Regional Assemblies – English Regions Network

ERN – ENGLISH REGIONS NETWORK

“About Regional Asemblies
The Facts

1. What are Regional Assemblies?
Regional Assemblies are partnership bodies which bring together representatives from the public, private, voluntary and community sectors.

2. Who are Regional Assembly Members?
The exact profile and number of Assembly Members varies from region to region. In general 70% of Members are elected local authority councillors and 30% are social, economic and environmental partners drawn from sectors such as business, arts and culture, education, faith groups, community, voluntary and environmental organisations. Members of the European Parliament are also Members of some Assemblies.

The Regional Assemblies are voluntary organisations and their Members are determined by their nominating bodies.

3. How long have Regional Assemblies been operating?
Regional Assemblies, sometimes referred to as ‘Regional Chambers’, were set up in the late 1990′s at the same time as Regional Development Agencies were established. The relevant legislation is the 1998 Regional Development Agencies Act.”

Leadership – Regional Assemblies

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.”