The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly
16 November 2006
Below is a summary of issues discussed and decisions taken at the meeting of the Regional Executive Board on 16 November 2006. You can download the papers from this meeting from the Assembly’s website. The formal minutes will be available following the next Regional Executive Board meeting.
For more information on any of the issues discussed, contact the Assembly.
Integrated Regional Framework
In line with recent Government guidance on strengthening delivery of sustainable development in the English regions, the Assembly is taking forward work on a new Integrated Regional Framework - to ensure regional strategies and investment work collectively to improve delivery of regional priorities.
The new framework - which will merge the existing Advancing Together and Regional Sustainable Development frameworks - will also resolve gaps and conflicts in current strategies and lead to better policy and decision making.
Members discussed progress of the work already carried out, which has identified a number of key issues where the region has persistent and problematic trends. These are: Widening Gaps in Income and Inequalities, Transport, Climate Change/Energy, Housing Affordability, Obesity, Violent Crime and the need for Higher Level Skills and Innovation.
They agreed a report setting out the approach, to ensure the new Framework contains a renewed vision and common goals for the region, principles that all partners can sign up to and a consultation process which will also seek to engage the general public.For more details contact Sian Ferguson on 01924 331563, email sian.ferguson@yhassembly.gov.uk
Regional Energy Infrastructure Strategy
David Bowe, Chair of the Regional Energy Forum, introduced the Strategy, which addresses aspects of the energy challenge facing Yorkshire and Humber to have secure, affordable and low carbon supplies of energy.
The Government’s Energy White Paper sets out stringent national targets for reductions in emissions with an overall aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60% of their 1990 levels by 2050. It also details the key role regional agencies have in producing strategies and action plans to support this aim.
The strategy, drawn up following extensive consultation with partners and stakeholders, sets out what the region needs to do on energy generation and supply to achieve regional energy targets and maintain affordable energy supplies. Its main purpose is to identify and present the rationale for the priorities for investment so that it can be used to influence through the Regional Economic Strategy and secure additional investment in the region.
Initially, the main focus of efforts are to secure £30 million from DTI to pump-prime investment of over £100 million to install a super-critical, carbon-capture-ready boiler at one of the region’s coal-fired power stations.
Following a lengthy debate on the challenges and potential economic benefits the region could secure from developing a unified approach on energy, members endorsed the strategy, which will be launched next year. For more details contact Sian Ferguson on 01924 331563, email sian.ferguson@yhassembly.gov.uk
Comprehensive Spending Review
Following agreement at the last Executive Board over the eight key issues to press Yorkshire and Humber's case for future Government spending as part of the Review, members discussed a way forward for ways of maximising impact of the work.
Eight major issues have been identified and have formed the basis of a joint regional submission which was been sent to Government last month. These are: Transport, Enterprise, Innovation and Science, Inclusion and Employment, Skills, Investment, Housing and Quality of Place.
Evidence and advice in the submission sets out how public funding could be better used to achieve the Government's regional economic performance and regeneration targets.
Details of proposed lobbying activity- including tailored letters to regional MPs, meetings between lead members and Ministers for housing and transport - were discussed. Members agreed transport is the key issue for Yorkshire and Humber and that any lobbying activity should be channelled towards that issue. For more details contact Sue Jeffrey at 01924 331561, email sue.jeffrey@yhassembly.gov.uk
Other Business
European Structural Funds
Details of the confirmed regional funding allocations for the European Structural Fund were discussed by members.
The Yorkshire and Humber region has been awarded a total of €524 million (based on 2004 prices), of which €247 million is ring fenced for South Yorkshire with €277 million available for West and North Yorkshire and the Humber. This funding is allocated for the period 2007 to 2013. The North West region is the only English region to be allocated more funding than Yorkshire and Humber.
Each region must produce and submit an Operational Programme to the European Commission by 30 April 2007 to outline how their funding allocation will be spent.
Initial views gathered during an early consultation in October 2006 are being incorporated into a revised draft programme, on which formal consultation will begin on 18 December 2006. For more details contact Lyndsey Bunn on 01924 331565, email lyndsey.bunn@yhassembly.gov.uk
City Regions and Sustainable Development
Members discussed developing ways of the Assembly working with leading local authorities from the city regions to ensure consistency over sustainability issues in the City Region Development Plans.
Details of the work already being carried out in the Leeds, Sheffield and Hull city regions were clarified, with an agreement that city region representatives should meet with Assembly and Yorkshire Forward officers to harness that work to best effect. For more details contact Sian Ferguson on 01924 331563, email sian.ferguson@yhassembly.gov.uk
You can download the papers and minutes below.
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