It proposes reforms that make it easier for action to be taken at local level to boost jobs and skills, support businesses and ensure that all areas are making plans for recovery from the economic slowdown.
The South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) and South West Councils (SWC) have welcomed the proposals that will improve arrangements for promoting sustainable economic growth and regeneration in the region. Together with the Government Office for the South West (GOSW), they agreed to draw up plans to implement the reforms.
Jane Henderson, Chief Executive of South West Regional Development Agency, said:
"We are committed to working closely with local authority leaders to make sure that the South West has the plans and the structures to lead us through the challenges of the next few years and to the opportunities beyond."
Key elements of the proposals are:
- A single regional strategy, prepared and agreed jointly by local authorities and the RDA, which sets out how the region will grow economically, spatially and sustainably;
- The current 119-member Regional Assembly to be replaced by a streamlined and strategic local authority leaders' group;
- Each local authority will assess the economic potential of its area which will inform both the regional strategy and local level plans and decisions about priorities;
- Better integration of economic, social and environmental goals; and
- Closer working between local authorities and partners to strengthen economic development at very local level.
The announcement follows a public consultation on some of the commitments outlined in the Sub National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR) in July 2007.
Local Government Minister John Healey said:
"This is the latest step in the SNR's progressive evolution and devolution of new powers and freedoms for regions, cities and local authorities. These plans and the new devolutionary package for cities announced in the PBR by the Chancellor will boost jobs and skills, increase prosperity across the country, and reduce inequalities between and within regions."
The Government is looking for these arrangements to come into force by April 2010. SWC, the RDA and GOSW will look at the scope for implementing some or all of them before then.
