This Bulletin reports the main issues covered at the Executive Committee of 20 January 2006.

GOSE REPORT

Rolande Anderson, new GOSE Regional Director, gave her first report to the Executive Committee. She updated the Committee on topics including:

City Regions
Ministers were considering of city regions as a way of encouraging effective sub-regional working, not to replace the existing regional structures.

Local Area Agreements (LAAs)
The nine current LAAs are in the final stages, although there are some challenges remaining before they are approved in March. Invitations will shortly be going out to local authorities to take part in the third phase of LAAs.

Local Government Reorganisation
Minister David Miliband MP wants to empower communities at the best and most efficient level and is currently engaging in debate and calling for ideas on the subject, particularly on accountability and structures.

Barker on housing
The Government has published two new papers for comment in its continuing response to Kate Barker’s 2004 review of housing. They cover land availability assessments and housing market assessments.

REGIONAL ECONOMIC STRATEGY (RES)

The Executive Committee agreed the Assembly’s response to SEEDA on the RES consultation document.

There was considerable debate about the document, particularly regarding its fit with the South East Plan and the need for both documents to be consistent on key policies. The RES consultation document suggests a need for at least 32,000 dwellings per annum in the period to 2011, rising to 36,000 per annum thereafter to 2026, rather than the 28,900 proposed in the Plan. There was concern that unless the two strategies align on issues such as housing numbers and growth at Heathrow, there is a risk of undermining the message to Government.

Issues of social need, transport, skills and smart growth were also raised. The consultation closes on 17 February 2006. The consultation paper can be downloaded from the SEEDA website.

REGIONAL FUNDING ALLOCATIONS (RFA)

The Committee endorsed the region’s advice to Government on the RFA for the South East.

It is a joint response from the Assembly, SEEDA and GOSE setting out the region’s view on how to prioritise and align budgets. The Assembly led on transport through the Regional Transport Board (RTB), SEEDA led on the economic development dimension and GOSE on housing through the Regional Housing Board.

In preparing advice, it was agreed by the RTB that existing commitments should be honoured which limits the funding available for new schemes.

There was also concern that the region was being expected to fund schemes that are of national importance, especially in view of the South East’s gateway role.

The RFA submission sets out the implications both of a 10% cut in budgets and a 10% increase. It aims to make a strong and innovative case for additional funding, drawing strongly on the complementary strategies of the South East Plan and the emerging RES for a focus on key urban hubs and their sub-regional hinterlands. In addition the argument is made that investment in the region’s gateway role in particular pays national dividends.

There was discussion about the Assembly’s decision not to propose transfers between the three budget headings (transport, housing and economy), but it was agreed that such transfers were not being ruled out indefinitely and that once confidence in the process is built over time, the issue will be revisited.

The final RFA submission will be posted on the Assembly website when it is submitted at the end of January.

BUSINESS PLAN AND BUDGET

The Executive Committee considered and agreed the Assembly’s business plan for the forthcoming three years, 2006-09 and the budget for 2006-07.

Discussions took place regarding the contributions the Assembly makes to third parties and how this is decided and monitored. Decisions are currently made at either the Executive or Leadership Group meetings. It was agreed that the Leadership Group would monitor the process more closely and report back to the Executive.

The Leadership Group will review member’s support.

SEEDA REPORT

Pam Alexander, SEEDA Chief Executive updated the Committee on the following issues:

SEEDA is to chair the national group of Regional Development Agencies from 1 April for six months and will use its time as chair to ensure meetings with ministers are as effective as possible.

They are working on value for money reviews for example business support, in preparation for the 2007 Spending Review and is currently engaged in performance appraisals with the National Audit Office.

The Olympic Regional Co-ordination group met for first time to ensure the region benefits from the legacy of the London games.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott visited the region in December and it was felt the region demonstrated its partnership approach and ability to deliver on its goals.

MEETING DATES 2007

The Assembly’s meeting dates for 2007 were approved and are available in our events diary.

RURAL AFFAIRS FORUM

The Executive Committee received a presentation from Jeremy Leggett, Chairman of the South East Rural Affairs Partnership (SERP).

The purpose of the partnership is to engage in the grass roots of rural communities, monitor the delivery of projects and feedback to DEFRA and to be the rural voice in policy making.

As part of their role, SERP are developing a South East Rural Delivery Framework, which was brought to the Committee for endorsement.

The Committee discussed the proposed framework, but were unable to endorse it as it is still ‘work in progress’. As DEFRA need feedback by March in order to allocate funding, it was agreed that the Leadership Group would further consider the framework.

The Committee confirmed that the Assembly wishes to play an active role in the South East Rural Partnership.

Individuals were invited to provide further nominations direct to the South East Rural Affairs Forum (SERAF) to strengthen the representation of the Assembly and its constituent bodies on rural issues.

NHS RE-ORGANISATION CONSULTATION

There was considerable debate about consultations proposals for restructuring local NHS services, particularly Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).

The Committee rejected the proposal for a SHA coterminous with regional boundaries, as it was felt this was too large an area for effective involvement. Instead, it agreed a proposal for two SHAs for the region, one covering Kent and Medway, Surrey and Sussex and another covering Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and Thames Valley. The Committee also requested further information on the exact role of the SHAs.

The importance of health bodies sharing local authority boundaries wherever possible was strongly supported, as was the proposal for a strong role for local authority Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees to ensure that local arrangements are ‘fit for purpose’.

However, the Committee expressed serious concern about the health service’s ability to maintain core business and service delivery during any reorganisation.

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY DIALOGUE

As part of its engagement with regional agencies the Assembly held its fourth dialogue meeting with the Environment Agency (EA) on 21 November 2005. It focussed on the impact of development on the environment. The EA and infrastructure providers expressed confidence that the expected levels of growth can be managed through work to unblock constraints on new infrastructure, increase water efficiency and change consumer behaviour. Following the meeting, a letter has been sent to Government calling for more leadership in promoting increased water efficiency, a more robust approach to sustainable construction and adequate resources for the EA to engage at the local level.

RTB CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Cllr Nick Skellett, Regional Transport Board Chairman updated the Executive on key issues and decisions made at the RTB on 6 January 2005. These included:

• Reinstating A3 Hindhead into the transport investment programme for 2006-11 and pressing ministers for commencement as early as possible.
• The next meeting will be on 8 May and the region’s 19 transport portfolio holders will be invited.

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Last updated: 21 August 2007