Download or read book Regional Development Agencies and the Local Democracy Economic Development and Construction Bill Oral and written evidence written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Business and Enterprise Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2009 with total page 456 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Regional Development Agencies and the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill : Fourth Report of Session 2008-2009
Download or read book Regional Development Agencies and the Local Democracy Economic Development and Construction Bill Report together with formal minutes written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Business and Enterprise Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2009 with total page 74 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill proposes substantial changes to the way that economic development policies are delivered. The four main proposals relating to economic development are: merging the existing regional economic and spatial strategies into a single integrated regional strategy, with local authorities and regional development agencies (RDAs) being jointly responsible for its drafting and agreement; giving local authorities the duty to undertake an economic assessment of their areas; devolving funding to local authorities to enable them, rather than RDAs, to deliver economic development policies; and encouraging collaboration between local authorities in delivering these policies. The Committee notes the strong support for a level of governance between central government and local authorities for the delivery of economic development policies and business support. The Committee would have liked more evidence about the effectiveness of RDAs and it is surprised the Government has proceeded with plans to restructure the way regional policy is made before the review of RDAs the Government has commissioned from PricewaterhouseCoopers is available. The Committee expresses concern over some proposals contained in the Bill: most importantly, there needs to be a proper balance between RDAs' business focus and the role of councillors in representing the views of their constituents. The proposals in the Bill about the relationship between RDAs and local authorities place too much weight on the views of RDAs and business interests, particularly during the drafting and agreement of the single integrated regional strategy. The role of local authorities - and of the communities they represent - must be strengthened. Many of the provisions of the Bill need clarifying.
Download or read book Sessional returns written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-01-27 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On cover and title page: House, committees of the whole House, general committees and select committees
Download or read book The work of Yorkshire Forward written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-03-16 with total page 184 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report focuses on the work of Yorkshire Forward, its use of resources (forecast to be around £360 million in 2009-10) and how the regional strategies it has developed benefit the region's population of over 5 million, especially in the current economic climate. Yorkshire Forward has led the development of three Regional Economic Strategies (RESs). Although developed by Yorkshire Forward it is felt that it is important that the RES is owned by the region and Yorkshire Forward is commended for its consultative and collaborative approach. It is important that full account is taken of the region's diversity and it will need to be ensured that this is reflected in the new Integrated Regional Strategy, but this should not mean that sub-regional concerns are put ahead of a balanced approach to the interests of the region as a whole and should not detract from Yorkshire Forward's original core economic focus. The Committee is also concerned about the impact of budget cuts and a reduction in funding on the work of Yorkshire Forward and they recommend that Yorkshire Forward's budget not be decreased further
Download or read book OECD Rural Policy Reviews England United Kingdom 2011 written by OECD and published by OECD Publishing. This book was released on 2011-01-25 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book reviews governance structures and decentralisation; delivering public services; economic development; and the importance of improving connectivity in rural areas of the UK.
Download or read book The new Local Enterprise Partnerships written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Business, Innovation and Skills Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-12-09 with total page 234 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report indicates broad support for the creation of Local Enterprise Partnerships as a way of addressing local growth. In particular the potential of LEPs to offer a greater focus on local economic needs, and build on the affinity between business, local government and other partners at a local level is recognised. Whilst it is right that LEPs should compete at certain levels it is equally important for them to collaborate, particularly with the Regional Development Agencies, where it makes economic sense. Local Enterprise Partnerships are being introduced quickly and at a time of greatly constrained public funding. There is concern that in the short term LEPs will need know how and powers and in some cases financial resources to make a positive difference. Government will need to be willing to devolve power to LEPs and in certain cases be willing to support LEPs at inception. If LEPs are to be a success, the Department's transition team will need to focus in three areas: retain RDA know-how, realising the full potential of RDA assets, and leveraging potential EU funding
Download or read book East Midlands Development Agency and the regional economic strategy written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: East Midlands Regional Select Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2009-07-29 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: East Midlands Development Agency and the regional economic Strategy : First report of Session 2008-09
Download or read book Industry and Innovation in the North East of England written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: North East Regional Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2009 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this report, from the North East Regional Committee (HCP 169, session 2009-10, ISBN 9780215542731), renewable industries could lead a recovery in the North East's manufacturing industry. The Committee states that the region is well placed to benefit from the growing global market for green technologies, but warns that British innovation and ideas could be lost as other countries benefit from quicker commercial development and implementation. World-class renewable energy companies in the North East - such as the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) at Blyth, the North East Process Industries Cluster (NEPIC) on Teesside, and NETPark, the North East Technology park in County Durham - could put the region at the forefront of the Government's efforts to turn the UK into a low-carbon economy. The Committee warns though, that the UK's cumbersome and slow planning process poses a significant risk to long-term development in the North East as businesses from countries like China seek quicker, guaranteed sites elsewhere in Europe. The report also states that the Government should explore incentives to encourage local development of renewable and clean energy. Also, underinvestment in transport links is proving detrimental to investment in the region.
Download or read book The Creation of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills and the Departmental Annual Report 2008 09 written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Business, Innovation and Skills Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2009 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (DBIS) was formed in June 2009 by the merger of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). This report looks back on the last departmental report of the old Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and considers the progress made in moving forward the new Department. The Committee welcomes the creation of the new Department which brings under one roof the business and further and higher education sectors. The Committee believes this could deliver significant potential benefits. The report examines the merger process, the delivery agencies, public service agreements and departmental strategic objectives, and future departmental reports and resource accounts. The report also focuses on the Automotive Assistance Scheme, designed primarily to support investment in low carbon plant and research and development. It welcomes the lowering of the limit of the Scheme from £5 million to £1 million, in line with its recommendation made in July, but is deeply concerned that not a single loan or loan guarantee has been made under the programme. The Committee calls on the Government to expedite its negotiations, and prove to the Committee and the automotive industry that the Scheme can provide tangible benefits to companies in the sector.
Download or read book Broadband written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Business, Innovation and Skills Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-02-23 with total page 228 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Digital Britain is a vital part of public policy which will define the United Kingdom's telecommunications networks for years to come, and so there must be a full-time Minister dedicated to the issue. This report supports a swift roll-out of Next Generation Access (NGA) networks across the country.
Download or read book Mergers Acquisitions and Takeovers written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Business, Innovation and Skills Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010 with total page 98 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Mergers, acquisitions and Takeovers : The takeover of Cadbury by Kraft, ninth report of session 2009-10, report, together with formal minutes, oral and written Evidence
Download or read book Full speed ahead written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Business, Innovation and Skills Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-03-22 with total page 242 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Motorsport and aerospace are two industries in which the United Kingdom is a world leader and the Committee believes that the future success of the UK economy will be based on these types of industries. Concerns regarding the aerospace included the current US complaint in the World Trade organisation and the Government's right to support the industry through Repayable Launch Investment; and that the UK aerospace sector has access to export trade credit at less favourable rates and through a more complex system than other countries. In examining the motorsport industry the Committee felt that there was a lack of understanding and effective engagement by Government. They are not content with the Government's current plans to take forward its work with the sector through the UK Automotive Council. Instead they recommend that the Government establish a dedicated motorsport policy team within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Small and medium-sized enterprises also play a very important role in supporting both sectors but they have been hit worst by the recession and the Government needs to do more to encourage high performance engineering firms to diversify. Both sectors require a highly skilled workforce and more needs to be done to align the education system with the skills needs of the industries. Finally is the problem of the 'non-green' image that both industries have.
Download or read book The Stationery Office Annual Catalogue written by Stationery Office (Great Britain) and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 628 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Constitutional reform and renewal written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Justice Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2009-07-29 with total page 56 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Committee recognises the appetite in many quarters for fundamental constitutional change and welcomes the Government's renewed focus on constitutional reform and renewal in response to this. It is surprised by the limited provisions in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill, and fears that this may be a missed opportunity to make progress in some areas of reform. Any programme introducing fundamental change should be carefully constructed and aimed at a coherent outcome taking into account the widest possible range of views and allowing sufficient time for consideration and response. The Government's approach to constitutional reform has been ad hoc and piecemeal. Reform must underpinned by a set of constitutional principles based on a proper understanding of the position and role of Parliament in relation to the other institutions of state. The report covers the Parliamentary Standards Bill, House of Lords reform, a written constitution, stronger powers to local government, electoral reform, young people's engagement with politics, freedom of information. The Committee cautions that inappropriate handling of bills and proposals for reform specifically designed to restore public trust may further undermine that trust.
Download or read book Cross border provision of public services for Wales written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Welsh Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-03-11 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Working practices between the UK and Welsh Assembly governments in relation to cross-border policies appear much improved since the Committee's earlier reports on this subject. But a number of outstanding issues remain in transport, health and further and higher education. On transport the Committee welcomes the planned electrification of the Great Western Main Line. However, the Department for Transport appears to have washed its hands of any strategic responsibility for cross-border roads. The A483 is the clearest example of a road vital for travel within Wales but which is not important to the English region in which it is located, and as a result loses out on funding. The Committee stresses the need for comparative data on which to build solid research comparing NHS performance in the devolved nations. More needs to be done to raise public awareness of the differences in services people can expect to receive on both sides of the border. Transparency of information is vital. Research proposals in the UK Government's Higher Ambitions strategy for higher education make no reference to nations other than England, despite the UK-wide research remit of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The Committee calls for details about how research funding proposals apply to all four nations.
Download or read book Abolition of regional spatial strategies written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Communities and Local Government Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2011-03-17 with total page 234 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs) bridged the gap between those planning issues determined by local policy or concern, and those subject to policy goals defined at a national level - such as those for housing or renewable energy. The committee did not pass judgment on the merits of regional spatial strategies, but is concerned about the hiatus created by their intended abolition. This is giving rise to an inertia that is likely to hinder development - making it much harder to deliver necessary but controversial or emotive 'larger than local' facilities and to ensure that our national need for new housing is met. There also needs to be a strengthened local authority 'duty to co-operate' and a better understanding of where Local Enterprise Partnerships will fit into these new planning arrangements. The Government's recognition that we need to build more houses, and its commitment to deliver 150,000 affordable homes over the next four years (although this is not an exceptional number by historic standards) is welcomed. However, the likelihood of achieving this increase through the New Homes Bonus is questioned. There is no evidence this mechanism will increase housing supply by 8 - 13% in the way that ministers predict. Indeed, it became clear during this inquiry that estimates for new house building contained in local authorities' plans have already fallen by 200,000 following the decision to abolish RSSs. The committee concludes that this Government may face a stark choice between whether to build fewer homes than its predecessors, or abandon its commitment to promote localism in decisions of this kind. The committee therefore calls for the New Homes Bonus to be linked explicitly to the delivery of homes provided for in local plans following robust assessments of housing need
Download or read book Financing of new housing supply written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Communities and Local Government Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2012-05-07 with total page 284 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report concludes that the Government must employ a basket of measures, covering all tenures of housing, if sufficient finance is ever to be available to tackle the country's housing crisis. For decades, successive Governments have failed to deliver sufficient homes to meet demand. The country faces a significant housing shortfall, and the financial crisis has amplified the problem. 232,000 new households are forming each year in England, and yet in 2011 fewer than 110,000 new homes were completed. The Committee sets out four key areas for action, which, taken together, could go a long way to raising the finance needed to meet the housing shortfall: large-scale investment from institutions and pension funds; changes to the financing of housing associations, including a new role for the historic grant on their balance sheets; greater financial freedoms for local authorities; new and innovative models, including a massive expansion of self build housing.
