The State of the Nations 2008 by Alan Trench

Author:Alan Trench
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Devolution, UK, United Kingdom, politics, institutional change, policy-making, public policy, finance, economics, parliament, intergovernmental relations, nationalism, executive government, SNP, Scottish gevernment, Scotland, constitution, Welsh Assembly, Plaid Cymru, Northern Ireland, regionalism, budget, budgeting, fiscal autonomy, Gers debate, accountability, Barnett formula, MPs, public service, sovereignty
ISBN: 9781845405489
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2017
Published: 2017-05-24T00:00:00+00:00

The Comprehensive Spending Review and the Sub-National Review

While the Northern Way initiative constituted a slight shift in the underlying commitment to managing growth evenly across England, it has been the latter approach, especially as expressed in the PSA target, that has dominated policy. As indicated above these targets were in part refined in response to each expenditure review. Consequently, a key driver in the development of regional policy at the national level has been preparation for each expenditure review. The 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) led to the commissioning by the Treasury of a number of enquiries into specific areas of policy some of which bear on regional policy. At the same time, in the build up to the CSR, submissions were made to the Treasury by, or on behalf of, various English regional organisations including the Greater London Authority, The Northern Way, the ‘Core Cities’ group of local authorities, the RDAs and the RAs.

As part of the CSR process, in early 2006, the Treasury, the DTI and the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) launched a comprehensive review of sub-national economic development and regeneration. This was tasked with examining ways in which the UK Government’s Regional Economic Performance PSA target could best be achieved and evaluating the effectiveness of existing sub-national structures in England in helping to achieve this target. [20] Feeding into this and the CSR were the reviews of aspects of policy affecting sub-national development. The most significant of these were reviews of transport policy by Sir Rod Eddington, of land-use planning by Kate Barker, and of local government functions and finances by Sir Michael Lyons. The Eddington study essentially argued that transport investments that aim to alleviate congestion represent the most reliable route by which transport policy can support national economic competitiveness. In support of this approach, it called for changes in the planning process for major transport projects through the introduction of a new Independent Planning Commission to take decisions on projects of strategic importance. [21] The Barker review of land-use planning also examined how planning policy and procedures could better deliver economic growth and prosperity. The report called for a more simplified and streamlined planning process to assist economic growth and, like the Eddington study, proposed an Independent Planning Commission to determine major infrastructural applications. [22] The Lyons review of local government recommended that local authorities be encouraged to pursue ‘place-shaping’ policies, including economic development initiatives. [23] In particular it recommended the introduction of better incentives for local authorities to promote economic prosperity and growth.

The Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration, published in July 2007, built upon the findings of these studies. Its main proposals were to:

Empower all local authorities (alongside local partners) to promote economic development and neighbourhood renewal, and to create better incentives to help achieve these ends.

Support local authorities in all areas to work together more effectively where they so wish and to encourage the development of robust decision-making at this level.

Streamline the regional tier outside London by creating

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