Contact: Peter Robertson, ext 7300, e-mail address: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The Regional Emphasis Document (RED) has been approved by SEERA, SEEDA and GOSE. It will inform the Government's 2004 Spending Review. The purpose of this report is to provide the Cabinet with the opportunity to consider and comment on the Regional Emphasis Document.

2 Introduction

2.1 Members will be aware that in preparation for the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review, regions were tasked by the Treasury with preparing Regional Emphasis Documents (REDs). These were to be submitted by Christmas by the Assembly, RDA and Government Office working together, and to set down current thinking as to how Government resources might be deployed more `smartly' to achieve, principally, competitiveness goals. The Treasury has stressed that there is no new money for the years under consideration by the spending review (2006-07 and 2007-08) and that any money that is available will be targeted to achieve maximum gain in line with Government priorities.

2.2 The approved version of the RED is attached. This follows considerable input from a wide range of organisations.

2.3 The document has been cleared by all three regional partners - SEERA/SEEDA/GOSE.

2.4 Initial feedback from HM Treasury on the final draft has been positive, in particular that the brief has been adhered to and that it tells a clear story for the region. There are, however, one or two points of contention that need to be borne in mind, particularly the proposal for a Regional Transport Board which may not command universal support amongst constituent authorities.

2.5 There is no opportunity now to change the RED but the Cabinet needs to be aware of the proposals contained within it. The RED is a potentially powerful tool in discussions with Government over future resource allocation and as such is broadly to be welcomed and commended.

3 Recommendation

To consider and comment on the RED.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

None.

N.B. The list excludes:

1. Published works.

2. Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.