The Government has invited local authorities to submit proposals to form Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) by 6 September 2010. It is envisaged that LEPs will form a key part of the delivery of economic development at a sub-national level.
It is vital that rural communities have the opportunity to access the services and funding that new LEPs will bring to areas and that rural economies’ contributions and needs are recognised and embraced in any emerging partnerships.
To help us to understand the current picture in respect of the coverage of LEPs and to help inform their development we are keen to hear your insights and experiences.
Our call for evidence sets out what we are looking for and our proposed timescale. Thank you in anticipation for your help with this important piece of work.
I’d urge everyone to seriously consider the ways in which community media can help to create a sense of community, and to encourage participation as well as spreading information. They do so more effectively and cheaper than the rest of the media.
A radio broadcast stream, at 32 kbps, is suitable for speech broadcasts and is easily carried by the lowest broadband service and by mobile phones.
The investment required to cover rural areas is minimal, and experience shows that volunteers love to get involved in truly local broadcasting.
I’d hesitate to suggest that the forthcoming review of the BBC should hive off local radio responsibilities to community media – but I know we’d do a much better job, without spending anything like the money that the BBC does now.
If the Big Society is to mean anything we must be rational. It may be that parts of the BBC are past their sell-by date, and the emerging new blood that can be seen in community media broadcasting should be given a modicum of support.
Yes, I admit it: I am Chairman of a community station, and a director of the Community Media Association.