Communities and Local Government

• Cities and regions
• The Sub-National Review
• Frequently asked questions on the transition to the new Sub-National Review arrangements
• Communications and other issues - frequently asked questions

Cities and regions

Communications and other issues - frequently asked questions

• How does Government intend to ensure clear and unambiguous messages are communicated to partners throughout the transition period to avoid different interpretations?
• Will Regional Assemblies be formally abolished under the proposals just announced?
• Will National Park Authorities and Town and Parish Councils have a place on the new Leaders' Boards?

How does Government intend to ensure clear and unambiguous messages are communicated to partners throughout the transition period to avoid different interpretations?

During the course of visits to the regions by the Communities and Local Government/Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) transition team, regional partners made it clear they did not want formal advice/guidance on transition as they believe this will take too much time to draft and agree. Instead, partners asked for as much early advice as possible, to enable them to get underway with planning for the transition to the new arrangements, and for further advice to be provided in tranches, as we move through the transition period. These tranches will result in a 'compendium' of advice, which regional partners felt was a more practical and useful solution than formal advice. This faq forms the first tranche of this advice and will be updated as and when necessary.

Where there are regionally specific questions and issues, Government expects regional partners to work with their Government Offices to develop solutions. It believes Government Offices are best placed to advise and broker solutions for their regions, calling on Communities and Local Government and BERR for advice and guidance when necessary. This advice can then be shared and drawn on by other regions as required.

Will Regional Assemblies be formally abolished under the proposals just announced?

Regional Assemblies are voluntary organisations and therefore it is not within the power of government to abolish them. However, Government will give the Regional Development Agency (RDA) and the Local Authority Leaders' Board joint responsibility for the regional strategy, including its drafting, implementation plan and monitoring of its delivery. As a result, the key regional planning functions of the Regional Assembly will pass to the RDA and Local Authority Leaders' Board. Other residual functions will also pass to successor bodies as required and the need for Regional Assemblies will end. We will repeal any relevant legislation and transfer any funding to successor bodies.

Will National Park Authorities and Town and Parish Councils have a place on the new Leaders' Boards?

Participating authorities in Local Authority Leaders boards will include District Councils (including Metropolitan Districts Councils), County Councils, National Parks Authorities and the Broads Authority. Town and Parish councils will be key stakeholders in developing the regional strategy and Government will require the RDA and Local Authority Leaders' Board in each region to prepare, and comply with a statement setting out how stakeholder engagement will be managed, and it will expect the interests of Town and Parish Councils to be included.