‘Super cabinet’ may run North economy

Jun 24 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

APOWERFUL new “cabinet of city leaders” could be given a say over millions of pounds of Government funds as talks continue over the best way to boost the region’s economy.

Last year the Government brought out the much-anticipated Sub National Review, a document designed to tell quango leaders and council bosses just what new powers they should expect in the next decade. After an initial consultation, the Government has now received a series of demands as some of the region’s most influential groups seek to change the way the North East is governed.

In a bid to avoid a repeat of the regional assembly fiasco – which critics said was an attempt to force Government policy on to the region – the North’s top quangos are calling for more flexibility and a promise from the Government that it will rule out a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

Instead the region’s councillors and MPs are hoping to form their own scrutiny committee to make sure the controversies around previous Government-ordered changes are not repeated.

The Government has told regeneration bosses to oversee the creation of one super-plan – the Single Integrated Strategy – which will rule over everything from where the best place for a new business park is to how many homes can be built, near which roads. It could also see regional development agency One NorthEast forced to hand over some cash to council bosses tasked with boosting city economies.

Early suggestions for where to spend this cash include essential skills training and key infrastructure improvements, possibly including the Western bypass and the A19.

A joint submission has been prepared by One NorthEast, the soon-to-be- scrapped North East Assembly and the Association of North East Councils explaining what is needed from the Government to ensure the changes are a success.

They are calling for control over transport cash because “these major infrastructure investment programmes are critical to regional growth and competitiveness”.

Alex Watson, chairman of the North East Assembly, said: “The Assembly welcomes and supports the proposal to integrate economic and planning policy in the single strategy and it is good that each region has been given the opportunity to develop their own ways of working.

“It is important that the Government does not introduce a one-size-fits-all system.

“The new arrangements should build on the successful partnership already established in the region.

“By working together, we can deliver sustainable and long-term improvements to the quality of life for people living in North East England.”

Mick Henry, chair of the Association of North East Councils, said: “This opportunity for us to more effectively shape and determine our own economic future in the region is strongly welcomed and we will be working closely with partners as part of a commitment to making implementation of the SNR proposals a success in the North East.”