Staying true to our ethos of evidence-based decision making

By Emma Ward, Research, Evidence and Analysis Programme Manager

Anyone who knows me, will say that I am as passionate about evidence as I am about our wonderful region. I am so excited about the opportunities devolution are going to bring and the commitment from everyone involved to have evidence at the core of our new organisation, but I’ve also been doing a lot of reflecting about the journey our region has been on raising the profile of the importance of evidence and analysis since 2014. At the heart of the North East LEP lies a commitment to evidence and evaluation and our ambition is to glean insights from a decade of delivery and to leverage the robust foundation we’ve laid for the region’s prosperity.

Over the past half-decade, we’ve invested significantly in fostering a culture of reflective learning and evaluative practices. We understand that such practices serve as bedrock for the new North East Combined Authority (NECA), ensuring that our priorities and delivery mechanisms align with our regional ambitions and inspire confidence to attract future funding. Thus, it’s paramount that the LEP’s wealth of learning is not only preserved but also shared with our partners.

Our endeavor in this evaluative journey was to encapsulate insights spanning various themes that underscore the multifaceted roles of the LEP. We sought to safeguard our learning and legacy amidst the evolving economic development landscape.

To ensure the integrity and depth of our evaluation, we collaborated with RSM, an independent consultancy. RSM’s thorough approach encompassed an extensive literature review and in-depth interviews with over 30 stakeholders. This wealth of intelligence was meticulously evaluated against best practice principles, offering a nuanced assessment of the SEP’s impact and the LEP’s role.

The findings and recommendations put forth by RSM for the new NECA are not merely observations but catalysts for discourse on future initiatives in the region:

• The North East LEP’s role in articulating a clear and consistent economic vision for the region is acknowledged. Looking ahead, fostering opportunities for co-created strategy development will be paramount in the new governance structures.

• Emphasis is placed on the pivotal role of data and evidence in shaping economic policies, underscored by the North East Evidence Hub and a commitment to data-led decision-making.

• Partnership working emerges as a linchpin in orienting policies and programs effectively, emphasizing the need for continued nurturing and leveraging within the NECA.

• The wealth of knowledge, expertise, and innovative thinking within the North East LEP and its staff is deemed indispensable in shaping the trajectory of the new organisation.

As we transition into this new phase, armed with insights from our evaluative journey, we are poised to chart a course that maximizes the region’s economic potential while staying true to our ethos of evidence-based decision-making and collaborative growth.