18 January 2007

Below is a summary of issues discussed and decisions taken at the meeting of the Regional Executive Board on 18 January 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.

“Making a Difference’’- The Assembly Business Plan 2007-2010

Members discussed in detail the Business Plan, which sets out the Assembly activity planned over the next three years, and which is required by Government as a condition of its grant.

Matters raised by Executive Board members at their December meeting - including identifying resources issues, strengthening deliverable measurements and joining up activity across service areas - had been taken into account in producing the revised draft document.

The Business Plan, which concentrates on delivery in the Assembly’s key service areas of Transport, Planning Delivery and Conformity, Scrutiny, Housing and Communities, and Strategy Integration and Sustainable Development, along with Corporate activity, was approved by members for submission to Government by February 14 and endorsement at the full Assembly meeting on February 15. For more details contact Chris Martin on 01924 331590, email chris.martin@yhassembly.gov.uk

Comprehensive Spending Review meeting and lobbying

Details of how the Assembly is working with other partners to press Yorkshire and Humber's case for future Government spending as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review, were discussed - including meetings already held with civil servants on housing and transport issues, along with other drivers of productivity identified by the Government.

Following last month’s REB agreement that transport is the key regional issue and that any lobbying activity should be channelled towards it, members were also updated on further planned work to maximise the region’s case. This includes a planned event with regional MPs and Peers at the House of Commons in March; seeking a joint meeting between Assembly Chair Peter Box, Yorkshire Forward Chair Terry Hodgkinson and relevant ministers on how the Government might support the region’s transport activity; and drawing up a specific briefing on transport to help members and other partners better present the region’s case. In addition, a note summarising the issues arising at meetings already held with civil servants will be circulated. For more details contact Chris Martin on 01924 331590, email chris.martin@yhassembly.gov.uk

Sub National Review

This cross cutting review of the sub national delivery of economic development and regeneration is a key part of the debate about devolving decision-making and is 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).

Executive Director Sue Jeffrey explained the review will not report until after the Budget 2007 and has given the Assembly an opportunity to influence the outcome by submitting a response before the end of February. To date the Assembly has only commented on the review as part of the overall English Regions Network response.

Sue explained that various individual responses were being collated by organisations across the region and if the Assembly wanted to draw up a specific response - outlining the added value the organisation and its functions brings to regional structures and decision making - it need to have regard of those comments.

Members agreed to hold a short Executive Board meeting prior to the full Assembly meeting on February 15 to discuss and decide an appropriate response. For more details contact Sue Jeffrey on 01924 331560, email sue.jeffrey@yhassembly.gov.uk

Other Business

Baseline Evaluation Report on new Assembly structures

As part new Assembly governance structures approved at the AGM in 2006, members agreed the arrangements should be monitored and evaluated to ensure they were effective and efficient.

Anna Strongman, from consultants Arup (who are carrying out the work), gave a brief presentation to members outlining the baseline findings following a first series of interviews.

Key points to emerge included: a positive sense from members and officers that the Assembly is re-focussed and moving forward despite working in a context of uncertainty on the future of regional governance; the establishment of a Regional Executive Board and an Executive Co-ordination team is a highly positive aspect of the new structures; and the roles of the functional boards are generally clear. However, the research has indicated further work is required to strengthen the engagement of member organisations and in developing the Assembly role of added value to the region in terms of policy work and output.

A second round of interview will now take place during the Spring, with a final report available for discussion at the AGM in July.

Regional Executive Board (REB) Work Programme 2007/8

Members briefly discussed submitted comments from partners on the development of the REB work programme, which covers five top priorities - developing the Integrated Regional Framework; Regional Leadership and Communication; Lobbying and Working with Government and others; co-ordinating, overseeing and monitoring the Assembly’s functional boards; and Policy and Strategy development and endorsement.

Following the responses members agreed to some amendments - focussing particularly on developing the plan alongside emerging city region issues - to help integrate it as part of the overall Business Plan and budget. For more details contact Sue Jeffrey on 01924 331560, email sue.jeffrey@yhassembly.gov.uk

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