Index

1. THE SOUTH WEST RDA AS AN ORGANISATION

We will publish information about the South West RDA's organisation and role, including information on the Agency's statutory remit, budget, personnel and recruitment policies, the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts, corporate plans and press releases.

Plans and strategies

Regional Economic Strategy and related documents 
 
Description: The strategy sets out how the region will achieve sustainable economic development over a 10 - 20 year period. A number of supporting documents are also available. 
Availability: Post, website: Regional Economic Strategy 2006:2015 
Cost: RES free; some support documents may incur a charge 
 
Corporate Plan 
 
Description: The Corporate Plan describes the South West RDA's planned expenditure, targets to be achieved and principal activities over a three year period 
Availability: Post, website: Leading the Way: South West RDA Corporate Plan 2005-8 (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 1789.44kb) 
Cost: Free 
 
Annual Report and Accounts 
 
Description: A report on the South West RDA's activities during the previous financial year and a statement of its approved accounts 
Availability: Post, libraries, website 
Cost: Free 

Policies

Health and Safety 
 
Description: How the Chief Executive discharges his/her responsibility for health and safety within the Agency 
Availability: Post, website: Health & Safety Policy (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 25.96kb)  
Cost: Free 
 
Race Equality Scheme 
 
Description: The Scheme sets out how the South West RDA will discharge its responsibilities under the Race Relations Amendment Act. 
Availability: Post, website: Race Equality Scheme (currently being updated)  
Please contact Jayne Craig, Diversity Manager, South West RDA for further details. 
Cost: Free 
 
Equality and Diversity Strategy 
 
Description: How the South West RDA promotes equality and diversity as an employer and through its activities with partner organisations 
Availability: Website: Equality and Diversity Strategy (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 129.75kb) 
Cost: Free 
 
Disability Equality Scheme and action plan 
 
Description: The RDA has produced a Disability Equality Scheme and action plan demonstrating its commitment to the Disability Equality Duty for the Public Sector and the first steps it intends to take to promote disability equality in its work. 
Availability: Post, website: Disability Equality Scheme: 2006 - 09 (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 336.09kb) Disability Equality Scheme: Action Plan 2006 - 09 (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 310.60kb) Disability Equality Scheme Appendix 1 (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 826.74kb) Disability Equality Scheme Appendix 2a (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 63.27kb) Disability Equality Scheme Appendix 2b (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 172.04kb)  
Cost: Free 
 
Gender Equality Scheme and action plan 
 
Description: The RDA has produced a Gender Equality Scheme and action plan demonstrating its commitment to the Gender Equality Duty for the Public Sector and the steps it intends to take to promote gender equality in its work. 
Availability: Post, website: Gender Equality Scheme (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 308.87kb) Gender Scheme Appendices (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 130.31kb) Gender Action Plan (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 252.09kb)  
Cost: Free

Recruitment and development of staff

Current Vacancies 
 
Description: All current vacancies advertised externally 
Availability: Post, website 
Cost: Free 
 
Code of Conduct for Employees 
 
Description: The Code sets out how the South West RDA expects their employees to conduct themselves within a public sector organisation 
Availability: The Agency's Code of Conduct for employees will be available in due course. 
Cost: Free 
 
Training and Development Policy 
 
Description: The principles and philosophy for the training and development of South West RDA staff are to reinforce the importance of the Agency's people as our most significant asset and "critical success factor" and to be a positive and caring employer, at least equal to the best in the sector. 
Objective and Desired Outcomes/Impacts: 
- The Agency has a highly motivated, expert and versatile workforce with sustained high levels of employee satisfaction equipped with the skills and knowledge to deliver current priorities and rise to future challenges. 
- The Agency is seen as a "career maker" which attracts talented and ambitious individuals keen to learn and broaden their experience in an exemplar organisation. 
Availability: This is being taken forward as part of the Agency's Independent Performance Assessment Improvement Plan. Further information will be available on the website in due course. 
Cost: Free 
 
Customer Care 
 
Description: The standards for customer service and statistics on the achievement of the targets. In line with the modernising government agenda we have implemented a series of internal efficiency measures for customer care that we call Service First; we benchmark our performance indicators to the national average and other RDAs.  
Availability: Post: website: Service First (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 23.12kb)  
Cost: Free 
 
Complaints Procedure 
 
Description: The general procedure for handling complaints and appeals; how to make a complaint and information on target response times 
Availability: Post, website: Please note that there are two complaints procedures. One is the South West RDA's standard procedure for complaints about our services. Complaints Procedure (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 41.53kb). The other is specifically for complaints related to requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act or Environmental Information Regulations. Freedom of Information Complaints Procedure (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 45.19kb). 
Cost: Free 

Finance and audit

Financial Memorandum 
 
Description: The financial procedures the South West RDA is required to follow when handling income and expenditure 
Availability: Post, website: Financial Memorandum (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 508.35kb)  
Cost: Free 
 
Procurement Policies and Tendering Procedures 
 
Description: The process the South West RDA follows to purchase goods and services, including tendering arrangements  
Availability: Post, website: Sustainable Procurement Policy (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 46.18kb) 
Cost: Free 
 
Schedule of Contracts Awarded 
 
Description: Details of all contracts which have been made under the European Public Procurement procedures. 
Availability: This information will be available on our website in due course. 
Cost: Free

Organisational structure and contact points

The RDA Board 
 
Description: Details of current Board members. 
Availability: Post, website 
Cost: Free 
 
The Executive Team 
 
Description: Details of the Chief Executive and Directors of the South West RDA 
Availability: Post, website 
Cost: Free 
 
Organisational Structure Chart 
 
Description: A chart showing the current division of responsibility within the South West RDA 
Availability: Post, website: Organisation Chart (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 21.64kb) 
Cost: Free 
 
Board Papers 
 
Description: Summaries of Board Minutes and certain papers from Board meetings 
Availability: Post, website 
Cost: Free 
Notes: Available from 01 November 2002 
 
Public Consultation 
 
Description: Documents relating to issues currently under consultation or previous consultations and summaries of views expressed 
Availability: Post, website 
Cost: Free 
 
Press Releases 
 
Description: Copies of all press releases issued by the South West RDA and collectively by all RDAs. 
Availability: Post, website 
Cost: Free

2. RDA ACTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE

Information about the South West RDA activities undertaken to achieve our objectives

Targets and Outcomes (Performance Report) 
 
Description: Details of the targetry framework established by the Government for RDAs (Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3) and, where appropriate, achievements against the targets. 
Availability: Post, website 
Cost: Free 
 
Project Information 
 
Description: Details of key projects for which the South West RDA has agreed to provide funding over the past year 
Availability: Post, website (see pages 89-93 of our Annual Performance Report and Accounts 2004/2005) 
Cost: Free 
Notes: Available from 01 April 2002 
 
Exhibitions and Events 
 
Description: Details of South West RDA sponsored/hosted events 
Availability: Post, website 
Cost: Free

Monitoring the RDA Publication Scheme

The South West RDA wants its Publication Scheme to meet the needs of its stakeholders, partners and the general public. Suggestions for particular classes of information which we should consider publishing are welcome. Any comments or complaints about the Scheme should be sent to:- 
 
Sarah Downing 
Knowledge & Information Manager 
South West RDA 
Sterling House 
Dix's Field 
Exeter  
EX1 1QA 
Telephone: 01392 214747 
Fax: 01392 214848