English Regions Network Annual Conference 2008
The English Regions Network (ERN) Annual Conference 2008, entitled 'Regions: 2010', was held on 23rd May at the Royal York Hotel in York.
This year's event, which attracted an excellent turnout of 150 delegates from a broad range of national and regional organisations, focused on the Government's recently released Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR) Consultation document and the proposed single regional strategies. The conference provided an opportunity for the development of a collective ERN response to the Government's SNR proposals and facilitated discussion on the Consultation document.
Speakers at the event included (click on the speaker's name to view their presentation):
- Rt Hon. Rosie Winterton MP - Minister of State for Transport and Minister for Yorkshire and The Humber
- Sir Peter Soulsby MP - Modernisation Committee, House of Commons
- Steven Broomhead - Chief Executive, North West Development Agency
- Jayne Ashley (for Andrew Lee) - Policy Officer, Sustainable Development Commission
- Cllr David Sparks - Chair, Regeneration and Transport Board, Local Government Association
- Cllr Keith Mitchell - Chairman, English Regions Network and South East England Regional Assembly
- Cllr Peter Box - Chairman, Yorkshire and Humber Assembly
Reflecting on this year's event, ERN Chairman, Cllr Keith Mitchell, said: 'The conference provided an excellent opportunity to exchange views on the Government's SNR proposals. Some serious concerns were expressed, particularly about the proposed transfer of regional planning powers to an unelected government agency. An ERN response will now be developed reflecting the comments made at the conference and the contributions provided by ERN Working Groups.'