The past year has seen  profound change in the ‘language’ and practice of economic development and regeneration – ‘localism’, ‘rebalancing’, ‘big society’ are amongst the thematic areas that replaced ‘total place’, ‘growth areas’, ‘sustainable communities’ etc. Delivering more and/or differently for very much less public investment; the deconstruction of regional architecture and processes; and the establishment of the new approaches and institutions have become the hallmarks of the first 12 months of the coalition government.

Third Life Economic commissions are continuing to make major contributions to these changes and include:-

Establishment of the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough (GCGP) Local Enterprise Partnership: In the first round of Local Enterprise Partnerships to be given ‘approval’ by government, GCGP is one of the most interesting new propositions to have emerged to date. A functional economic geography of 1.3 million residents and £30bnGVA, covering all or parts of up to 20 local authority areas in two regions; GCGP seeks to grow the economy to “100,000 significant businesses and create 160,000 new jobs by 2025 in an internationally-renowned, low carbon knowledge based economy”. 3LE provided assistance, inter alia, to define the proposition and draft the initial proposal; and to help establish a new inter-regional economic geography and purposeful relationships, based on Peterborough and its neighbouring districts

The future positioning and influence of small and medium cities (SMCs) and non-metropolitan major urban areas (MUAs) in the new economic development landscape: Working with Regional Cities East (RCE) – an alliance of Colchester, Ipswich, Luton, Norwich, Peterborough and Southend – 3LE has identified major constraints to realising the growth potential of SMCs and MUAs. Policies and mechanisms need to be developed both nationally and locally to ensure that SMCs/MUAs can access the potential benefits of Local Enterprise Partnerships, Regional Growth Fund and other significant opportunities. 3LE is now working with RCE and other potential partners to ensure that SMC/MUA interests are developed and articulated forcefully.

Towards an ‘Industrial Innovation Forum for Local Economies’: Building on David’s role as Principal Industrial Fellow at the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), Cambridge, 3LE and IfM are launching a ‘special interest group’ with local economic leadership teams (local authorities, local enterprise partnerships, business cluster groups and networks). The Forum will develop the analysis, tools and techniques local economies need (especially in the aftermath of the RDAs) to enable growth of manufacturing and related sectors, and to shape ‘renationalised’ innovation, R&D public policies and programmes, in their local areas. Due to be launched in early 2011, work is continuing on the design of the Forum and interested potential members are urged to contact 3LE for further details.

Managing the transition from ‘growth area’ to Local Enterprise Partnership in Luton Gateway: David has continued to chair Luton Gateway (development company), ensuring that momentum has been maintained on a number of flagship initiatives (e.g. a very strong Tax Incremental Finance proposition; the A5-M1 Link road; a number of town centre redevelopments; revisions to and resourcing of the Core Strategy for the conurbation). Following HCA’s decision, effectively, to close the company, David has led this process and the handover of roles and functions to the local authorities and, in due course, the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership.

Developing new agendas and the repositioning of the economic development and regeneration sector: David continues to contribute to ongoing policy developments through thought pieces, articles, papers and participation at major events and networks. He has written extensively this year for key professional journals, facilitated sessions at the Regeneration and Renewal Annual Summit, and is an Advisory Panel member of the Guardian’s Local Government Network.

Other major areas of assistance have included:-

· Economic strategy review – both for Fylde Coast in the North West – considering options for Blackpool and its neighbours, building on the foundations of the MAA, and relations with the wider Lancashire and Manchester City Region economies; and, of a very different character, assisting Rutland respond to the RAF Cottesmore closure announcement (about 10% of the local economy), and begin to explore with Anglian Water and other partners the potential for making more of Rutland Water as an economic driver of sustainable tourism developments

· New approaches to ‘total place’ and decentralisation – contributing to the CLG/Treasury Task Force producing options for developing ‘Total Place’ post the March 2010 budget; and then developing propositions for enhanced roles and responsibilities for Cornwall to adapt national policies and programmes post elections

· Developing new ‘economic assistance’ business models, product and service offers – continuing to work as Strategic Advisor to an economic consultancy to help them consider appropriate responses to the changing agendas and market conditions for research, advice and support during 2010. David’s role included interviewing the company’s leadership team, a range of clients and partners, and investigating the broader consultancy market in terms of branding, product and service offers and relationship management.

· Developing leadership teams and organisations – underpinning much of the 3LE portfolio are mentoring, leadership and OD, training and development, facilitation and related assistance measures. As a Visiting Fellow at Ashridge, David has kept abreast of the latest tools and techniques for this type of support, and has continued his involvement with the Leaders UK programme at the National School of Government.