HotSW - Observatory Function

Tender description

The LEP’s operating model identifies three core streams through which the LEP adds value; governance & transparency, commissioning & delivery, and thought leadership. The Observatory function aims to deliver to the last of these with the following specific outcomes: • strengthen the data and evidence available to the Board, operations team and wider partnership in the area, supporting robust decision-making, a strong narrative to influence Government policy and where relevant enable compelling bids for Government and other sources of funding, • the LEP is recognised as a provider of valuable economic intelligence and insight, • the LEP understands and is able to demonstrate the impact it is having on the local economy, • HotSW LEP is recognised nationally as a LEP which is leading the way in analysis and understanding of its economy. Ensuring additional capacity to provide the overall Observatory function with specific lead for the following products. Responses should set out how it is envisaged these will be delivered, ideally with an indication of what a dashboard might look like: a) A dashboard-style report to show key metrics of the HotSW economy. Primary audience will be the LEP Board and the dashboard will support the LEP’s strategic decision making and evaluation of priorities. The dashboard would also be publicly available on the LEP website and through the EIO will help ensure a shared understanding of the key elements of the HotSW economy. To be produced by end August and presented to the LEP Board in September with a walk-through of the key issues and implications. The dashboard will be refreshed as component data sets are updated through the year most probably on a 6 month basis, e.g. employment data is updated September. It will build on base work done to monitor the area’s Productivity Strategy which is attached, and this will need updating to reflect the newly agreed Build Back Better plan. The dashboard will broadly cover the three areas of economy, environment and inclusion, will draw on the work around monitoring the Local Industrial Strategy and update this to reflect the LEP’s focus on the Build Back Better plan strategy. It would typically cover 4-5 years of data for each indicator to illustrate key trends. The existing SAP Observatory would be expected to contribute the skills content to ensure alignment. Data will be presented mostly at a HotSW level with links to the relevant local authority websites for data specific to Devon, Somerset, Plymouth & Torbay. b) The Observatory may commission one or two pieces of work directly which support the LEP’s overall thought leadership work. Primary audience will be stakeholders especially partners developing business cases, MPs and possibly the media. For example, this could include a study into the impact of a net zero carbon economy on Heart of the South West. Research funding to be sourced through the LEP’s Finance & Resources Committee and is separate to the core Observatory function. At this stage only an indication of the types of research that may be commissioned is required. Final agreement would be after the contract is awarded and would need agreement with the LEP management team. c) Work with the LEP’s Communications & Partnerships Manager to ensure the totality of the LEP’s research and analysis is accessible via the website and its implications are highlighted to policy makers. The primary audiences are local partners & Govt where relevant.