19 October 2006

Below is a summary of issues discussed and decisions taken at the meeting of the Assembly on 19 October 2006. The formal minutes will be available following the next Assembly meeting.

For more information on any of the issues discussed, contact the Assembly.

Inderjit Singh Bhogal and Patricia Farrell opened the meeting with an update about the work of the Regional Faiths Forum. This was set up following work by the Assembly and aims to bring the voice of the faith communities in our region together.

Business plan 2007/08

Members endorsed the preparatory work on the Assembly’s draft Business Plan for 2007/8 which will be signed off by the Regional Executive Board in January 2007.

General themes for 2007/08 will include:

• Shifting the emphasis to implementation and delivery of key regional strategies, including the Regional Spatial and Housing Strategies;
• Developing the integrated regional framework to ensure strategies at all levels align;
• Measuring progress in the region;
• Speaking up for the region where it needs to be heard on issues like the Comprehensive Spending Review;
• Ensuring that the regions’ partners views are heard

Members agreed that the activity the Assembly does must mirror the themes of the newly created functional boards, and highlighted issues of waste management, city region activity, climate change, partner engagement and monitoring what we do.

Scrutiny

Independent Performance Assessment of Yorkshire Forward

All regional development agencies in England, including Yorkshire Forward, have been charged by government to carry out an Independent Performance Assessment (IPA). The aim of this is to assess the agency’s effectiveness with the potential of awarding more freedom and flexibility to the better performing RDAs. A Self Assessment Report and a Draft Improvement Plan must be submitted to the National Audit Office in early November.

Assembly Deputy Chair and Chair of Scrutiny Paul Jagger explained that part of this work will include gathering partner views, including those of the Assembly. The Assembly will have the task of monitoring the Improvement Plan with Government Office for Yorkshire and Humber.

Innovation Review

The latest scrutiny review into innovation activity in the region is well under way, with the public discussion taking place on 10 October in Leeds. Paul Jagger said members will be able to comment on the draft recommendations from the review not only through the normal channels, but also in an online discussion, happening in November. The review is expected to be completed in time for the next Assembly meeting in February.

Monitoring

In each of the scrutiny reviews, Yorkshire Forward include an Action Plan, which notes how they will take forward the recommendations in the review. Members noted that significant progress has been made on all the actions detailed in the Skills Policy Action Plan, including the setting up of a Regional Skills Partnership Board. This included a pilot enterprise programme to ensure adequate opportunities for 11-19 year olds.

For more information, contact Iain Lovell, Head of Scrutiny, on 01924 331583.

Appointments

A number of new appointments were confirmed to help steer the Assembly’s work on issues including planning, transport, housing, scrutiny and sustainable development.

Following nominations, members elected Wendy Bundy, the Assembly’s rural representative as Deputy Chair of the Regional Planning Board.

Members also confirmed the appointments of Wendy Bundy and Michele Sutton as SEE partners to the Regional Executive Board, and Naheed Arshad-Mather and Bill Adams to the Scrutiny Board.

For more details contact Nicola Plumstead on 01924 331560, email nicola.plumstead@yhassembly.gov.uk

Finance

Members approved the revised Statement of Accounts for 2005/06 following the Audit and Value for Money reports.

You can download the papers from the meeting from the link below.

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