1. The Changing Face of Accountability Dagmar Waller Regional Scrutiny Manager West Midlands Regional Assembly

2. Local Authority Widening the focus with partnership scrutiny Local Area Agreements Comprehensive Area Assessments Petitions Councillor Calls for Action Duty to promote Democracy

3. Regionally Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill Abolition of Assemblies – April 2010 No requirement for LA led scrutiny Local Authority Leaders Board Joint working with RDA But Where is the accountability for regional strategic decision making?

4. Regional Select Committees Expected 8 Regions - not London 12 month trial from Jan National political balance Meet 6 times a year Unpaid Chairman Examine regional strategies/regional bodies

5. But! Debate re Membership 3 March 08 Conservative/Liberal Democrat boycott 5 Labour members per Committee agreed Potential conflict of interests – PPS’ Are they representative of region? Will they consider issues from regional perspective?

6. Regional Grand Committees 8 Committees - not London Open to all MP’s from Region Meet once or twice a year within Region Hold Regional Minister to account (45 minutes) General Debates on specified issues Does this provide effective accountability?

7. South East Regional Assembly dissolved 1 April South East England Leaders Board South East England Partnership Board – 8 from Leaders Board plus 4 from SEEDA No scrutiny role Informal accountability through the decision making process

8. South East Committee Members Dr Stephen Ladyman (Chair) – South Thanet Celia Barlow – Hove David Lepper – Brighton, Pavilion Glyn Prosser - Dover Andrew Smith – Oxford East

9. First Enquiry SEEDA and the RES SEEDA roles, responsibilities and accountability Process of drawing up RES and involvement of stakeholders Effect of economic situation and effectiveness of initiatives inc Business Links Changes to regional policy proposed by Local Democracy et al Bill Partnership working

10. A Possible Future? Conservative Green Paper Cut back inspection Abolition of CAA Allow LA’s to decide structures (incl. return to Committee structures) Regionally Abolition of RDAs?

11. Any Questions?