Southampton: Solent delegates have their say on how €43m EU funds should be spent at event held by the Solent LEP

More than 120 delegates from businesses and organisations across the public and voluntary sectors gave their views on how €43 million of European Union funding should be spent in the Solent region in the next seven years. 

The event held at the Ageas Bowl by the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is part of a broad consultation to help develop a strategy to make the most of the available funds. The money from the EU Structural and Investment Fund is designed to drive growth in the region between 2014 and 2020.

Chris Evans from the University of Exeter launched the consultation after presentations from Solent LEP chief executive Anne-Marie Mountifield, industry liaison officer from the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute Kevin Forshaw and David Morrall from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Delegates discussed where they thought the money would be best spent across a range of sectors including skills, SMEs, innovation, low carbon, employment, ICT and social inclusion. The debate produced a wide range of views and opinions, which will now be collated by the LEP and used to inform production of the strategy.

Doug Morrison, Solent LEP chairman, said: “We had a fantastic turnout of local people keen to help influence how this money is spent for best effect in our region. The feedback we received today is exactly what we need to deliver a targeted programme of investment that tackles the Solent’s issues and promotes growth.”

The consultation is far from over. For those that could not attend the event, the Solent LEP has arranged for an online survey to enable the entire community to register their views. Complete the survey and have your say on the EU Investment strategy by clicking here.

In addition, a second consultation event is currently being planned for Solent stakeholders to help shape the emerging strategy. The details of a second event will be announced shortly.