Memorandum submitted by One NorthEast
(COA 54)
You may be aware that the Committee is carrying
out an inquiry into the regeneration of the coalfield communities.
I enclose the terms of reference. Many of the submissions which
we have received have commented on the effectiveness of the RDAs
in tackling the needs of the coalfield areas. A number raise concerns
that One North East's economic strategy did not set out an effective
programme to address the coalfields in the region identifying
the need for special funding there.
To help the Committee draw its conclusions from
this inquiry, we would like to know how One North East is tackling
the particular needs of the coalfield areas. I would be grateful
if you would write back by 10 November.
David Clelland MP
Chairman of the Inquiry
24 October 2003
Thank you for your letter of 24 October. We
are happy to clarify our position in regard to the regeneration
of coalfield communities. The Regional Economic Strategy, in both
its original and revised versions, has explicitly recognised the
needs of coalfield communities. I have attached as Annex A
the relevant extracts from the two versions of the Regional Economic
Strategy. As you will see, these clearly state the priority needs
of the coalfields regions.
Furthermore, through the Policy Implementation
Frameworks for the Regional Economic Strategy, the Agency has
identified the specific strategic frameworks for regenerating
coalfield areas and the delivery partnership which will lead the
improvements on the ground (Activity 6.1H). An extract of this
document is given as Annex B.
In addition, I have attached a document at Annex
C which outlines in more detail One NorthEast's contribution
to the renaissance of former coalfield areas. In particular, you
will note from this that the South East Northumberland/North Tyneside
Regeneration Initiative (SENNTRi) was developed by One NorthEast
and local partners to address significant job losses in the area
and has special focus on linking former coalfield communities
with new opportunities and employment. The Government Office and
One NorthEast have recently agreed that this is a strategic area
for the allocation of Objective 2 funding.
Other examples of activity in which we are participating
to address the specific needs of coalfields communities include:—
— The Westoe Urban Village, which is
being developed on the site of the former Westoe Colliery—this
is a major housing project, which also includes the construction
of a new school, a community resource centre, retail facilities
and workspace which are to be managed by a Community Development
Trust. As such, it is exactly the kind of sustainable mixed-used
development which Government recommends.
— The Rainton Bridge Business Park—a
37 hectare site, which, when completed, will support over 4,000
jobs in the Sunderland coalfield area. This is being partly delivered
using Single Programme resources.
I hope that this helps to answer your queries.
Please let me know if you would like any further information.
Mr A Clarke
Chief Executive
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