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All RDAs across England are closing by March 2012 (see transition and closure section). With our resources reducing steadily, this page has not been recently updated and the information below may not be current. If in doubt, please contact us directly.

The Review of Sub-National Development and Regeneration (SNR)

The Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR) (published July 2007) proposed a number of significant changes for managing economic development and regeneration activity below the national level. The aim of the SNR is to ensure that places within a region develop their economies and work together to deliver a sustainable economic vision.

The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction (LDEDC) Bill was then introduced in the House of Lords. The LDEDC Bill was passed by the House of Commons, and was then made an Act by Royal Assent on 12 November 2009. This Bill, as primary legislation, incorporated many of the proposals which came out of the SNR.

Implementation

The region has taken a number of major steps towards implementing elements of both the SNR and the LDEDC Act. These are:

  • Establishment of the region’s Strategic Leaders’ Board (SLB)
  • Establishment of new regional governance arrangements
  • Development and submission to Government of the region’s Change Management Programme in April 2009
  • Dissolution of the South West Regional Assembly and the agreement as to how the assembly’s functions can be carried out before April 2010
  • Internal RDA arrangements for how to go about implementing the SNR proposals

The Change Management Programme outlines how the organisations will work together to implement the changes introduced by the Sub-National Review in a way that secures the best possible outcome for the region.

Scheme for Strategic Regional Joint Working

One of the commitments identified in the Change Management Programme is to publish, for consultation, a Scheme for Strategic Regional Joint Working. The purpose of this Scheme is to confirm the new regional governance arrangements currently in place and broadly set out how the joint boards will operate.

The Scheme also details the principles for future engagement and joint arrangements for consultation and parliamentary scrutiny. The draft scheme is a joint publication by the South West RDA and the Strategic Leaders’ Board.

The Scheme is now out for consultation from 16 February until 30 March 2010.

If you have any comments on the scheme please submit these to consultation@swcouncils.gov.uk before the closing date.

Millennium Square, Bristol city centre

An aerial view of countryside South Devon