As seasoned practitioners in this field we know that traditional economic development within authorities has over the past few years been at the margins of other policy areas.

The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act for the first time gives local authorities the statutory power to conduct a Local Economic Assessment.

Authorities and their partners should be using this as:

1. An influencing mechanism to integrate economic development practice and thinking into broader plans such as the Sustainable Community Strategy;
2. A way of helping partners bring together their needs in their Single Conversation with the Homes and Communities Agency, and;
3. A joined-up approach in creating and connecting programmes and infrastructure that create thriving and functioning economies.

This requires support not just in terms of having an assessment but helping organisations to create the right conditions for making this happen.