17 May 2007

Below is a summary of issues discussed and decisions taken at the meeting of the Regional Executive Board on 17 May 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.

Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS)

Head of Planning Strategy Richard Wood updated members on the RSS, which has now seen Government Office publish the Report setting out the Independent Panel’s conclusions on the issues raised at the Examination in Public of the RSS.

The publication of the Panel Report is an important step forward in getting a new statutory Regional Spatial Strategy in place. On the whole the Panel supports the spatial approach and strategy set out in the Plan. But, the suggested need for higher rates of house building from 2011 is a key change.

Government Office now has to consider the Panel report in preparing the ‘Proposed Changes’ to the RSS to be published by the Secretary of State for consultation in the summer, although it is not bound by the Panel’s recommendations.

Members expressed a number of concerns about the report, particularly over the likely increased urban housing number proposals in relation to transport and environmental issues and pressures on rural communities if housing numbers are reduced in those areas.

They agreed the next key step for the Assembly will be to gather views from members, partners and stakeholders on the Panel’s recommendations, alongside the Assembly staff team undertaking more detailed assessment of implications.

This ‘stock take’ will help prepare the ground for an Assembly response to the ‘Proposed Changes’ when they are published in the summer, by identifying key/shared concerns or support for the Panel’s recommendations. It will also help local authorities and other regional partners prepare for their responses. For more details contact Richard Wood on 01924 331555, email richard.wood@yhassembly.gov.uk

Yorkshire Gold - The Regional Strategy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Martin Havenhand, Executive Chair of the Yorkshire Committee for the 2012 Olympic Games, presented details of the strategy, which aims to maximise the benefits for the region of the games being held in the UK.

The Strategy, due to be launched on May 21, has been drawn up following extensive consultation to examine key ways in which communities and businesses in Yorkshire and Humber can make the most of the games.

In particular, it has looked at how the Olympics can add value to existing regional strategies, how facilities might best be developed and what the legacy of the games might be for the region.

It focuses on five key outcomes- Putting Sport Centrestage; Healthy and Cohesive Communities; Carnival of Culture; Enhanced Profile and Tourist Potential and Winners in Business- where the region could realistically benefit.

Members raised a numbers of issues, including how success in the region would be measured; the likely negative affect on other funding streams of money being channelled to the Olympics; the possible development of a centre of excellence in the region to support a particular Olympic sport; and how local people would be able to feel that the Olympics benefited them.

Endorsing the strategy, members requested work start on an economic analysis of how funding would be lost to the region in the run up to the games.

Other Business

Integrated Regional Framework (IRF)

Members agreed for the consultation on the IRF to run from June 1 to August 24 to allow regional partners and organisation to submit their comments. Further details will be sent to members and partners shortly. For more information contact Sian Ferguson on 01924 331555, email sian.ferguson@yhassembly.gov.uk

European Regional Development Fund

Executive Director Sue Jeffrey explained to members that following approval at the last Executive Board and Yorkshire Forward Board, the submission had been forwarded to the European Commission, which is expected to feedback in the next month. For more information contact Lyndsey Bunn on 01924 331555, email lyndsey.bunn@yhassembly.gov.uk