Local Enterprise Partnerships - see proposals including those in and around the East Midlands :

The Government invited councils and businesses across England to  put together their proposals for new economic development partnerships to replace regional development agencies.  The letter is detailed in the document below. 

• EMCF continues to work with Church Leaders and others in the face of widespread government initiated cuts.  In particular in this region we have voiced our concern over the potentially damaging changes to Supporting People programmes.  We recognise that some rearrangements may add to efficiency but the most vulnerable in society must be protected.

• Following the end of regional government, the closure of EMDA and the Government Office at the end of this month, EMCF will work to facilitate good relationships between churches and faith communities at County and City level.  We have a complete list of key officers in the local authorities and are working with the Voluntary and Community Sector consortiums and others in each Authority Area to build co-operation including links to the now emerging Local Enterprise Partnerships. 

• Churches Together groups locally will be further assisted by a Churches Together in Britain and Ireland initiative to offer them all a free  web-site hosting with a  good content management system called  “Churches Together Connect”

• Faith Networks across the country which have received government funding for the last two years are expected to make significant cuts and redundancies at the end of March unless there is a change of heart by government.  Church Groups including EMCF are looking at ways in which they can help those of other faiths to at least maintain access and good relationships with the authorities.