The current form and function of the Regional Assemblies

Voluntary, multi-party and inclusive Regional Assemblies have been established in each of the eight English regions outside London, building on the partnership working arrangements that already existed in some regions between local authorities and regional partners. Assemblies operate within the same boundaries of the Government Offices in the regions and the RDAs. Their constitutions vary from region to region.

Regional Assemblies have four main roles.

They have been designated under the provisions of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 as the body a Regional Development Agency (RDA) must consult in the preparation of its regional economic strategy.

They have similarly been designated in accordance with the provisions of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (PCPA) as the body the Secretary of State recognises as the Regional Planning Body (RPB) for the region with a duty to prepare the regional spatial strategy which includes the regional transport strategy and the regional waste strategy.

They also have a role as the voice of the region and can prepare regional strategies such as regional sustainable development frameworks (RSDFs), taking the lead role in some regions. Further details can be found on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs web site.

Following recommendations made by Kate Barker in her 'Review of Housing Supply' 2004, by September 2006, all Regional Assemblies had accepted Ministers' invitation to take responsibility for the work of the Regional Housing Boards and thereby build on the synergies of their work as Regional Planning Bodies.

Regional Assemblies are bodies of their regions and the Government takes the view that parties involved must be able to agree arrangements that they believe best reflect the particular circumstances of their region: it does not impose a uniform rigid framework for the form of each Assembly.

Who do the Assemblies represent?

Each Assembly strives to be representative of the region it serves. Under guidance issued by the Secretary of State, this representation comprises up to 70% local authority members, including National Park Authorities and at least 30% drawn from regional stakeholders, including higher and further education, the Confederation of British Industry, the Trades Union Congress, chambers of commerce, the small business sector, parish and town councils, the National Health Service, voluntary organisations, Learning and Skills Councils, regional cultural consortia, rural and environmental groups and other regional stakeholders.

What do Regional Assemblies do?

All Assemblies perform the same four core activities, they may also engage in other work according to regional circumstances and priorities:

Regional Planning - as Regional Planning Bodies, Assemblies are responsible for preparing statutory Regional Spatial Strategies including Regional Transport Strategies. This work involves developing, monitoring and reviewing strategic planning and transport policies. The final decisions rest with the Secretary of State
Regional Housing - they are responsible for taking an overview of the housing markets in their regions, for producing the Regional Housing Strategies (Regional strategies) and for advising Ministers on the distribution of resources to support the new supply of affordable housing (delivered through the Housing Corporation) improvements to existing stock (through support to local housing authorities), and the refurbishment and new provision of sites for Gypsies and Travellers.
Advocacy and Policy Development - representing the voices of regions to Whitehall and European institutions. Assemblies provide a strategic focus for integrating regional strategy development and partnership working
Scrutinising the work of Regional Development Agencies. Some Assemblies also scrutinise other public sector bodies

Do Regional Assemblies work with other bodies?

Partnership working is at the centre of Regional Assembly activities. In each region the Assembly has established a network of working arrangements involving the full spectrum of local authority, social, economic and environmental partners.

English Regions Network

The English Regions Network is the umbrella organisation for the Regional Assemblies. The current ERN chair is Councillor Keith Mitchell, Chairman of South East England Regional Assembly. The ERN can be contacted at:
c/o West Midlands Regional Assembly
Regional Partnership Centre
3rd Floor, Albert House
Quay Place
92-93 Edward Street
Birmingham B1 2RA

or email Kerry Somerset, Secretary to the ERN - k.somerset@ern.gov.uk

The role of the ERN is:

To represent the collective view of Regional Assemblies to Government and other key institutions
To encourage new thinking and research on the regional agenda
To share best practice and facilitate inter regional networking amongst Assemblies

Regional Assembly Grant Support

When first designated Regional Assemblies were reliant for funding on subscriptions/contributions from local government and regional stakeholders. From 2001 the Government provided funding to enhance Assemblies' role of scrutinising the RDAs and to strengthen regional accountability. Further grant became payable when assemblies assumed their Regional Planning Body responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Regional Housing Boards. Assemblies may continue to receive financial support from local authorities or other bodies to support their work.

Past and current grants are as follows:

		£	£	£	£	£
	2001-02	200203	200304	200405	2005-06	2006-07
North East	500,000	600,000	1,408,000	1,708,000	1,708,000	1,899,000
North West	500.000	600,000	1,837,000	2536,000	2,536,000	2,637,000
Yorkshire and the Humber	500,000	600,000	1,655,000	1,923,000	1,923,000	2,064,000
West Midlands	500,000	600,000	1,671,000	2,071,000	2,071,000	2,218,210
East Midlands	500,000	600,000	1,631,000	2,056,000	2,056,000	2,197,000
East	500,000	600,000	1,874,000	2,112,000	2,112,000	2,353,000
South East	500,000	600,000	2,186,000	3,280,000	3,280,000	3,381,000
South West	500,000	600,000	1,613,000	2,101,000	2,101,000	2,289,500
English Regions Network	1000,000	200,000	200,000	200,000	200,000	240,000

Total (£)	5,000,000	5,000,000	14,075,000	17,987,000	17,987,000	19,278,710

Grant was increased in 2003/2004 in acknowledgment of Regional Assemblies additional responsibilities as the Regional Planning Bodies.

Elected Regional Assemblies
A referendum on a proposal to establish an Elected Regional Assembly in the North East Region was turned down by the North East electorate on 4 November 2004. For further details about Elected Regional Assemblies; and the Deputy Prime Minister's statement to Parliament following the North East Referendum Regional strategiess below:

North East Referendum

Deputy Prime Minister's Statement to Parliament