New regional arrangements

The government today announced new proposals for developing regional arrangements. The announcement, part of the Review of Sub-national Economic Development and Regeneration outlines plans to refocus powers and responsibilities to support devolved decision making.

Chair of the Assembly Peter Box said: “This is about the region’s future and I welcome government plans to strengthen regional accountability and give new powers to councils to ensure the region continues to grow and prosper.

“Local councils working together and with partners are best placed to tackle the big challenges we face – providing more affordable homes, slowing climate change, and working to remove inequalities. Councils have come together in the Assembly because they want to make a difference to these things, not because they have to. They know that co-operating at regional level is a very effective way of delivering real change.

“This new challenge will enable us to work closely with our Regional Minister Caroline Flint and other regional agencies to ensure we develop robust regional arrangements.

“As we develop these new arrangements, the Assembly will continue to deliver our core work - funding the development of new housing, ensuring we have an effective regional plan, identifying transport priorities, helping to develop new policies to tackle climate change and continuing to oversee the delivery of the Regional Economic Strategy.

“What’s most important is that action is taken by the right people and organisations at the right level to deliver the best deal for the people of Yorkshire and Humber and I know we will continue to work together to ensure that happens.’’

Deputy Chair Paul Jagger, who Chairs the Assembly’s Social, Economic and Environmental (SEE) partners group, added:

“One of the key reasons this region is a growing success is the real partnership approach we’ve adopted - whether we are from local government or another section of civil society, such as business, education or the voluntary and community sector.

“This has enhanced decision-making and ensured we have a clear way to agree priorities for action in the region, on issues such as regional spending and improvements to the region’s transport system.

“I hope under these new arrangements local government will continue to work closely with partners and I am looking forward to contributing to their development.’’

You can read the government's news release from this link: http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1002882&PressNoticeID=2462