Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration

12.61 In July 2007, as part of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, the Government endorsed the recommendations of the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration. This review was jointly led by HM Treasury, and the departments for Communities and Local Government (CLG) and Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR).

12.62 The Sub-National Review (or SNR) outlined the Government's plans to encourage economic growth and tackle deprivation by refocussing both powers and responsibilities within each region.

12.63 The main recommendations of the review were:

  • clearer objectives and responsibilities from central Government departments to provide more effective support and better coordination for economic development and neighbourhood renewal at all spatial levels;
  • a streamlining of the regional tier outside London, based on more effective and accountable RDAs, which would be responsible, working closely with local authorities, for preparing a Single Regional Strategy for each region;
  • empowering of all local authorities, allowing them greater flexibility, stronger partnership working and cooperation from other agencies, and offering them better incentives;
  • giving local authorities responsibility for scrutinising the RDA; and undertaking economic assessments for their areas, and
  • supporting local authorities in all areas to work together more effectively across administrative boundaries, where they so wish, for example through Multi Area Agreements (MAAs).

12.64 For the South West, the most immediate changes that would be brought about by an implementation of the SNR would be a transfer of executive powers for regional strategies from SWRA to SWRDA. However, much of this will require further legislation before it can take effect. The SWRA is not expected to continue in its current form after 2010, although a regional forum of local authorities may be necessary to co-ordinate the new scrutiny role and sign off the single regional strategy. Consultation on the implementation of the SNR is continuing, and it is likely that the full results of this will be published in summer 2008.

12.65 For further information on the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration, see the HM Treasury website.

12.66 In December 2007, CLG and BERR published the document Taking forward the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration, which can be found on the CLG website.