IT IS NOT WITHIN THE POWER OF GOVERNMENT TO ABOLISH REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES
“Will Regional Assemblies be formally abolished under the proposals just announced?
Regional Assemblies are voluntary organisations and therefore it is not within the power of government to abolish them. However, Government will give the Regional Development Agency (RDA) and the Local Authority Leaders’ Board joint responsibility for the regional strategy, including its drafting, implementation plan and monitoring of its delivery. As a result, the key regional planning functions of the Regional Assembly will pass to the RDA and Local Authority Leaders’ Board. Other residual functions will also pass to successor bodies as required and the need for Regional Assemblies will end. We will repeal any relevant legislation and transfer any funding to successor bodies.”
