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Government to overhaul local planning

Tuesday, 1 April 2008 12:00 AM

The government has launched a consultation on its proposals to support regional economic growth in England through reform of local government.

It is hoped the plans, outlined in the Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration report last July, will being about a renaissance in England's most deprived areas when they come into force in 2010.

At which time a new streamlined regional government will take control of local planning, with the phasing out of Regional Assemblies.

Under the proposals top tier councils would be given a duty to assess the economic conditions of their area, including employment and skills needs, and the infrastructure needed to support sustainable economic growth - including housing and transport investment.

These councils and Regional Development Agencies (RDA) would then use this as the basis for regional strategies, covering the future for housing, skills, transport and regeneration in their region, to encourage greater economic growth.

"Over the past decade, every English region has benefited from significant and impressive growth. I want us to go further and faster, spreading this prosperity to every area of the country - but Whitehall cannot do this alone," enthused local government minister, John Healey.

"Councils are best placed to know the challenges that their local communities face and learn from their economic successes. In their reformed role, Regional Development Agencies will work closely with councils and business to develop a vision for the future of their areas."

Under the proposals RDAs and regional partners would also advise government on how best to join up the regional funding already allocated for areas including housing and regeneration, skills, transport and economic development.

Offering a tentative response to the proposals the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) argued the system of local government must look beyond simple economic growth.

"We have repeatedly raised our concerns with the government about the lack of democratic accountability the RDAs will bring to regional planning. Although local authorities will be consulted it is clear that the RDAs will still lead the development of the plans," explained Fiona Howie, CPRE's senior regional policy officer.

"We welcome the requirement for RDAs to consider the need for a low carbon economy, but this is too narrow a focus and too weak.

"Wider environmental issues, including water management and protection of the landscape and biodiversity, must be at the heart of regional planning."

Offering a local perspective, the proposals were welcomed by the North-west Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

"We very much welcome the proposals announced today, they are a vote of confidence on the ability of the business led RDA's to deliver sustainable economic growth and reflect the value we add, along with our partners, here in the north-west," said NWDA chief executive, Steven Broomhead.

"The proposals fit and build on the north-west model and we will be working closely with businesses and our partners to implement them.

"We also welcome the opportunity to enhance our already close working relationships with local authorities, with the proposed focus on joint investment planning to ensure that local and regional priorities are aligned to achieve maximum impact."

The full Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration report can be seen here.

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