Business and Enterprise
The Business and Enterprise Working Group has been set up to encourage the creation and growth of businesses within County Durham.
This group will identify strategic business development priorities and oversee delivery of the Area Brokerage Model, and consider how to develop an entrepreneurial culture within the County. The work of the group will recognise the distinction between business support and enterprise development and target interventions accordingly.
Membership
Representatives of those organisations within the County Durham Economic Partnership with a key strategic role regarding Business and Enterprise:
Chair, Private Sector representation – including SME interests, County Council , 2 x District Council representation to represent LEGI, Enterprise Agency Representation, Business Link North East, North East Chamber of Commerce, Learning and Skills Council, Higher Education representation, Further Education representation, County Durham Area Tourism Partnership and the County Durham Development Company.
Responsibilities
- To develop a strategic direction, priorities and Work Programme for Business and Enterprise Development.
- To engage widely with the private sector.
- To consider the potential impact of new developments, including policy priorities, evaluation, research findings and other evidence.
- To scrutinise delivery of the Business Link North East contract within County Durham to ensure it meets the needs and opportunities of businesses.
- To facilitate and develop the provision of the Business Support Network throughout Durham.
- To develop and support business creation and entrepreneurship projects, linking in with other Partnership Groups as appropriate.
- To work closely with the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative.
- To consider and approve in principle projects for external funding, including Single Programme resource delegated to the Partnership.
For further information or to discuss the workplan for this group please
contact the secretariat.
