The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly
4 September 2008
The Regional Executive Board met on Thursday 4 September in Wakefield. You can read a round up from this meeting below. Formal minutes will be available following the next meeting of the Regional Executive Board in October. The agenda and papers are available to download at the end of this page.
Round up from the meeting
SNR/Regional Transition Arrangements
Members discussed developments on work involved in the Government’s Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR), which has a number of implications for regional and sub-regional level working.
Since the last REB meeting, Local Government Leaders and Yorkshire Forward Board had jointly submitted a response to the SNR consultation that focused on shaping the headline strategic relationship between the RDA and Local Authorities. It set out proposals for the co-ownership of the Integrated Regional Strategy process and proposed a joint Local Government/Yorkshire Forward Regional Board to oversee this work. In addition the SEE partners had separately considered and submitted their comments.
The next key milestone will be the publication of the Government’s response to the consultation, towards the end of September. This will be followed by a meeting of the LGYH/Yorkshire Forward Regional Board in October.
Following extensive discussions on the timetable for moving to new governance arrangements - including issues such as dialogue with regional partners, potential barriers to change, the need to shape a solution to suit the region’s specific needs and staffing issues - members endorsed a decision taken earlier in the day by the LGYH Leaders’ Board to recommend the next full meeting of the Assembly support a timetable to move to new governance arrangements by 1 April 2009. For more details contact Sue Jeffrey on 01924 331560, email sue.jeffrey@yhassembly.gov.uk
RSS Implementation Plan 2009/9; RSS “2009 Update’’ Progress Report
Head of Planning Strategy, Richard Wood, outlined details of two reports in relation to regional planning.
The first was work to ensure delivery of the current Yorkshire and Humber Plan through the preparation of an Implementation Action Plan (IAP), providing an overview of the strategic interventions necessary to deliver the regional outcomes identified in the plan on the ground.
It identifies who the key partners responsible for delivery are and gives an indication of the phasing, resources and funding mechanisms involved. The IAP will be used to support the investment decisions of the Regional Transport and Housing Boards. It will help feed into evidence that will assist in Regional Funding Allocation submission
The Regional Planning Board has agreed there are nine emerging draft 2008/2009 Implementation Priorities which should be the focus of additional implementation work over the next year. Following discussion by members, they endorsed the priorities, but requested that the Planning and Housing Boards also look at specific social/affordable housing issues in terms of the current economic climate.
The second issue was to update members of progress with the review of the current RSS, in view of testing out the assessment of the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit (NHPAU) that would see regional building rates rising to between 25,100 and 28,300 new homes a year from 2016.
Following an earlier steer from the Executive Board should test all possible options for accommodating future growth in the Region, a Call for Evidence document was issued for consultation in May. Over 90 responses were received allowing an early surfacing of views, ideas and suggestions on how and where future development should be accommodated. Respondents included local authorities and other public sector bodies, interest groups and charities, parish councils, developers, landowners and professional membership organisations.
The work showed more support for continuing the current RSS strategy and/or major urban expansions and less for growth areas and new settlements. A further approach of allowing more development in smaller towns has also emerged.
During September 2008 this work will be drawn together to establish different long term spatial options for each of the sub areas in the RSS. The options document will also include different levels of housing growth for the Region and form part of the testing of the NHPAU advice. To achieve wider engagement with the options consultation, members agreed to help publicise the RSS review options exercise in November and December. For more details contact Richard Wood on 01924 331555, email richard.wood@yhassembly.gov.uk
Other Business
Regional Funding Advice 2008
Executive Director Sue Jeffrey outlined progress on the Regional Funding Advice guidance launched in July with a timescale for submission of the advice to Government via Regional Minister Rosie Winterton MP by February 2009.
The work gives an opportunity for the region to provide advice to government on long term investment priorities for elements of housing, transport, housing and regeneration and economic development.
The guidance sets out indicative funding allocations up to 2018/19 of around £10 billion, enabling partners to plan strategically so that investments are targeted at regional priorities and support sustainable growth. Skills advice (but not funding) is also being integrated into the exercise, allowing Regional Skills Partnerships to play a key role in this process.
Discussion took place over a range of issues, including which body should have final regional sign-off before it was submitted to Government and the question of emphasising infrastructure as one of the key priorities. For more details contact Sue Jeffrey on 01924 331561, email sue.jeffrey@yhassembly.gov.uk
Accounts 2007-08 /Audit Report
Details of the final statement of Accounts and Audit Report were discussed and agreed by members. For more details contact Sue Jeffrey on 01924 331561, email sue.jeffrey@yhassembly.gov.uk
With reference to Agenda Item 9, RFA, click here for the link to the paper at HM Treasury.
Regional Executive Board 040908 - Minutes
Regional Executive Board 040908 - Minutes
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