Memorandum submitted by Association of
Regional Observatories
PROSPEROUS PLACES: IMPLEMENTING THE REVIEW
OF SUB-NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND REGENERATION
I am writing to you with regard to the proposals
for implementation of the Sub-national Review. I note that you
are the Chair of the Business and Enterprise Select Committee.
The Association of Regional Observatories represents
the observatories in the English regions, who work closely with
regional bodies such as Regional Development Agencies and Regional
Assemblies to create, share and disseminate the best quality regional
data and intelligence to support policy-making.
Accompanying this letter is a position paper
which represents a detailed response by the Association to the
issues raised by the consultation document "Prosperous
Places: Taking forward the Review of Sub National Economic Development
and Regeneration". This response is based on considerable
consultation with other important stakeholders such as the Local
Government Association Analysis and Research Team, Regional Development
Agencies and others, and therefore represents an attempt to address
the key questions on evidence needs resulting from the SNR. The
Association would like to draw your attention to the key recommendations
raised in the briefing paper:
A ROBUST EVIDENCE
BASE TO
UNDERPIN THE
REGIONAL STRATEGY
Consideration should be given to how best to
support a mechanism which ensures that the regional evidence base
is seen as independent, impartial and credible; the regional observatories
may be best able to fulfil that role.
AN EVIDENCE
BASE WHICH
IS COLLABORATIVELY
DEVELOPED BY
LOCAL, SUB-REGIONAL
AND REGIONAL
PARTNERS
Regional observatories may be best placed to
provide a vehicle for collaboration between stakeholders. Where
this is the case, they should be supported to meet emergent need.
AN EVIDENCE
BASE FOUNDED
ON REGIONAL
GOOD PRACTICE
Capacity to synthesise, analyse and interpret
information from a variety of sources needs to be developed; resource
efficiency would be demonstrated by further supporting and developing
the capacity and expertise of regional observatories, which would
also provide a regional resource for local authorities.
A REGIONAL STRATEGY
AND EVIDENCE
BASE WHICH
ARE EFFECTIVELY
SCRUTINISED
Regional observatories are responsible for much
good practice in this area, and this should be explored to inform
any guidance issued on monitoring the regional strategy.
As noted in the accompanying position paper,
the Association believes that its members can make a valuable
contribution to the proposed reforms to regional governance, and
would ask that, as legislation is brought forward to implement
the proposals, you would consider supporting that contribution
by ensuring a continuing role for regional observatories. If you
are able to reflect these recommendations in the legislation,
or if you would like to discuss this letter or position paper
further, I would very much welcome that.
19 September 2008
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