs have shown an interest in/recognised tourism as an economic activity but it is a discretionary choice and there may be future LEPs that exclude it. Of the LEPs that have so far been agreed, they vary considerably, from the ‘Super’ LEP of Kent, Essex and East Sussex to smaller area formats that exploit a communication corridor such as ‘Coast to Capital’, linking Brighton to Gatwick and south London. LEPs do not have to be area-specific, they could be thematic, although this draws into question their ‘local’ basis. However they could combine both a theme and a spatial element such as a string of coastal resorts or a grouping of historic towns.

LEP applications which fail first time round are not necessarily flawed - many may re-apply but need to fit the specified criteria more clearly. A proportion of agreed LEPs also reflect existing political boundaries (such as Hertfordshire) or with minor variations from existing structures (such as Cornwall and the Scilly Isles). Others also reflect pre-1974 local authority boundaries. Unlike single tiers of local government, LEPs can be super-imposed over one another so a destination might be located in more than one LEP. Whilst LEPs will be seen as primary applicants for the Regional Growth Fund (£4bn over three years), other non-LEP organisations can also apply. However, it had initially been indicated that the three regions of London, the East and South-East will be given less priority when considering bids.

Further information about the LEP programme and a full list of LEPs is available on the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) website.