East Midlands Development Agency and the Regional Economic Strategy - East Midlands Regional Committee Contents


Memorandum from the Environment Agency (EM 29)

SUMMARY

  The Environment Agency welcomes the opportunity to respond to the East Midlands Regional Select Committee's first inquiry on the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the delivery of the Regional Economic Strategy (RES).

The Environment Agency is a key partner in the delivery of sustainable development. We have worked with emda over a number of years on individual projects, strategies and plans which have contributed positively to the development of the region, whilst protecting and enhancing the environment.

The changes to regional governance proposed by the Local Democracy Economic Development and Construction Bill provide a new opportunity to put sustainable development at the heart of regional planning, decision-making and subsequent delivery.

  Our key points are as follows:

    —  The effective engagement of partners in preparing and agreeing the new Regional Strategy will be crucial to its delivery and effectiveness. This will require specific mechanisms for engagement.

    —  With an expanded remit, emda will need to increase its capacity, skills and resources. For example to ensure expertise in spatial planning, within the context of sustainable development.

    —  It is vital that emda uses the expertise, skills and data of regional partners in its work to deliver a sustainable region and a low carbon economy, more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

1. INTRODUCTION

  1.1 The Environment Agency is the leading public organisation for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales. We work across all levels of government, with staff at national, regional and local level. We welcome the opportunity to respond to this inquiry on the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the Regional Economic Strategy (RES).

1.2 Our response is informed by our work at a regional level and our involvement as a partner or statutory consultee in the preparation of the Regional Economic Strategy, Regional Spatial Strategy, and Strategic Environmental Assessments. It is also informed by our work with partners to embed sustainable development within regional and local strategies and plans. Our comments are grouped under the main areas addressed by the inquiry.

2. THE CHANGES TO REGIONAL POLICY PROPOSED IN THE LOCAL DEMOCRACY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION BILL AND THE POTENTIAL EFFECT ON THE WORK OF EMDA

  2. 1 The changes to regional governance proposed by the Local Democracy Economic Development and Construction Bill provide an opportunity to ensure that sustainable development is placed at the heart of regional planning, decision-making and subsequent delivery. The reforms should facilitate a much needed shift to sustainable economic development, that takes environmental issues fully into account ultimately leading to a more resource efficient and lower carbon economy.

2.3 Alongside the Regional Leaders Board of local authorities, emda will lead the development of a new Regional Strategy, which will for the first time integrate regional planning and the economic strategy. The Strategy will play an important role in setting national policies within the regional context, identifying critical infrastructure needs and measures to protect the environment.

  2.4 emda's role, and that of all RDAs, will include facilitating and helping to unlock funds for flood defence schemes, allowing resilient development to take place which would not otherwise be possible. To develop and implement the Regional Strategy emda will need to work closely with regional partners and facilitate a framework for evidence gathering and policy making.

  2.5 Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) must have the necessary capacity, skills and resources to discharge their new responsibilities fully. Expertise and champions for spatial planning, within the context of sustainable development, must be established at a Board and technical level. RDAs must also have access to expertise on key environmental issues including climate change. This should include working closely with partners with specific knowledge, skills and data such as the Environment Agency.

  2.6 The Environment Agency has been working with the environment sector in the Region to develop the structures needed to facilitate partners' involvement in the development of the new Regional Strategy. We are also working with the Government Office and regional partners to commission a report to look at embedding sustainable development into the new Regional Strategy. We will work closely with emda and other partners to consider and implement the recommendations of this report.

3. THE ROLE OF OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SUCH AS THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE FOR THE EAST MIDLANDS, AND OF PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AGEBNCIES, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, IN DELIVERING THE AIMS OF THE REGIONAL ECONOMIC STRATEGY (RES)

  3.1 The Environment Agency believes that it is the responsibility of all partners in the region, not just emda, to input into the RES and to deliver the actions which fall within the partners' remit.

3.2 We worked closely with emda and others in developing sections of the evidence base which underpins the current RES. We were also involved in helping to develop the implementation plan for the RES and have incorporated appropriate actions into our business plans and strategies, which are currently being delivered.

4. HOW WELL EMDA IS PERFORMING ON SUSTAINABILITY

  4.1 Embedding the three pillars of sustainable development right across the work of any RDA is a challenge. This challenge has increased as a result of the changes begun by the Sub-National Review. The fragmentation of regional structures has left the East Midlands as the only region without a functioning sustainable development champion body. emda's performance on sustainability should be seen within this context.

4.2 It has sometimes been difficult for emda to demonstrate that their work gives due attention to environmental sustainability. However, the Environment Agency is optimistic about the future leadership of sustainable development in the region. emda's recent creation of a new Sustainable Development and Infrastructure Director post, should provide a real focus for sustainable development in the organisation and the region as a whole. This will be particularly important as the region delivers its change management plan.

  4.3 The Environment Agency believes that the changes to regional policy and structures are an opportunity to ensure that sustainable development is placed at the heart of the work of emda and other regional bodies. There is an important role for emda, alongside the Leaders Board, to show leadership on sustainable development and to facilitate the supporting structures and partnership working.

  4.4 The response to the economic downturn and measures to promote an economic stimulus should also be consistent with the principles of sustainability. To ensure the economy of the region is best placed to come out of a recession in a stronger and healthy position, it is crucial that new technologies are embraced and opportunities for businesses to change and diversify identified.

  4.5 There is a real opportunity for the region, in partnership with emda, to focus on emerging "green" and sustainable technologies. Many of these technologies can utilise transferable skills from more traditional manufacturing industries that may currently be in decline. If this opportunity is embraced, the regional economy is likely to recover more quickly, be more diverse, more resource efficient, lower carbon and more sustainable in the longer term. This type of economic change can only become a reality if emda works in partnership with businesses and other partners.

  4.6 Supporting businesses, especially SMEs, by delivering effective and appropriate advice will also be key to economic recovery. All businesses can benefit from becoming more resource efficient. This will help with their sustainability, but can also add to their bottom line and viability during difficult economic conditions. The Environment Agency is well placed to play a part in providing appropriate business advice in partnership with emda and other bodies in the region

  4.7 Providing leadership on climate change is a shared responsibility. Regional bodies such as emda, the Government Office and the Environment Agency have a significant role, as do local authorities. The Environment Agency is currently facilitating a meeting between regional bodies to ensure that there is robust leadership and governance around East Midlands' Climate Change Programme of Action to ensure strong ongoing progress on the ground.

  4.8 We welcome emda's involvement in the Lincolnshire Coastal Study which will determine how development is taken forward on the Lincolnshire Coast.

5. CONCLUSION

  5.1 We look forward to a closer working relationship with emda as its role develops. We believe it is the responsibility of all regional bodies and partners to work positively with emda and the regional Leaders Board to help prepare a sustainable Regional Strategy.

5.2 It is vital that mechanisms are developed to enable effective involvement of a wide range of partners in the work of emda. Partners should be able to contribute their skills, experience and data, working with emda to ensure a successful transition to a sustainable Regional Strategy and subsequent delivery.





 
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