Sarah Ayres & Ian Stafford

School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, UK

The View from Whitehall

Regional Studies Association Working Group, 19 th June 2008 http://www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/regionalism/default.shtml

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Introduction

• In July 2007 the Government published its ‘Review of Sub-national economic development & regeneration’ (SNR) • Drawing on interviews with senior Whitehall officials, this paper explores the rationale underpinning the proposals outlined in the SNR & assesses their implications • Research Qs: – – – What are the shortcomings of the existing regional architecture?

What motivations underpin the Government’s decision to reform regional structures? What are the implications of the SNR for regional institutions & policies?

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Shortcomings of existing regional architecture

• • • • • • • • • Central government agenda continues to dominate regional working Problems with targetry Confusion over roles & responsibilities Assemblies viewed as ineffective Too many regional strategies Misalignment RSS & RES Gap between administrative & economic boundaries No real success in meeting target to reduce economic disparities Poor regional evidence base

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Sub-national review proposals

• • • • • • • • RDAs to be responsible for preparing a single ‘regional strategy’ Assemblies to be abolished by 2010 Local authorities (LAs) to be given new roles to promote economic development & scrutinise RDAs Stronger accountability of RDAs to central & local government - Introduction of Regional Ministers RDAs to delegate funding to LAs & sub-regional partnerships wherever possible Emphasis on Multi Area Agreements Simplification of targetry Drives to link activities of quangos to regional strategies

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Implications

• • • • • • • • • Partnerships & goodwill could be threatened No guarantee that LAs will work together - variable capacities Whitehall wants prioritisation but can LAs deliver?

Variable spatial scales could enhance complexity Will RDAs let go of funds & delivery?

Little mention of GOs Strong emphasis on productivity - social & environmental concerns potentially threatened Implementation of reforms (purposefully?) woolly Reforms significant but Whitehall commitment to decentralisation yet to be proved