Memorandum by the North West Regional
Assembly (UWP 53)
PROPOSED URBAN WHITE PAPER
1. INTRODUCTION
AND CONTEXT
This paper forms the response of the North West
Regional Assembly to the request of the Environment, Transport
and Regional Affairs of the House of Commons to submit memoranda
into the provisions to be contained within the proposed Urban
White Paper.
The members of the Regional Assembly have endorsed
the views and recommendations to be submitted. As a regional body,
working on behalf of all sectors within the North West and with
responsibility for the development of Regional Planning Guidance
it is proposed that a series of observations will be provided
for each of the specific sections as identified in the initial
correspondence. The format of this paper for clarity and consistency
will map the issues as identified by the Committee.
2. REGIONAL PRIORITIES
The North West Regional Assembly is committed
to its role of co-ordinating the preparation, implementation,
monitoring and review of regional strategies to address the needs
of the region and reflect the Assembly's aims and priorities.
Within the region, there is an established list of eight key priorities,
which include:
— Build regional competitiveness by
improving skills, management ability, education and training.
— Growth and diversification through
both inward and indigenous investment.
— Building the framework of an Information
Society.
— Support to key sectors.
— Improving the region's infrastructure
and environment.
— Regenerating communities; and
— Regional implementation strategy.
2.1 KEY OBJECTIVES
2000
In relation to these regional priorities a series
of objectives have been devised to assist in the achievement of
a robust regional economy.
— Through lobbying executive agencies
at national and EU level the North West Regional Assembly will
seek to secure additional resources for the North West so that
it becomes increasingly competitive region, by improving upon
its skills, training and management ability, and by supporting
the stimulation of investment in targeted high growth sectors.
— Through the scrutiny of key regional
bodies and dialogue with UK Government and EU Institutions the
Assembly will ensure through working in partnership with the NWDA
and GONW that new industrial growth and diversification through
both inward and indigenous investment accurately reflect regional
priorities.
— Through joint working with regional
stakeholders—such as the HE sector—Assembly will support
programmes and policies designed to create an improved capacity
for knowledge, to stimulate and develop high-value products, applications
and services.
— Through advocacy, co-operation and
influence the Assembly will promote better strategic communications,
through support for building information and communications technology
capabilities; developing the West Coast Main Line and improving
East/West and Sea and Air Links.
— Through its stewardship of the Regional
Planning Guidance process the Assembly will seek agreement to
a high quality environment for the North West, by enhancing the
region's built and environmental assets and regenerating derelict
areas, with the emphasis on sustainability.
— In addition, through scrutiny of
the NWDA and other regional bodies the Assembly will promote regenerated
and revitalised urban and rural communities through a combination
of economic development and investment in housing, health and
social inclusion.
— The Assembly will play a leading
role in support for the new North West Cultural Consortium so
as to ensure a strong regional infrastructure and good quality
sport, leisure, arts and cultural facilities.
— A key role for the Assembly will
be to ensure that equal access to learning, employment, housing
and services are available for everyone in the region.
— The Assembly will develop a shared
identity for "North West England" together with NWDA
and GONW. In addition, the Assembly will work co-operatively with
other English regions to make the case for increased regional
autonomy.
— The Assembly will play a leading
role in the formation and development of a North West Constitutional
Convention and seek to incorporate the outcomes from that body
and its work into European, national, regional and local all party
political policies and programmes.
In light of these regional priorities the next
section of this paper details the response of the Assembly to
the request for views on the proposed Urban White Paper, and in
particular comments upon the content of the Final Report of the
Urban Task Force which will be used as a benchmark for the policy
components of the paper.
3. PROPOSALS
FOR CONSIDERATION
Overview
The Region has a number of defined priorities
as previously identified. These priorities have been developed
in response to the socio-economic position of the area as identified
by a range of key partners from a variety of sectors. In order
to ensure the effective implementation of these priorities, and
to enable the North West in becoming a leading economic force,
complementarity of issues is required with the proposed Urban
White Paper.
In reading the Rogers report it is quite apparent
that the emphasis of the document is primarily on the direction
and design of physical development. Although we agree with some
of the issues which are documented, we would like to clarify the
need for integrated solution to area renewal. This regeneration
process needs to be multi-faceted with due regard given to all
components which have contributed to the decline of an area, and
which more importantly are part of the solution. In this respect
we are referring not only to physical design and development but
further considerations of economic, social and environmental enhancement,
with particular reference to the integrated components of social
inclusion. The following sub-sections highlight the priorities
for implementation as viewed by the Regional Assembly.
Regional Governance
The Assembly welcomes the reference made to
the importance of regional bodies in urban renaissance. However,
in the context of translating national policy objectives of individual
government departments into coherent economic development strategies,
we would state that the policies need to move closer towards the
establishment of regional policy objectives which are delivered
locally rather than a pure translation from national objectives
to regional action.
The Urban Task Force report gives particular
reference to the ongoing pivotal role and function of Local Authorities,
a view which is supported. However, one area which it is felt
could have been relayed and supported further is the contribution
of the private sector, both as independents and as key players
in public/private sector partnerships.
The partnership of regional agencies operating
in the North West is well positioned, and has undertaken to identify
regional issues. Through the Assembly a consensus has been reached
on current and emerging issues and at 20 year response through
an action plan and regional implementation strategy has been developed.
As a result national guidance is welcomed, but as the document
states "there is a need to ensure that services which are
provided are those which people themselves need to prioritise".
We take the view that this recommendation could most effectively
be achieved under direction and implementation at the local level.
Policy Integration
The Assembly regards the need for increased
synergy between central government departments and related policies
to be a key priority. The need for government departments and
institutions to combine policies, powers and resources to achieve
an integrated approach to meet the needs of each of the diverse
regions and their individual communities is a welcomed approach
to achieving sustainable urban solutions.
The regeneration of areas suffering from low
demand and social decline should be done in a holistic way. Such
an approach should be a multi agency co-ordinated approach, which
seeks to address housing, employment, health, environmental, educational,
crime, social and community issues. Adequate funding needs to
be made available to ensure that schemes have enough critical
mass to be self sustaining beyond the end of the funding regime
and that a large enough area is being tackled to ensure comprehensive
regeneration and not just isolated "pepper potting"
approach.
Within the regions, co-ordinated strategic development
is currently ongoing with key regional partners through the development
of both the regional strategies and the Regional Planning Guidance.
There is a requirement for this integration to be undertaken at
a national level and as a result the intention to prioritise the
breakdown of central government departmentalism, and the promotion
of integrated policies and programmes to be delivered via the
regional structures is welcomed.
Future Housing Demand
The housing debate has been pre-occupied with
issues relating to demand for increased housing arising from population
growth and increased household formation. Within the North West
there is increasing evidence and concern regarding low and changing
demand. Alongside high levels of housing need, there is evidence
that the demand for properties in some parts of towns and cities
is very low.
The planning framework nationally is often felt
to be determined by the requirements of the situation in the South-east
and London, and the impacts of the national economy and treasury
revenues.
There is a tension between the need to accommodate
household growth, stem out migration from the region and promote
economic growth. This means that the very areas where we seek
to promote urban regeneration and stabilise population are the
same areas where demand is low for housing, and where the potential
is greatest for new development on brownfield sites. This is recognised
by a range of professional bodies, however, at this particular
juncture no national, regional or sub-regional long term solutions
have been proven successful. There is a requirement for a clear
policy statement to address this issue. Any future responses to
this issue should avoid simply displacing the problem from one
locality to another and should involve a combination of refurbishment,
clearance and new build.
Policies for Greenfield development and Brownfield
Sites
Local planning authorities should set out clear
phasing policies in development plans to ensure that a sequential
approach is followed in locating new development with an emphasis
on the development of brownfield sites in sustainable locations,
in some instances this will mean that local planning authorities
will need to reconsider in the review of development plans whether
individual greenfield allocations are still appropriate. However
it must be recognised that in some localities there is not a large
supply of brownfield sites which can be sustainably developed,
therefore in such areas there will still be a need to develop
on greenfield sites.
Local planning authorities can have a positive
impact on the urban regeneration of areas by promoting appropriate
forms of development including a mixture of use, tenures, types
of development and densities. However any new development must
be in relation to design, form and quality with surrounding areas
in order to promote integration.
Policies for Town and Suburbs
In seeking to undertake successful urban regeneration
there must be recognition that the quality of the environment
is an important component in the quality of life of existing and
potential residents. There must not be a headlong rush into "town
cramming" with high-density development, which does not respect
the existing historic and environmental fabric of an area. Opportunities
should be taken to improve the quality and extent of open space
provision.
The government should actively consider fiscal
measures which could aid urban regeneration such as ring fenced
greenfield levies which are then ploughed back into assisting
urban regeneration in partnership with the private sector, within
the context of the EU rules on State Aid.
The Urban Task Force recommendation on harmonising
VAT rates at zero rates in respect of new building, and conversions
and refurbishment's is supported. If harmonisation can only be
achieved at a 5 per cent rate, then a significant part of the
proceeds should be reinvested in urban regeneration. The Urban
Task Force recommendations on empty homes and council tax are
also supported.
Added Value of Proposed White Paper
The proposed White Paper will describe the Governments
policies to improve the quality of life in towns and cities. The
aim is to take into account a range of policies, which will directly
impact upon enabling communities to reach their full potential.
The Government has indicated that the recommendations of the Task
Force will be taken forward in the Urban White Paper.
The added value, which the White Paper can provide,
will be in the co-ordination and integration of existing government
policies and programmes. In addition, recognition that the most
effective mechanism to tackle deprivation within towns and cities
is to direct the response via the local and regional agencies
on the ground.
The increase in autonomy of local and regional
bodies to directly respond to these challenges through an enhanced
regional administrative body away from national government control
would be recommended.
Further Related Matters
Throughout the Urban Task Force report reference
is made to the formation of a range of new bodies and agencies
to drive the recommendations forward.
The creation of Urban Priority Areas and Regional
Resource Centres alongside Urban Regeneration Companies, as suggested,
may initially be perceived as a desired solution to address the
decline in many of the urban areas. A note of caution may be given
to what may be perceived as an additional tier of bureaucracy
and administration which could have a greater negative rather
than positive impact. It may be regarded that the proposed situation
is creating a sense of deja-vu, whereby previously a number of
agencies were created to champion specific policies, which have
now, as part of the regional policy recommendations been submerged
into one strategic regional delivery mechanism. In pursuing these
recommendations further consideration will need to be given as
a matter of urgency to the relationship of these proposed bodies
to the existing national, regional and local structures to avoid
duplication of resources and emphasis.
Further consideration needs to be given to the
proposed Rural White Paper, which is due later this year. There
is a requirement for a co-ordinated and complementary approach
to be taken in the formulation of both of these papers. There
will be a range of issues such as social inclusion, which are
generic in nature irrespective of the geographical focus. Therefore,
an urgent request is being made for these papers to be duly accountable,
inter-linking and produced in tandem.
4. CONCLUDING
REMARKS
The Assembly welcomes the emergence of the first
Urban White Paper in over 20 years.
It is anticipated that the paper will provide
a national framework to ensure the effective and co-ordinated
implementation of a range of policies and programmes to address
the issue of urban decline, which has been manifesting itself
in our towns and cities for decades.
This national framework will need to be flexible
and responsive to the range of needs and priorities as already
established and agreed within the English regions. To ensure the
effective implementation of the recommendations of the White Paper
preference needs to be given to regional structures, who will
ensure, as part of their remit to increase regional competitiveness,
a strive towards the creation of revitalised and sustainable regional
economies.
January 2000
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