York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP is reviewing its first year of operation. JULIE HAYES reports.

BUSINESSES are being asked to shape the future of business support in the region as the area’s local enterprise partnership nears the end of its first year.

York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP is holding a strategic review of its first year in position as the Conservative-Liberal Democrat alternative to regional development agencies.

On Friday, the organisation met about 30 local networks, such as the Federation of Small Businesses, Enterprise Rockers, Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and York Professionals to discuss its activities.

Tim Frenneaux, enterprise partnership manager for the LEP, said: “We’ve been here for a year now. The time is right to take stock of what we’re doing.”

He said the organisation was keen to make the most of resources – such as networks – that already exist.

It recently started brokering relationships between professionals in chartered institutes and local business networks to organise events that raise awareness of the professional advice already available.

He said the feedback told the local LEP that it seemed to understand the needs of small businesses and micro businesses, and that it was saying the right things, although more action was needed. “Some businesses asked for greater communication and set down the challenge to us that we have got to live up to what we say we’re going to do,” said Mr Frenneaux.

“One of the messages that came back and which is something our board has been keen on, is prioritising.

“We can’t be all things to all people and we’re not going to get into mission creep.

“We need clear priorities and want to make a difference in terms of these.”

Barry Dodd, chairman of the LEP, said it would be interested in hearing from other businesses before the LEP board meets on July 13 to finalise the strategic review, which would be its plan for the future.

He said: “Anybody who has got a good idea or a good view of what we are, or are not doing is welcome to put their views forward.

“The more people that get involved the better.”

Other suggestions for the review included more sharing of good news in an effort to boost business confidence, said Mr Frenneaux, making good news case studies more prominent on the LEP’s website and providing more commentary from the networks.

To tell the LEP what you think, about it or its future role, tweet @bizinspiredgrow before July 13.

Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership has also launched an online business and investment portal at business.leedscityregion.gov.uk to help businesses find free business support.