The government began consultation on how regions should prepare new-style regional strategies, combining the existing economic and regional spatial strategies into a single integrated vision.
Source: Policy Statement on Regional Strategies and Guidance on the Establishment of Leaders' Boards: Consultation, Department for Communities and Local Government (0870 1226 236)
Links: Consultation document | DCLG press release | Local Government Chronicle report
Date: 2009-Aug
An article examined the thinking of the opposition Conservative Party in relation to four policy areas: urban and regional policy; housing policy; labour market and welfare policy; and the third sector. There was a 'remarkable degree of continuity' over the period 1979-1997, reflecting the shift in politics away from traditional left-right divisions and towards a neo-liberal orthodoxy.
Source: Richard Crisp, Rob Macmillan, David Robinson and Peter Wells, 'Continuity or change: what a future Conservative government might mean for regional, housing and welfare policies', People, Place & Policy, Volume 3 Issue 1
Links: Article
Date: 2009-May
An article examined the effect of devolution on 'policy communities'. Devolution might leave existing systems of interest articulation unchanged, leaving 'regions without regionalism'; it might confine some groups within territorial boundaries while allowing others the freedom to choose between levels of government; or it might promote a general territorialization of interest representation, and the emergence of territorial policy communities.
Source: Michael Keating, Paul Cairney and Eve Hepburn, 'Territorial policy communities and devolution in the UK', Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Volume 2 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Mar
A think-tank report set out proposals designed to help central government departments work more effectively with localities and regions. Recommendations included introducing a new 'duty to devolve' on central government, reform of public service agreements and departmental capability reviews, merging the Audit Commission and National Audit Office into a new single auditor, and converting regional Government Offices explicitly into 'Offices of the Regional Ministers'.
Source: Nick Hope and Chris Leslie, Challenging Perspectives: Improving Whitehall's spatial awareness, New Local Government Network (020 7357 0051)
Links: NLGN press release
Date: 2009-Feb