Supplementary memorandum submitted by
the English Regional Network
The English Regions Network (ERN) is the umbrella
body for the English Regional Assemblies and the North West Leaders
Forum. ERN welcomes the opportunity to comment upon the Government's
announcement on SNR and:
— Supports the Government's move to
increase democratic accountability in the development of the SRS
than was previously proposed;
— Welcomes the Single Regional Strategy
(SRS) as a way of ensuring joined up policy making at a regional
level;
— Agrees with the partnership approach
the government has favoured between RDAs and local authorities
working together regionally;
— Welcomes the flexibility for each
region to decide upon the make-up of its Leaders Board and the
exact content of its SRS;
— Stresses however that government
should not intervene in the development of new Local Authority
Leaders Boards;
— Agrees with the need for strong engagement
with stakeholders within the development of the SRS;
— Points out that both local authority
leaders Boards and RDAs will enjoy a wider policy remit than currently
the case if the SRS is to be a truly joint document;
— Highlights that there are already
a number of examples of Regional Assemblies and RDAs working closely
together on joint evidence bases, and implementation plans and
strategy development;
— Proposes that, although the new SNR
proposals remove a scrutiny role for Leaders Board as it will
be heavily involved in the development of the SRS, there would
be merit in the larger local government family having a `holding
to account' role with regards the SRS development and implementation.
— Emphasizes the key skills and expertise
of the staff currently working in Assemblies, and welcomes the
Government's view that these should be utilized to the fullest
extent in new arrangements.
January 2009
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