Leadership, governance and delivery
Delivering the regional economic strategy at sub-regional level
Local Area Agreements (LAAs) will make a major contribution to delivery of regional economic strategy (RES) targets, goals and priorities. In particular, they can address many determinants of economic participation and performance - including employment and entrepreneurship rates, skills and health. LAAs can be particularly effective in contributing to RES delivery by:
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setting ambitious targets, aligned with those of the regional economic and spatial strategies (and in future the single regional strategy)
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having a clear model for delivering economic change
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shaping services and aligning investment resources of local, regional and national partners to deliver shared objectives
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having a strong understanding of economic geography, the particular needs of deprived communities, urban and rural communities, local business needs and labour markets - expressed in future through local economic assessments
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developing effective multi-agency approaches to delivery of local outcomes
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greater involvement of the private and third sectors in local prioritisation, delivery and governance
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ongoing commitment to capacity development, improving sub-regional intelligence, learning and evaluation.
The RES identifies the engines of growth as critically important to the long-term competitiveness of the region and a focus for major housing and population growth. In these localities, local authorities and partners may decide to take forward Multi Area Agreements (MAAs).
These would be based upon:
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a bold and visionary strategy for the economic development of the area led by the local authorities, identifying and supporting a limited number of sectors and clusters of international and national significance, alongside outlining improvements in the general environment for businesses that serve local and regional markets
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effective partnerships that span administrative boundaries (both local and regional), tiers of government and the public and private sectors, urban centres and rural hinterlands, to deliver local and regional strategy ambitions
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Integrated Development Programmes (IDPs) that identify the phasing and financing of major physical infrastructure and growth necessary to underpin major economic centres and labour markets
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a clear planning framework that provides clarity and confidence to the market, including masterplans or area action plans.
Significant progress has been made in preparing IDPs across a number of regional cities and their hinterlands. During 2008, it will be important to roll-out such an approach across other RSS key centres for development and change, and for the government and key partners to recognise their importance in planning investment. To respond to the particular economic and environmental challenges of our coastal areas, partners are committed to establishing a regional coastal forum and action plan.
Given the new prioritisation mechanisms such as Local Area Agreements and Multi Area Agreements, alongside the growing role of local authorities and local strategic partnerships in economic development, sub-regions will want to review existing partnership structures to ensure they remain fit for purpose and efficient.
Local and regional partners will want to ensure that appropriate, effective and well-resourced delivery arrangements are in place at the sub-regional and local level. This may build on successful sub-regional economic partnerships and local delivery vehicles or seize the opportunities and potential efficiency savings provided by new models such as economic development companies or greater commercial involvement in the delivery of economic development. Importantly, arrangements will vary across the region and the focus must be on improving economic outcomes and greater involvement of the private sector as the primary source of growth in jobs and prosperity.
RES toolbox
Thurrock is a growth area of national significance attracting major private and public investment. This has been stimulated by our clear regeneration agenda, DP World's London Gateway development and the creation of the Royal Opera House Production Park