Memorandum from Nic Dakin, Principal, John Leggott College, Scunthorpe (YH 10)

 

 

 

I believe that Yorkshire Forward has established itself as a leading champion of the Region's concerns and issues. Yorkshire Forward has been able to influence national government to be more responsive to the needs of the Region in a way that also benefits UK plc. Yorkshire Forward has also been well positioned to influence other key players within the Region to work together for the benefit of the people of the Region.

 

It is difficult for me - as the Principal of a Sixth Form College in the Humber - not to compare the effectiveness of the RDA with that of the LSC. Whilst the LSC has been hampered in its freedom to deliver for the Region, as it is the regional arm of a national unaccountable quango, the RDA has been free to shout up for the Region and help to capture and shape the Region's agenda.

 

Nothing better illustrates the effectiveness of Yorkshire Forward than its ability to respond in a rapid, focused way to economic and natural crises. Good examples include the Selby Coalfields, Foot and Mouth, and - more recently - floods. Because Yorkshire Forward is on the ground, knows its region and is well networked across the region it has been best placed to act decisively and quickly mitigate these problems in a way that our slow moving, distant, national government is unable to. Yorkshire Forward more easily cuts through bureaucracy and makes things happen.

 

Another area of clear leadership is Yorkshire Forward's role in promoting a low-carbon economy. This was embraced and championed by Yorkshire Forward ahead of national policy and has not only put the region in the vanguard of this initiative but directly influenced national policy.

 

Throughout its history, the role and responsibilities of Yorkshire Forward have been ever changing. This means its people are continuously challenged and changing. At different times with new responsibilities the organisation has absorbed new people and duties to different effectiveness. It has never been unwilling to raise to the challenges set by central government. And it is clear in its need to be relevant to business yet able to work in partnership with local authorities and the voluntary and community sector. These are big asks that it does its best to answer well. The RES has not always been easy for partners to assimilate or appreciate their role in delivering but it has always been crafted in a way to draw on the ideas, expertise and enthusiasm of partners and the people of the Region. As such, Yorkshire Forward is very well placed to be trusted and able to lead the delivery of a regional integrated strategy.

 

Capacity and expertise are elastic commodities within the RDA and it will need to continue to work hard itself and with others to deliver for the Region.

 

 

 

14^th May 2009