Regional Committees are responsible for scrutinising the work of regional strategies and other regionally constituted bodies. The South East Regional Select Committee has called its first inquiry. It will be into the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and the Regional Economic Strategy (RES).
The Regional Economic Strategy (RES) is produced every three to four years in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, defining the region's priorities and targets for the work of all the partners in its delivery – public, private and voluntary. The purpose of RES is to set a course for the region's economy. To view the strategy in full click here.
With SEEDA reviewing the RES in light of the current economic downturn, this is an ideal opportunity for the Voluntary/Community Sector to be able to influence the RES in the future and to ensure that the social voice of the South East Region gets heard.
The South East Regional Committee is calling for evidence on the following:
• The role, responsibilities and accountability of SEEDA.
• The process by which the RES was drawn up and the level of involvement of regional stakeholders.
• The effectiveness of the RES for the South East in delivering against its targets including the degree to which the regeneration of areas of deprivation and the former coalfield areas has been successful.
• The effect of the financial and economic situation on businesses in the region including the effect on different sectors such as manufacturing or service industries.
• The changes to regional policy proposed in the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill and the potential effect on the work of SEEDA.
• The role of other Government agencies such as the Government Office for the South East, and of partnerships between Government agencies, local government and the private sector, in delivering the aims of the RES.
• How effective initiatives such as Business Link are in assisting businesses in the current climate, including helping them to gain access to funding both from Government funding streams and through the banking system.
RAISE will be submitting a written response to the Select Committee, we therefore welcome any comments you may wish to make. The deadline for responses is the 13th April.
Please submit your responses to helen.jackson@virgin.net
To discuss this further contact Carol Mckinley at carol@raise-networks.org.uk or call 01483 885266.
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