Press Releases
Keep Regions Democratic
24th June 2008 - Major regional decisions on jobs, housing, transport abd the environment should be made by elected council leaders not undemocratic quangos, says the body representing England's Regional Assemblies.
Councils deliver accountable regional leadership
23rd April 2007 - Empowered local authorities working regionally with stakeholders is key to improving economic performance and narrowing regional disparities. This is the message from the English Regions Network's latest submission to the Treasury's sub-national Review of Economic Development and Regeneration.
Building up accountable regional governance: The English Regions Network welcomes Select Committee findings
14th March 2007 - England's eight Regional Assemblies today welcomed an MPs' report calling for Government to stick with and build on current regional governance arrangements.
Ken Livingstone to address the ERN Annual Conference
12th March 2007 - The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, will deliver a key speech on the economic and cultural opportunities that London 2012 will bring to the English regions at the ERN Annual Conference 2007 on 13th March at One Birdcage Walk in London.
For devolution read Quango state
6 March 2007 - Quango creep will become a rout of local democracy under recently mooted plans for redesigning regions, warned Cllr Keith Mitchell, Chairman of the English Regions Network.
Assemblies assert their business credentials
22 February 2007 - It is Regional Assemblies that provide the primary means for business to play its part in regional decision-making. That's the core message in a submission by the eight English Assemblies to the Government's sub-national economic development review.
Assemblies welcome Government recognition of vital tole in holding Regional Development Agencies to account
4 February 2007 - Regional Assemblies' scrutiny delivers real change and improvement to the activities of the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), Government told this year's Annual Scrutiny Conference hosted by the English Regions Network.
Adding Value to the Regions
20 November 2006 - New research confirms that Regional Assemblies are playing a critical role in securing economic and sustainable growth in the regions. The independent research commissioned by the English Regions Network found Regional Assemblies are delivering exceptional value across a broad range of functions with clear benefits for the regions.
Regional Assemblies pivotal to economic growth
31 October 2006 - The English Regions Network has welcomed proposals made in Ruth Kelly's local government white paper - Strong and Prosperous Communities - which provides strong support for increased regional level working and identifies Regional Assemblies as central to the continued economic growth in the regions.
Grant proposals could harm regional planning
23 October 2006 - Proposals to replace the current Planning Delivery Grant with a new Housing and Planning Delivery Grant which would be linked to achievement of housing targets could have serious impacts for regional planning.
ERN Chairman calls for an informed debate on the future of the Regions
10 October 2006 - Leading Conservative, Cllr Keith Mitchell, has appealed to his Party Leadership for an informed and comprehensive debate on the future of regional level working.
Minister calls for more powers for the regions
2 October 2006 - Further Whitehall decentralisation and devolved decision making is required in order for regions to reach their economic potential, Treasury Minister John Healey, told a Fringe meeting at last week's Labour Party Conference.
Assemblies are an indispensible part of effective regional governance
27 September 2006 - John Healey MP, Financial Secretary to the HM Treasury, will be joined by Regional Assembly Members and leading policy makers to debate the role of regional bodies in delivering economic growth at a Labour Party fringe meeting being hosted by ERN and TCPA.
Give Regional Assemblies power over funds
20 September 2006 - Regional Assemblies should direct all public money spent in their region, Lib-Dem Communities and Local Government Spokesman Andrew Stunell MP told a fringe meeting at this week's Liberal Democrat Conference.
Devolution will achieve better results argue Regional Assemblies
July 2006 - Government will achieve better, more sustained economic development and regeneration by devolving more decisions says the English Regions Network. Responding to Government's call for advice on its Sub-national Review of Economic Development and Regeneration, the ERN argues that England's Regional Assemblies have a critical role to play as strategic partnerships.
Members welcome Councillor Keith Mitchell as new ERN Chairman
July 2006 - Cllr Keith Mitchell said, "I am delighted to be elected chairman of the English Regions Network, an organisation that is committed to supporting the work of Regional Assemblies and strives to achieve positive outcomes for all the regions."
ERN welcomes Government response to regions' transport priorities
June 2006 - The Government's response to the transport advice submitted by the eight English regions has been welcomed by the English Regions Network. For the first time Whitehall has given Regional Assemblies and their partners - Regional Development Agencies and Government Offices - a say in decision making on spending for regional transport schemes spanning the next ten years.
Government report confirms role of Assemblies in 'Securing the Regions' Futures'
April 2006 - A new report from ODPM, DTI and DEFRA has praised the work of Regional Assemblies in promoting sustainable development and confirmed their role as lead bodies in further developing high level strategies for each of the eight English regions. Read on...
The full version of the report (1.9mb) can be downloaded here
New housing role for Assemblies - Bringing housing and planning under one roof
March 2006 - The Government's decision to transfer responsibility for housing to Regional Assemblies has been welcomed by the English Regions Network. The decision to merge Regional Housing Boards with Regional Planning Bodies follows recommendations made in the Barker Report on Housing Supply. It will bring together the existing responsibilities of Assemblies for planning and transport with the new area of housing, resulting in more joined-up policy making at the regional level and more sustainable communities. Read on...
Housing and Planning set to merge at Regional Level
November 2005 - The Minister of Communities and Local Government, David Miliband MP has asked Regional Assemblies for their detailed proposals on how they will action the transfer of responsibility for Regional Housing Boards from Government Offices to Regional Assemblies. The English Regions Network (ERN), the umbrella body of England's eight Assemblies, has welcomed progress on the move. Read on...