by political editor Paul Francis

Doubts have been raised about the ability of a new cross-county partnership to boost jobs and business in Kent and the south east.

A report has criticised the progress being made by 24 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) which were set up by the government to replace regional development agencies.

It says they are making "alarmingly slow progress", one year after they were set up.

According to the think tank Centre for Cities, the South East LEP - made up of business and council representatives in Kent, Essex and Sussex - is too big to be effective - ironically, a criticism that was levelled against its predecessor.

The report’s authors write: "The South East LEP covers 16 travel-to-work areas, as well as being split by the Thames Estuary, which suggests it is too large to be effective."

The report also criticises the size of the 43-strong board and identifies the LEP as one of several not to have had its board recognised by the government and among thoseyey to consult on their strategy.

Andrew Carter, director of policy and research at Centre for Cities, said: "While a handful of LEPs are doing really well, many are struggling to come close to meeting the objectives that were set to them by Government this time last year. One of our biggest concerns is the spatial geography of some LEPs does not match the economic and political geography."

John Spence, chair of the South East LEP, which includes Kent, said: "Given that we were moving from a standing start, it's fair to say that it has taken some time to move to full impetus. However, our very powerful board has agreed a clear and ambitious vision. We are now pushing forward workstreams to deliver our priorities with a minimum of bureaucracy."

He added: "The Government’s designation of two Enterprise Zones in our LEP area is testament to our speed of action and ability to prioritise, despite our size."

The report’s criticism of the size of the South East LEP will resonate with critics who had argued that Kent should have its own partnership.

That had been planned but the government’s communities secretary Eric Pickles intervened to persuade the three counties to join forces instead.