Partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors across Leicestershire are committed to working together to support the relocation of government departments, agencies and their staff to this area. They recognise that good local government relationships are critical in helping relocations run smoothly. They have consequently established a Public Sector Relocation Support Team, which provides a single point of contact to deliver professional support, information and advice to government departments and agencies and their staff throughout the relocation process. This will enable rapid decision-making and make sure they receive the support needed to ensure the relocation proceeds smoothly.

 

This co-ordinated approach is being led by the Leicester Shire Economic Partnership (LSEP), a not-for profit company established by the East Midlands Development Agency to foster and promote economic development within Leicestershire. Public sector relocation will be a great boost to economic regeneration in Leicestershire. It will create new quality employment opportunities; bring a renewed confidence and stimulate new investment; improve skills and training; help to retain graduates; provide supply chain opportunities for local businesses and help improve the image of the area. Encouraging progress has already been made with a number of enquiries from government agencies that have already expressed an interest in Leicestershire.

 

Leicestershire is recognised in recent independent reports as enjoying a unique set of characteristics to support successful regeneration and investment. For example, as part of the Lyons Civil Service Relocation Review, King Sturge examined the suitability of locations for the relocation of public sector offices and found that Leicester was the only place ranked in the top quartile in every category.

 

Leicestershire provides the right economic environment where government departments and agencies can be confident they can operate successfully for many years.  Business disruption will be minimised by locating here. Financially, Leicestershire will provide significant cost savings on both labour and property, compared with London. And very few other locations can combine significant financial savings with an integrated package that includes a central UK location easily accessible from all major UK cities and regions, close proximity to London, excellent communications links and a dynamic, multi-racial and skilled labour market.

 

Leicestershire will also be attractive to civil service staff.  It is a diverse area both culturally and geographically, which will be welcomed by a wide range of people. Attractive countryside, culturally diverse and strong local communities, excellent schools and hospitals, and a wide choice of places to live from the vibrant and cosmopolitan City of Leicester, lively county towns such as Loughborough and historic market towns like Market Harborough are combined with superb communication links that mean London, Birmingham and other major cities are readily accessible.

 

There is a compelling case for Leicestershire that is backed up by providing the right kind of support needed by those looking to relocate. The Public Sector Relocation Support Team can provide economic and demographic information to help develop the business case and wider economic case. There is an extensive property search facility available to provide up-to-date information on suitable properties and sites in the area. Support is also provided to staff considering relocation, including hosting visits to the area, arranging meetings with schools and other key agencies, as well as information on schools, housing, quality of life, jobs for spouses and partners, etc.