REGIONAL FUNDING ADVICE 2 What’s it all about? Tyler Wakeford 16 November

Introduction The second round of RFA was launched by Government in July 2008 Views sought from the ‘Region’ on inter-related and inter- dependent public spending decisions up to 2018/19, including elements of transport, economic development, housing, regeneration and skills Submitted to Regional Minister, Ben Bradshaw, by end February 2009

What am I about to sit through? The First Regional Funding Advice Exercise. RFA2 Transport Requirements and Criteria Handling, Process and Format Existing schemes from RFA1 Challenges and Opportunities

Success of RFA1 DfT praised RFA1 SW advice as one of the best Strong emphasis on public transport schemes and supporting growth at Strategic Significant Cities and Towns Broad consensus on programme Regional Infrastructure Fund now established and national example of good practice

Greater Bristol Bus Network (now under construction)

RFA2 Transport Requirements (1) As in the first RFA exercise, regions are asked to advise the Government on making decisions on £1.014 billion: –local transport major schemes (including maintenance schemes) where direct DfT grant is sought by the local authority; and –Highways Agency investment in major schemes valued at over £5m on roads of regional significance (ie not M4 & M5).

RFA2 Transport Requirements (2) Under the RFA2 guidance, regions are also asked to advise the Government on making decisions on £1.778 billion: –local integrated transport and maintenance block funding (post 2010 – 11) – proposals as to the relative size and distribution of these budgets (including the proportions of funding to be allocated between blocks and major schemes).

Criteria for Advice Evidence based Realistic Value for Money Consistent Reflect national priorities Reflect the priorities in Multi Area Agreements

Handling, Process and Format Regions to determine their own approach Submitted to Regional Minister, Ben Bradshaw, by end Feb Format: evidence base, programmes of investment - 35 pages limit! Scenario planning expected +/- 10%

Input and Ownership ‘…advice will be more credible if it is based on a wide consensus and reflects the views of the broadest range of stakeholders, including the business community, social, environmental and economic partners, and the third sector.’ Taken from ‘RFA : Guidance on Preparing Advice’ development of component priorities overall advice Hugely important that this is a joined-up, strategic response

‘Yes, there is a Consensus?’

Challenges for RFA2 Over subscribed – What are the key priorities Need to comprise to reach consensus Avoid over optimistic assumptions about timescales and costs Spending the allocation for major transport schemes in the initial years!!!

Treatment of RFA1 Schemes (1) Not expect regions to de-prioritise schemes with full or conditional approval. These include: –Poole Bridge –Isles of Scilly Sea Link Not expect regions to de-prioritise schemes with programme entry unless significant changes in cost, scope or timetable. These include: –Bath Transportation Package –Weymouth Relief Road –Camborne/Pool/Redruth Transport Package –Taunton Third Way and Inner Distributor Road

Treatment of RFA1 Schemes (2) Schemes not yet approved but with a business case under consideration or due to be delivered to DfT by end 2008 – account should be taken of extent of preparatory work undertaken. These include: – Truro Transport Package – South Devon Link Road/Kingskerswell Bypass – East of Exeter Phase 2 – Westbury Bypass

The prize if the Region gets it right the region will further enhance its reputation for innovation and integrated thinking the region will have clarity about and commitment to its priorities for investment it will provide a real regional voice to Whitehall/Government it will make national funding work harder for the region = optimized outcomes for the South West