Archived decisions

Contact: John Rees-Evans, Head of Economic Development

Ext no 6381, email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 On the 31^st March, the Government published its consultation:-

"Prosperous Places. Taking Forward the Review of the Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration"

The Consultation is based on a review originally published by HM Treasury on 17^th July 2007.

The present consultation (closing date 20^th June) has been published jointly by two Government Departments: DCLG and DBERR.

They are seeking, in summary, views on proposals for:-

· a new, integrated regional strategy

· the replacement of voluntary Regional Assemblies with a locally determined "Leaders Forum" for elected Local Authority Leaders and the transfer of responsibilities for spatial and transport planning to the Regional Development Agencies

· the introduction of a new statutory economic assessment duty for upper tier and Unitary Local Authorities.

1.2 The report attached is made up of three parts: a discussion paper on the proposals (Appendix 1), a draft response for the Leader to send to Government setting out the Council's views (Appendix 2) and a series of proposed answers to the questions posed in the consultation (Appendix 3).

1.3 Since the deadline for the response was the 20^th June, the Leader has already sent a preliminary response to Government, based on the documents attached.

1.4. The following decisions were made:

(a) That Cabinet welcomes the move to an integrated regional strategy but strongly believes that this should be the responsibility of democratically elected representatives

(b) That Cabinet supports the setting up of a Leaders' Forum for the region

(c) That Cabinet welcomes the strong support given by the Sub National Review to the role of Local Authorities in helping shape their local economy and supports the proposal to establish a statutory duty for Local Authorities and particularly upper tier Authorities to undertake an economic assessment of their areas

(d) That Cabinet authorises the response from the Council to be based on the proposed letter from the Leader in Appendix 2 and the responses to the questions set out in Appendix 3 subject to some strengthening to reflect the views expressed at the meeting.

2. Reasons

2.1 The significant changes proposed in the consultation and especially the proposal to abolish Regional Assemblies and pass their role to unelected Regional Development Agencies require a robust response from the Council. The Council plays a significant role in the economic, social and environmental prosperity of Hampshire and believes this should be fully acknowledged in the implementation of the Review.

3. Other options considered and rejected

3.1 These are considered in more detail in the discussion document attached. However, to accept the transfer of power to Regional Development Agencies would not properly reflect the Council's wish to see more democratic accountability in the planning process.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted - none.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE - Chairman