15 March 2007

Below is a summary of issues discussed and decisions taken at the meeting of the Regional Executive Board on 15 March 2007. You can download the papers from this meeting from the link at the bottom of the page. Formal minutes will be available following the next Regional Executive Board meeting. For more information on any of the issues discussed, contact the Assembly on 01924 331555.

Climate Change

Recently, Yorkshire Forward and Government Office have worked with the Assembly on various climate change initiatives, including getting businesses involved in delivering climate change targets.

The Climate Change Action Plan was launched in 2005, but given the increasing importance of climate change, members of the REB agreed to take ownership of the Climate Change Action Plan, ensuring that it links effectively with other initiatives in the region and the work of local authorities.

Research is also underway to find out how regional strategies, both individually and collectively are contributing to delivery of regional climate change targets.

ARUP, Cambridge Econometrics and the Stockholm Environment Institute are due to deliver the final report in April 2007 after modelling the impact of: business as usual; statutory and adopted regional targets, aspirational regional targets and One Planet Living (i.e. taking account of environmental limits).

Members discussed, in detail, the initial findings, and put forward ideas of how to increase people’s awareness of climate change issues, and address them in this region. They also discussed the steps needed to ensure the new Integrated Regional Framework takes account of climate change in its policies. For more details contact Sian Ferguson on 01924 331560, email sian.ferguson@yhassembly.gov.uk

Sub National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration

Members were updated on this cross cutting review of the sub national delivery of economic development and regeneration, a key part of the debate about devolving decision-making and one part of a range of ongoing work, including the Lyons Review, and the recently published independent reviews considering transport (Eddington), planning (Barker), and skills (Leitch).

A formal response to government was sent from the Assembly following the meeting in February. You can find this on the Assembly’s website.

Other research considered were the New Local Government Network publication, Redesigning Regionalism, and the report from the Communities and Local Government Committee into regional governance, both of which look at the current and future role of assemblies on a national basis. It was agreed these will be further discussed at the next REB meeting. For more details contact Sue Jeffrey at 01924 331560, email sue.jeffrey@yhassembly,gov.uk

Other business

House of Commons

Details of the Assembly’s successful delegation to the House of Commons to meet regional MPs and Peers over transport issues were discussed. There had been extensive media coverage of the event and had further raised both the profile of the Assembly and the transport challenges facing the region to Parliamentarians representing constituencies in Yorkshire and Humber. For more details contact Chris Martin on 01924 331590

Yorkshire Forward’s Independent Performance Assessment

All regional development agencies in England, including Yorkshire Forward, have carried out an Independent Performance Assessment (IPA).

The aim of this has been to assess the agency’s effectiveness with the potential of awarding more freedom and flexibility to the better performing RDAs. The work has included a Self Assessment Report and Improvement Plan submitted to the National Audit Office (NAO).

Part of this work has included gathering partner views, including those of the Assembly and individual members and partners. Details of Yorkshire Forward’s results were briefly discussed and members agreed the Assembly’s Scrutiny Board would examine the report in detail and feedback any comments to the NAO. The Assembly will also be working with the Government's regional office to monitor the Improvement Plan. For more details contact Hannah Howe on 01924 331585, email hannah.howe@yhassembly.gov.uk