Press Release- The way we assess the local economy is in danger of becoming information rich and intelligence poor and may undermine recovery says CLES
5 Feb 2010
Whilst evidence is important for creating successful interventions, it is crucial that local authorities consider what the data is ‘saying’ in terms of strategy and policy and redesign policy and strategy accordingly.
This is important. From April 2010, every upper tier and unitary local authority in England will have a statutory duty to prepare a Local Economic Assessment (LEA) for their locality. The latest edition of Rapid Research set out to uncover local economic development practitioners’ views on how they are going about the process and the challenges they are facing locally. The research findings are based on an online survey of 21 local economic development practitioners and wider work with the CLES membership.
CLES’ research uncovered a range of challenges facing practitioners in the field. The most recurrent issue raised was that of determining the geography of the LEA; namely whether or not a sub-regional or local is the correct scale. The work also reveals that whilst quantitative methods and the use of secondary data will no doubt be an important aspect of LEA, statistics can only say so much. The research also uncovered perceptions that the LEA may not be adding value to what many local authorities are already doing. Indeed, as the funding for LEA will not be ring-fenced for assessment purposes, the money may well be used elsewhere.
However, despite the dangers, a number of respondents welcomed that the LEA will put local economic development at the forefront and that it presents an opportunity for practitioners to influence the wider strategic priorities of local government. Moreover, it was suggested that LEA may encourage greater collaborative working between local partners and within local authorities themselves.
Neil McInroy, Chief Executive of CLES, commented: “The LEA is a great opportunity. Local economies matter a great deal for jobs and economic recovery. It would be a great pity if process and data gathering takes precedence over deep analysis into how local economies are performing and how they can be improved.”
[1] The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) is an independent thinking-doing organisation, with charitable status. CLES brings together a network of subscribing organisations involved in regeneration, local economic development and local governance. CLES undertakes a range of activities including policy research, production of publications, training, an information and briefing service, events and a consultancy trading arm – CLES Consulting.
[2] For more information and a copy of the research contact Laura Symonds laurasymonds@cles.org.uk or phone 0161 236 7036
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