Milton Keynes Economy & Learning Partnership (MKELP) was established formally on 1 January 2004 and is the result of the merger of the Milton Keynes Economic Partnership and the Milton Keynes Lifelong Learning Partnership. This merger follows in the tradition of Milton Keynes adaptive approach to organisational structures, as evidenced by the original formation of the first ever Economic Partnership.

The remit of the Economy and Learning Partnership is:
"To promote and develop a prosperous community, underpinned by a strong economy with employment and learning opportunities for all".
The primary geographical focus of the Partnership is the Borough of Milton Keynes
but its influence extends to the wider sub-region.

Within this remit, the Partnership will have four key roles:

• To implement and monitor the local economic and learning development plan.
  
• To act as the key contact point for economic and learning matters arising from local,
• To stimulate leadership and consensus building.
  
• To undertake research activity to underpin the long-term economic and learning agendas, as part of the long-term development of Milton Keynes.

The key objectives of the Partnership are to work

• obtain agreement on the long-term role and positioning of Milton Keynes.
  
• seek agreement on the institutional and funding arrangements to enable Milton Keynes and its sub-region to achieve their potential.
  
• lead the development of Milton Keynes as a centre of excellence for learning.
  
• increase the level of skills and educational
• assist the growth of SMEs through the provision of high quality business support services.
  
• increase the number and range of employment opportunities, particularly in the knowledge-based and higher added-value sectors.
  
• grow higher education provision to meet local needs.
  
• increase the participation rates for disadvantaged groups.
  
• promote entrepreneurship.
  
• support the attraction of inward investment and delivery of aftercare services.
  
• assist the provision of information services, to reflect the Milton Keynes 'welcome'.
  
• raise ITC standards, both in individuals and the infrastructure.
  
• improve public transport within Milton Keynes and facilitate a modal shift away from single-person journeys to alternatives.
  
• lobby to ensure that external access to Milton Keynes is improved.
  
• monitor the balance between employment and housing growth.
  
• increase the proportion of the workforce living within the area in housing that meets their needs and aspirations.
  
• undertake timely and relevant research to support the activities of the Partnerships and the partners.

Milton Keynes Economy and Learning Partnership
Central Business Exchange II
1st floor
406-412 Midsummer Boulevard
Central Milton Keynes
MK9 2EA

The MKELP website can be found at www.mkelp.co.uk