This bulletin summarises the proceedings of the Executive Committee of 13 December.

SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Executive Committee received the report from the Assembly Select Committee on SEEDA's impact on the diversification of the rural economy. Chaired by Social and Environmental Partners Vice-Chair, Jeremy Leggett, the Select Committee convened for a day session in late October to take submissions, and again for a half day earlier this month to discuss the report on the Committee's findings.

The Committee heard from key players, including local authorities, economic partnerships, rural community councils, trade unions and government agencies. The committee agreed that diversification of the rural economy has two dimensions. Land based businesses need to be supported in creating and retaining added value in rural communities. In addition, small firms in other appropriate sectors need to be encouraged in order to broaden the business base in rural areas. SEEDA has an important contribution to make to both these objectives.

The Select Committee's recommendations for SEEDA include:·

• Strengthen SEEDA's organisational capacity in order to mainstream the rural dimension of policies and establish systems to ensure that rural issues are taken into account in prioritising and tracking activities and programmes.
• Assist local initiatives in rural towns across the region to encourage regeneration and, where appropriate, develop the role of these towns as activity hubs.
• Continue to support the strengthening and diversification of land-based businesses.

The Executive Committee endorsed the Select Committee's view that a clearer vision is needed for the countryside in the South East, and agreed that the region's Rural Affairs Forum should be asked to promote this wider debate.

REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES (PREPARATIONS) BILL

The Executive Committee received an initial report on the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill, which was presented to Parliament on 14 November. The bill has now had its second reading and reached committee stage. The bill provides for:·

• The Government to hold referendums in the English regions on the creation of elected regional assemblies.
• The Secretary of State will first take soundings in each region as to whether such a referendum should be held.
• The Secretary of State will ask the Boundary Committee to design a system of unitary local government in those regions where he has decided to hold referendums.
• The Government to fund existing regional chambers directly.

Subsequent to this, on 2 December, Regions Minister, Nick Raynsford MP launched two supplementary documents to the bill. The first document details the soundings process. It explains how the Secretary of State will go about gauging opinion in each region as to whether a referendum should be held. The deadline for responding to the consultation is 3 March 2003.

The second supplementary document proposes guidance to the Boundary Committee for the reviews it will be asked to undertake of local government in those regions proceeding to referendums. The Government is consulting on this draft guidance to the Boundary Committee and has invited responses on the same timetable as that for the soundings exercise.

The Assembly's response to both consultations will be debated at the next Executive Committee before going to the next full Assembly meeting in March.

Both consultation documents can be found on the ODPM website.

SEEDA ACCOUNTABILITY

Regional Economic Strategy and SEEDA's corporate plan
Paul Lovejoy from SEEDA reported to the Executive Committee that the Regional Economic Strategy was formally endorsed by the Secretary of State earlier this month. It will be formally launched in the New Year but is being published prior to Christmas.

Following this formal endorsement, SEEDA will be developing action plans with partners. This set of key action plans and the first draft of SEEDA's corporate plan for 2003-2006 will also be prepared before Christmas.

SEEDA's response to SERAS
It was also reported to the Executive Committee that SEEDA's response to the Government's consultation on the future development of air transport in the South East (SERAS) differs from the Assembly's. While the SEEDA board rejects the proposal for Cliffe, unlike the Assembly it supports the building of a third runway at Heathrow. Executive Committee members were concerned to understand the rationale for SEEDA's support for Heathrow's expansion. It was decided that SEEDA's response to SERAS would be considered at the February meeting of the Regional Planning Committee.

GOSE REPORT

Paul Martin of GOSE reported to the Executive Committee on the transport schemes which were announced by the Secretary of State last week. Included in these are a package of funds for local authorities in the South East totalling £195 million.

Major schemes proposed by local authorities which have been approved include:·

• A24 Ashington-Southwater
• A24 Horsham-Capel
• Mereoak improvement in Wokingham
• A new transport interchange at Ryde.

NEWS IN BRIEF

New Liberal Democrat Vice-chair
It was announced at the Executive Committee that the new Liberal Democrat Vice-chair of the Assembly is Cllr Mrs Jan Morgan of South Oxfordshire District Council.

The new member for Eastleigh Borough Council is Cllr Louise Bloom.

European Capital of Culture 2008
The Executive Committee pledged the Assembly's full support for the Oxford Inspires bid to become the UK's nomination for the European Capital of Culture 2008.

Oxford is one of the UK cities which have been shortlisted. Also included are Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool and Newcastle/Gateshead. The eventual winner will be named by the Prime Minister next May.

London 2012 Olympic Games Bid
The Executive Committee also pledged the Assembly's full support for London's bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

Although the bid would be centred on London, the wide range of both sporting and tourist facilities required will mean that some of these will have to be staged outside the capital. The South East is well placed to offer facilities for sports such as sailing and shooting as well as other facilities for competitors and tourists.

School Citizenship Project
Raising awareness among young people is a priority for the Assembly under its delivery plan to strengthen regional accountability. A 'citizenship' project, including an education resource pack and a 'Citizenship Day' on 25 June 2003, is being piloted with George Abbot School in Guildford. The day's activities will be focused on a scenario where a new production plant is being planned for the area. Through role play, environmental and transport planning issues will be discussed and the regional dimension addressed. Once piloted, the approach will be offered to other schools in the region.

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Last updated: 21 August 2007