Regional Accountability
Scrutiny is one of the core functions of Regional Assemblies. Key organisations and agencies - principally the Regional Development Agencies - are regionally accountable through Regional Assemblies for the decisions they make and their contribution to meeting each region's strategic economic development objectives.
Renewing Regional Accountability
As the Government has recently invited consultation on its proposed reforms of regional governance, including the abolition of Regional Assemblies, the introduction of Regional Ministers and strengthening the roles and responsibilities of Regional Development Agencies, significant thought is now being given to how our democratically elected representatives are able to hold to account those leading the new regional arrangements.
'Renewing Regional Accountability' looks back on how Regional Assemblies have held RDAs to account through regional scrutiny since 1998. It considers case studies of good practice by Assemblies from across England and identifies seven principles of good practice to support the development of new regional arrangements. Regional scrutiny is most powerful when it is:
- Democratically-driven
- Informed by specialist expertise
- Clear in its purpose, understood and valued
- Strategic
- Constructive and focused on clear outcomes
- Evidence-based
- Objective, rigorous and honest
The Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration aims to strengthen regional accountability. While each region will agree its own arrangements for regional scruntiny and accountability, 'Renewing Regional Accountability' will help decision-makers build on the best of the work done by Regional Assemblies to date.
Download Report Renewing Regional Accountability
Scrutiny: RDA/RA Memorandum of Understanding
In May 2007 the eight Regional Assemblies and Regional Development Agencies outside London agreed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the key principles for effective scrutiny. The agreement was published as part of the Governments response to the Select Committee report on the future of regional governance.
Downloads
Examples of Good Practice - 2006/7
- West Midlands Regional Assembly
The focus of this review was to assess Advantage West Midlands activities to support and encourage rural renaissance in order to learn from experiences and influence future delivery. It did not look in detail at financial or project/programme issues but more at the strategic approach. This focus is reflected in the division of recommendations into strategic and improvement.
- South West Regional Assembly
This review focuses on the priority identified in the South West of England Development Agency's Regional Economic Strategy to 'improve coverage and usage of broadband technologies'.
Research conducted by ERN on Regional Scrutiny