1. A Whitehall Perspective on Governance Change in the English Regions Sarah Ayres & Ian Stafford, University of Bristol
In July 2007 the Government published its ‘Review of sub-national economic development & regeneration’ (SNR)
This paper explores the rationale underpinning the proposals outlined in the SNR & assesses their implications for the future of English regionalism
Research Qs:
What have been the policy drivers behind English regionalism over the past 10 years?
What are the perceived shortcomings of the existing regional architecture?
What motivations underpinned the Government’s decision to reform regional structures in 2007?
What are the implications of the SNR for regional institutions & policies?

2. Existing regional architecture
Since the 1990s the regional tier has been ‘beefed up’
‘Integrated’ Government Regional Offices
Regional Development Agencies
Unelected Regional Assemblies
Regional Executive Agencies & Quangos
Improving stakeholder representation

3. Motivations underpinning English regionalism
Promote economic development & boost UK productivity
Improve the effectiveness of services through regional & local diversity
Enhance the efficiency of service delivery by joining up policy areas
Boost local democracy by bringing decision making closer to the people
NB - differentiation across Whitehall departments

4. 10 years of English regionalism
Origins in EU Structural Funds (New Regionalism)
Building Partnerships for Prosperity (DETR, 1997)
Collaborative governance
Modernising Government (Cabinet Office, 1999)
Reaching Out & Wiring it Up (Cabinet Office, 2000a;b)
Your Region, Your Choice (ODPM/DTLR, 2002) - Elected Regional Assemblies?
‘Devolving Decision Making’ (Treasury documents)
Regional Emphasis Documents - feed into 2004 CSR
City regions & Northern Way
North East Referendum (November 2004)

5. 10 years of English regionalism
‘All bets off’- status of regions challenged
Post referendum the Government demonstrated its continued commitment to regional tier
Strengthening regional evidence base
New Housing functions for Assemblies
Sustainable development (DEFRA, 2005)
Regional Funding Allocations (July 2005)
2007
Change political leadership (June 2007)
Comprehensive Spending Review (July 2007)
Governance of Britain Green paper (July 2007)
Sub-national Review (July 2007)

6. Shortcomings of existing regional architecture
Central government agenda continues to dominate regional working
Problems with targetry
Confusion over roles & responsibilities
Assemblies viewed as ineffective
Too many regional strategies
Misalignment RSS & RES
Gap between administrative & economic boundaries
No real success in meeting target to reduce economic disparities
Poor regional evidence base

7. Government aspirations
Respond to globalisation - ‘new regionalist’ perspective still a driver for change
Reduce economic disparities
Devolve further responsibilities to sub-national tiers
Address the democratic deficit
Simplify structures
Streamline decision making

8. Sub-national review proposals
RDAs to be responsible for preparing a single ‘regional strategy’
Assemblies to be abolished by 2010
Local authorities (LAs) to be given new roles to promote economic development & scrutinise RDAs
Stronger accountability of RDAs to central & local government - Introduction of Regional Ministers
RDAs to delegate funding to LAs & sub-regional partnerships wherever possible
Emphasis on Multi Area Agreements
Simplification of targetry
Drives to link activities of quangos to regional strategies

9. SNR: Continuation or new direction?
Productivity:
Emphasis on single, overarching PSA 1
One single integrated (economic) strategy
Better targeting of deprived areas (get up to UK average)
RDAs clearer focus on economic development
RDA performance assessment more responsive & less bureaucratic
Regional & local discretion
Regionally based quangos need to tailor activities to PSA 1
Multi-scalar
Delivery at sub-regional level but will RDAs devolve?
Devolve as far as possible
‘Covert’ emphasis on City regions (DCLG view)
Variable spatial scales could enhance complexity

10. SNR: Continuation or new direction?
Joining up
DBERR sole responsibility for regional PSA target (no joint CG PSAs)
Single strategy - simplification & streamlining
Problems with spatial & economic elements in strategy - how scrutinised?
RDA dual roles economic development & RPB - conflict?
DBERR & DCLG to sign off regional strategy - implications?
Climate change is a growing policy issue but who will champion?
How link multiple scales & bodies
Democracy
Emphasis on most deprived areas - social justice or productivity?
LAs new scrutiny powers but will they be exercised?
RDAs must consult but partners do not have a veto
Regional Ministers & Regional Select Committees
Business sector prime focus - what about VCS?

11. The future? Ambiguity surrounds the implementation of proposals
Games still to play for (e.g. RDA board constitution, SEP mechanisms for engagement, role Regional Ministers & Select Committees)
Whitehall confirmation that SNR not a move towards elected regional government in future
2008 onwards - New phase for English regionalism?
Reforms potentially significant but Whitehall commitment to decentralisation yet to be proved

12. England Seminar Series
To what degree are the people of England (re)-appraising their identities as a result of the changed political context?
What is the more appropriate means of governing England in a post-devolutionary context?
Is an asymmetric system sustainable?
Does the limited degree of institutional decentralisation provide a significant basis for further decentralisation?
Can you have territorial discretion & equitable provision of public services?
The English public’s non-responsiveness to date - what factors might prompt pressure for change?