Local Enterprise Growth Initiative
The Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) is a Department
for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)/HM Treasury funding
programme available to local authorities with “neighbourhood
renewal area status”. LEGI started in 2005/06, covers a
three year period, and has a total allocation of £300million.
It is allocated through annual competitive bidding rounds.
LEGI has three aims:
• To increase entrepreneurial activity in deprived
areas
• To support the sustainable growth- and reduce failure
rate of locally owned businesses in deprived areas
• To attract appropriate inward investment and franchising
into deprived areas, making use of local labour resources
Within the region, Government Office North West (GONW) is the
lead organisation for LEGI. The NWDA’s role includes:
• Working closely with GONW to co-ordinate the
programme to ensure that the bidding process is clear and high
quality bids are submitted from local authority areas
• Providing technical advice to the regional decision
making panel
• Ensuring that LEGI complements the regional enterprise
agenda, for example alongside the new Business Link Northwest
service and the Business Support Simplification Programme
• Disseminating best practice across the region;
• Helping successful LEGI areas tackle obstacles to
delivery.
To date the Northwest has had four successful bids which
combined received £67.9 million (24.6% of the national total).
Round 1 - St Helens
Round 2 - Blackpool;
Liverpool/Sefton; Pennine
Lancashire (Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn,
Pendle & Lancashire County Council)
Information regarding a potential Round 3 of LEGI is expected in
late 2007.
Contact
For further information on LEGI in the Northwest contact:
Mark Booker, Strategy Manager for Enterprise Areas, NWDA mark.booker@nwda.co.uk
Link
Neighbourhood
Renewal Unit