Sue Stirling (Newcastle, ippr north): Earlier this week the publication of the Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration grabbed the headlines for culling the regional assemblies. But there is more to this review then that: combined with Brown's plans for constitutional reform, it gives us a further glimpse at the Prime Minister's approach to power and accountability.The review offers more power to local authorities, transferring 14-19 education budgets to them, as well as opening consultations on a legal duty for economic development and some flexibility over business rates. It also strengthens the role of Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), adding to their portfolio the Assemblies' strategic powers over planning, transport and housing. Bringing these powers together with economic development may result in regional strategies that are more focused, prioritised and coherent.
This will be challenging as RDAs are business-led quangos primarily focused on economic development. Their new planning role will encompass land use, the green belt and housing - not simply economic matters, but social and environmental ones too. It is here that the role of local authorities is critical, as they must provide RDAs with their knowledge and experience in these matters. Most importantly they will provide accountability.
The review gives local authority leaders a more integral role in developing and agreeing regional strategies. Embedding local authorities in the work of their region has to be welcomed but could prove a complicated process. Two additional government departments will also have to sign off strategies, with regional select committees offering additional scrutiny. It remains to be seen whether this is the beginning of a bright new relationship between central and local levels or just too many cooks in the kitchen.
In our State of the Union project we argue that Brown must focus on the way England is governed as part of this constitutional reform. He must address the real curse of the English: not what Scottish MPs can vote on but overbearing centralisation in England. Taken together with the promised concordat between local and central government, maybe, just maybe, this review signals a step in the right direction.
