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One North East today (25th November, 2008) welcomed the Government’s decision to strengthen and streamline arrangements for delivering sustainable economic development across England.

The Government has acknowledged the key role of One North East in responding to the current economic downturn in the reforms from its Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration announced today.

The reforms will mean closer alignment of national, regional and local strategies, funding and resources.  The primary objective for the RDA over the coming months will be to work with local authorities, the business community and other stakeholders to put in place arrangements which suit the needs and priorities of the North East.

 At the heart of the SNR reforms is a new, single strategy for sustainable economic growth in each region. This will bring together priorities for economic development alongside planning, transport and housing objectives for the first time, with RDAs and local authority leaders taking joint responsibility for its preparation, consultation arrangements and final approval, and for monitoring of its delivery.   The regional strategies will also include details of how each region intends to tackle climate change and reduce carbon emissions.

The new, statutory Regional Strategy will replace the existing regional economic and spatial strategies, which were developed separately by RDAs and regional assemblies respectively.   This will ensure a more integrated approach to regional development.

One North East’s Chairman, Margaret Fay, said: “We’ve been preparing for these important changes for some time and we’re now looking forward to progressing the Regional Strategy, continuing to develop the robust evidence base that we will need and starting work to identify the North East’s priorities.  

“Significant activity has already taken place in the region in the development of existing economic and spatial strategies, and we will ensure that we build on this and our existing strong working relationships with local authorities, the business community and others.  I have already written to Councillor Mick Henry, Chairman of ANEC, to invite him to an early meeting to ensure we move quickly to agree arrangements in the region.

“The outcome of this review presents a real opportunity for the region, for if there was ever a time for partners at every level to work more closely together to agree investments and funding, it is now.”

“It is important that we continue to be able to use our resources flexibly to drive economic growth, particularly at the current time. And over time we will be working with local authorities and others on appropriate delivery arrangements identifying those activities that are best delivered regionally, sub-regionally and locally.  We are already using our strong position to galvanise regional partners in developing and implementing swift and positive responses, both in the short and longer term.

“One North East has worked with Government, leading for the RDAs, to shape these proposals throughout the process.  We are keen to both maintain our strong business-led approach and also to work more closely with the local authority leaders board in taking forward this new task.   We view a more integrated approach to regional development as a real opportunity for the region and reforms such as the local authority economic assessment duty ensure economic development is at the heart of future developments.”

In addition to longer term planning, One North East will also continue its direct support for regional economic growth including enterprise and business support, inward investment and innovation, along with its lead role in responding to economic shocks and job losses.

The Government has also set out arrangements for scrutiny of RDAs and confirms plans for new Parliamentary Regional Select and Grand Committees in the North East.