EUKN - United Kingdom - Strategy development and partnerships working in Regional Development Agencies

Strategy development and partnerships working in Regional Development Agencies

Introduction

This summary presents a synopsis of a report which reviews the Regional Development Agency (RDA) Regional Economic Strategies in terms of the extent to which each has identified the opportunities for partnership working in pursuit of its objectives.

Description

The full report provides an assessment of the process engaged in by the RDAs with their partners in the development and taking forward of the RDA Action Plans, and identifies good practice and transferable lessons for the RDAs in working with regional, sub-regional and district-level partners and other relevant agencies.

Background information

The principle of partnership is integral to the purpose, role and remit of the RDAs, and in particular in ensuring all relevant local and regional interests contribute effectively towards an integrated and coherent strategic programme in the region that commands general support. This research examined how the RDA have worked in partnership.

Methodology

A consistent research method was adopted in each of the English regions (excluding London which was not covered by the study) involving the following main stages of research:

a review of each of the Action Plans;
semi-structured interviews with the RDA, Government Office, and various core partners;
three discussion group meetings involving a wider range of partner organisations; and,
follow-up interviews with the RDA for clarification and discussion of emerging findings.

Conclusions

The main findings of the report can be summarised as follows:

In all regions the process of developing the Regional Economic Strategies has been successful.
In general, the RDAs have recognised the importance of influencing the development of Regional Planning Guidance to ensure it is complementary to the RES. their role and influence in the Strategy development process.
The work of the RDAs and the production of the Regional Economic Strategies has been a major catalyst for increased involvement of all main regional stakeholder groups in developing priorities at the regional level.

Contact info

Communities and Local Government
communities@twoten.com

Publication date

Project finished

Researcher

Communities and Local Government

Article info
ISBN: 1 85112 469 1

Links

Visit the department for Communities and Local Government website Order the 'Strategy development and partnerships working in Regional Development Agencies' Report

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy

Keywords

Economy knowledge & employment