On 25 November 2008, Government published details of how it will streamline regional planning in Prosperous Places: taking forward the review of sub national economic development and regeneration - Government response to public consultation. Key points include:

• A new Single Regional Strategy (SRS) will replace the current approach of the South East Plan and Regional Economic Strategy
• Responsibility for preparing the SRS in each region will be held jointly by a Local Authority Leaders' Board and the RDA
• Regional Assemblies will disappear
• Local authorities and RDAs must show 'early progress' towards new joint working arrangements.

There will also be a duty to engage stakeholders.

The Assembly believes Government's announcement is a victory for democracy. Almost 18 months after Government announced plans to transfer planning functions to unelected regional development agencies (RDAs) it has backed down - making planning a joint responsibility between local authority leaders and the RDA.

Government has not set out structures for managing the joint responsibility, leaving the decision to each region. Ministers want new working arrangements in place by spring 2009. With this in mind, the South East England Regional Assembly was dissolved on 31 March 2009.

As of 1 April 2009, responsibility for regional planning and the production of a new Single Regional Strategy rests with the South East England Partnership Board, which is supported by staff from the former Assembly and from SEEDA.

Background

Published in July 2007, the Sub-national Review of Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR) outlined Government proposals to transfer Regional Assembly responsibilities for regional planning, regional housing and regional transport to the unelected Regional Development Agency (RDA). The Assembly opposed this because it believes key planning decisions should be led by elected and accountable local councillors. The Assembly is made up of two thirds councillors and one third representatives from the social, environmental and business sectors.

Government recommended that accountability powers, including scrutinising SEEDA's work, go to a group of local authorities.

Government's original SNR plans were followed by an update document in December 2007. It finally published the full SNR consultation document on 31 March 2008. Consultation closed on 20 June 2008.

In June 2008, the Assembly submitted its response to Government which drew in part on an opinion poll carried out in spring 2008. The poll showed that most residents want to see big regional planning decisions led by councillors.
Assembly response to SNR consultation - 135 KB

ERN Submission (June 2008) - 1.42 MB

Audio Files

Listen to former Assembly Chairman Cllr Keith Mitchell commenting on Government's SNR plans:

1. Ipsos MORI Poll - Who should decide big planning decisions? - 250 KB
2. Government contradicting its own community empowerment policy - 200 KB
3. No to planning powers to quango of business people - 91 KB
4. Councillors balance social, economic and environmental needs - 97 KB
5. Predicted Government reaction to Assembly views - 204 KB