8 November 2007

The Regional Executive Board met at the Assembly offices on Thursday 8 November 2007. A round up from the meeting is now available below. The Agenda and Papers are available at the bottom of this page.

Sub National Review

The Government’s announcement on the initial outcomes from the Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR) has a number of implications for regional and sub-regional level working.

Whilst headlines from the review are relatively clear - including that Assemblies will not continue in “their current form’’ and a bigger role for Regional Development Agencies - the detail of how the recommendations will be implemented has yet to be developed. Consultation on these proposals is expected to be published next month.

Various meetings between the Assembly, Government Ministers, regional agencies, and other groupings of local authorities have already taken place to begin helping shape the detail of how the region wishes to work in the future, with the changes phased for an anticipated completion date of 2010.

Members raised a number of issues, including concerns over possible mixed messages from different regional agencies and the need for clear, clean structures to be created to ensure future efficient and effective regional working.

In addition they agreed the Assembly’s response and approach to SNR consultation should be underpinned by four key principles;

• A need to ensure social policy is developed collectively, with the active involvement of local authorities;
• A need to ensure the continued involvement in social, economic and environmental stakeholders in future arrangements;
• A need to clarify possible ambiguities over different scrutiny arrangements;
• A need to ensure the Assembly continues to be resourced to do its work during the transition period.

For more details contact Rob Warm on 01924 331562, email rob.warm@yhassembly.gov.uk

Yorkshire and Humber Plan (Draft RSS)- Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes

Members debated the progress in work to complete the Yorkshire and Humber Plan (draft RSS) following the Secretary of State’s published proposed changes in September.

A joint meetings of the Planning, Housing and Transport Board chairs has already taken place, along with circulation of a summary of the proposed changes to Assembly and Board members. In addition, discussions on some of the issues in the RSS took place at the Assembly’s October Policy Conference.

Members raised particular concerns over the proposed changes on a number of matters- including housing numbers and the question of whether the region’s infrastructure could cope with the proposed numbers of new homes; phasing issues on housing numbers and the removal of greenhouse gas emission targets.

Members agreed to have a fuller, detailed report presented to the full Assembly meeting on 6 December, where a formal response to the proposed changes to the draft RSS will be agreed in time to meet a Christmas deadline for submission to Government. For more details contact Richard Wood on 01924 331555, email Richard.wood@yhassembly.gov.uk

Draft Integrated Regional Framework (IRF)

Details of the final stages of preparing the Integrated Regional Framework- being drawn up to ensure regional strategies and investment work collectively to help improve delivery of regional priorities - were considered by members.

Following extensive consultation with regional stakeholders- along with the SNR announcements which mean the IRF will be an important aspect on the transition to a single regional strategy - ten key regional challenges- which will form the backbone of the framework- have been proposed.

They are sustainable transport, climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, productivity and innovation, higher level skills and education, housing markets and affordability, public health and obesity, violent crime, diversity and equality and regional growth.

Members made a number of specific comments on the document, which will be taken forward in a fuller report to be considered by the full Assembly meeting on 6 December. For more details contact Andrew Horrocks on 01924 331555

Other Business

Assembly Business Plan and Budget- Half Year Review

Details of progress against the business plan and budget were discussed by members. Key achievements noted included completion of the new Assembly governance arrangements, work on the draft RSS, IRF, housing investment work, sustainable development successes and improved communications. For more details contact Chris Martin on 01924 331591, email Chris.martin@yhassembly.gov.uk

Delivering the Climate Change Action Plan - Update

Chair of the Sustainable Development Board and Y&H Climate Change Executive Group Arthur Barker gave a brief update of progress. This included details of international, national, regional and local policy development, along with new research and improved business engagement on climate change issues. For more details contact Martyn Roberts on 01924 331577, email martyn.Roberts@yhassembly.gov.uk

SEE Partner Representation

Members heard that Neil Irving, the Regional Forum’s Assembly representative and REB member, had recently taken up a post at North Yorkshire County Council and therefore would no longer sit on the Assembly. Until a new representative was elected at the Forum’s AGM, one of the two substitute SEE partner representatives would fill his REB role.

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