Sub National Review
01-Apr-08
On 17 July 2007, the Government published a review of sub-national economic development and regeneration (the sub-national review or SNR). The review aimed to:
- strengthen economic performance in regions, cities and localities; and
- tackle persistent pockets of deprivation.
It aimed to achieve these ends by better integrating regional policy and improving the timeliness of policy formation.
From a planning perspective, its key proposal was to create a new 'single regional strategy' (SRS), harmonising and integrating the policy currently found in Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) and Regional Economic Strategies (RES). As part of this process, a decision was taken to end the operation of Regional Assemblies, responsible to date for the delivery of RSS and for the function of regional planning body. This decision clearly has significant implications for the practice and culture of regional planning.
SNR recommendations cover several government departments and policy areas and a cross-Government programme has been established to manage their implementation for which the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) are jointly responsible.
- Click here to view the original 2007 sub-national review paper
On 31 March BERR and CLG issued a consultation paper taking forward the planning components of the sub-national review. The RTPI developed a response through a working group within the Policy and Practice Committee, which engaged closely with the lead RDA and the English Regions Network. RTPI SE Region held a conference that sought stakeholders' views. RTPI networks were also engaged through a Network Policy Forum.
- Click here to download the 2008 consultation paper
- Click here to view the RTPI response
On 25 November 2008, the Government issued its response to the consultation, indicating that it will legislate to create single regional strategies, drawn up by a combination of Regional Development Agencies and a newly formalised Regional Leaders' Board, providing regional political accountability. Whilst this solution has ended the uncertainty and acknowledged RTPI calls for greater democratic accountability, the proposed mechanism of preparing SRS appears unwieldy.
- Click here to view the CLG/BERR response to the 2008 consultation
The Queen's Speech on 3 December 2008 announced the introduction of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill which, amongst other functions, implements the Sub National Review.
- Click here to access the RTPI's Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill coverage
- Author:
- Rynd Smith
- Publisher:
- The Royal Town Planning Institute
- Date:
- 01-Apr-08
- Categories:
- Policy, Practice
- Sections:
- The RTPI , What Planning Does
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How can the SNR proposals be improved to seize this opportunity to integrate economic development and spatial planning ? Ideally, CLG and BERR should produce a further consultation on integrating economic development and spatial planning at all spatial levels. Practically, it might be achieved through inter-departmental cooperation in responding to the present SNR Consultation.
Essentially, the mechanisms for promoting and delivering integrated spatial planning and economic development at the regional, subregional and local levels should be worked up to balance the interests of CLG and local authorities with the interests of BERR and the RDAs. A major culture change will be needed amongst all concerned to achieve the integration of economic development and spatial planning.
Specifically, the proposed Local Authority Leaders Forums or some similar accountability mechanism might be incorporated into RDA structures to ensure democratic accountability within an equal partnership to develop and implement the proposed regional strategies. These new strategies should include a clear vision, provision of employment land, environmental improvement and a phased delivery plan within a duty to promote overall sustainable development..
The proposed timescale for preparing the regional strategy should provide a realistic period for the two examinations in public and the scale of stakeholder consultation envisaged. The proposed Delivery Plans should be effectively linked into future rounds of Regional Funding Allocations, MAAs, LAAs and the delegation of the RDAs “single pot” funding to the local authorities that have the capacity to use them.
Local authorities should produce local economic assessments and local economic development strategies and action plans preferably through collaboration at the subregional level. These strategies should be fully integrated with Local Development Frameworks and Sustainable Community Strategies and local authorities should have positive powers and sufficient resources to promote local economic development.
Finally, subregional economic partnerships should be established using a joint board model to manage the delivery of subregional programmes. They should have the option to take on housing provision, education and health care provision as well as strategic transport provision to ensure the economic, social and environmental well-being of their areas within a framework of sustainable development.