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?

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

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

10 years of English regionalism 1997-2001 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) 2002-2004 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)

10 years of English regionalism 2005-2007 ‘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)

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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?