The County Durham Economic Partnership (CDEP) was established in 1994 with the aim of promoting the economic well being of the County. Since 1994, CDEP has continued to bring together all relevant stakeholders within the County in order to work together to 'secure the economic well-being of the County'.
Since the Partnership was established its role and functions have greatly increased.
The Partnership is now recognised as the Sub Regional Partnership by the Regional Development Agency One NorthEast (ONE) and has responsibility for devolved Single Programme funding.
More recently CDEP has become one of the lead Partnerships in the County Durham Strategic Partnership (CDSP). CDSP aims to achieve the vision of creating a 'Dynamic Durham' by 2023 and has 12 challenges to meet in order to do this. CDEP leads on 3 of the challenges which directly relate to the economy but also contribute to the others.
CDEP represents and supports the economic needs and aspirations of the County. The Partnership’s overall aims are set out in the County Durham Economic Strategy (2002-2007):
- To create high quality employment.
- To generate wealth within the local community.
- To develop an enterprise culture.
- To strengthen and diversify the local economy.
- To exploit the potential of the knowledge economy.
The Partnership strives to meet its aims by fulfilling its functions as the Economic Partnership and also the Sub-Regional Partnership for the County. These functions include:
- Lead and co-ordinate the delivery of the 3 challenges as they relate to the County Durham Vision.
- Contribute to the delivery of the other challenges relating to the Vision.
- Advise/Implement/Deliver the RES and be an advocate of the strategy.
- Provide a leadership role within the Sub Region in terms of economic development and regeneration.
- Develop/Monitor/Review strategic economic policy and the deliverability of any such action.
- Determine the funding priorities for the Sub Region for One NorthEast’s devolved Single Programme funds, European funds and other funding opportunities.
- Speak and act for County Durham and, where appropriate, lobby Regional/National/International bodies on relevant issues.
- Act as a point of communication for both the RDA and external partners to allow for effective consultation and Inclusive involvement.
- Integrate good practice into the Partnership.
- Commission and undertake research as and when the Partnership feel appropriate.
