New framework requires RDAs and councils to work together to deliver local economic growth

The government is encouraging regional development agencies (RDAs) to work more closely with local authorities and national government in an attempt to develop more locally focused efforts to increase economic growth.

Partnerships for Growth (A National Framework for Regional and Local Economic Development), published on 10 December 2009, sets out the plans to coordinate the work of RDAs and local authorities.

While the government will retain responsibility for cross-cutting national strategy and decisions with national effects, RDAs and local authorities will together be expected to lead implementation on the ground.

RDAs will also be expected to work with local authority Leaders’ Boards, sub-regional partnerships and further education providers, to develop regional skills strategies.

The framework also encourages councils and RDAs to expand their economic remit beyond just supporting business to reflect on how every aspect of local policy and service delivery, including procurement and regulation, can shape their local business environments. RDAs and local authorities will also be required to take account of the positive ways in which their policies can affect neighbouring regions while RDAs will be expected to take account of national and regional impacts from their investments.

“City-regions and local authorities have important roles in ensuring that the local business environment supports investment and that people are able to take advantage of employment opportunities,” Regional Economic Development Minister Rosie Winterton said. “Changing economic times create new challenges and we must ensure every region benefits from the opportunities for growth provided by the recovery.”

For more information, please visit:

http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file53941.pdf