South Midlands Authorities launched to unite region and drive economic growth
Tuesday, 30 July 2024
Local leaders from across the South Midlands have joined forces, establishing a new group to champion economic growth by supporting businesses, improving skills, and enhancing career opportunities.
The newly established South Midlands Authorities group represents the entire region, covering:
- Bedford Borough Council
- Central Bedfordshire Council
- Luton Council
- Milton Keynes City Council
- North Northamptonshire Council
- West Northamptonshire Council
South Midlands Authorities will also oversee the work previously managed by the Central Area Growth Board, the Growth Hub and Careers Hub.
The region is considered as a national leader in driving business growth and delivering job opportunities. It’s home to over 77,000 businesses which are already supported by local authority economic development teams and partners.
The new partnership will ensure a more joined up approach so the whole region benefits from economic growth, with stronger opportunities available to unlock funding and attract investment into the region.
The South Midlands Authorities will soon be launching its collaborative branding and simplified new web platform, enabling users to access business advice, skills knowledge and careers support all in one place.
Business support is available to all businesses in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes, north and west Northamptonshire including:
- The South Midlands Growth Hub – who provide free business support and advice, access to grant funding, and an extensive resource library to every business across the area
- The South Midlands Careers Hub – who work with employers and careers leaders in schools and colleges, to provide career insights and guidance to young people and help prepare them for their transition from education to the workplace to improve careers outcomes for young people
South Midlands Authorities will also be recruiting for a Business Board to support the economic work across the local authority areas and ensure a strong business voice for the area.
Councillor Pete Marland, Co-Chair of the South Midlands Authorities and Leader of MK City Council said:
We need strong partnerships like these to drive economic growth and boost job prospects in our city and across the region. Along with our neighbours, we’re proud to be leading the way and delivering for our businesses. However, we cannot be complacent, and this partnership shows our collective motivation to boost the region’s economic prospects, improve skills and support young people into work.
The South Midlands Growth Hub, and the South Midlands Careers Hub have worked tirelessly to support businesses and schools, while actively collaborating with business partners. With the Careers Hub and the Growth Hub united under the South Midlands Authorities, it will enable this work to continue, strengthening relationships between the six local authorities to boost growth regionally.
Councillor Mark Smith, Deputy Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, said:
One of our core aims is to provide the right environment for economic prosperity, where existing businesses can grow, and new ones will move to the area. One of the ways we can do that is by working even more effectively with our partners to create the best opportunities for businesses in Central Bedfordshire, bringing wider benefit to all our residents. We’re therefore extremely pleased to be part of the South Midlands Authorities group.
About South Midlands Authorities
The South Midlands Authorities (prev. the Central Area Growth Board) is a partnership between the local authorities of Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedford Council, Luton Council, Milton Keynes City Council, North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council.
Since 2018 the Central Area Growth Board had worked alongside the Growth Hub and the Careers Hub to coordinate and strengthen cross-boundary working across the region.
Following the government announcement for Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) functions to be hosted by local authorities from April 2024, the Growth Hub and the Careers Hub are now being hosted by West Northamptonshire Council, on behalf of the six south midlands councils. This transition from LEP to local authorities presented a new opportunity to consolidate the South Midlands Authorities (formerly known as Central Area Growth Board) the Growth Hub and the Careers Hub under a unified brand in order to better serve the region.