Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: North West Regional Committee's Books

future of the nuclear industry in the North West : Oral and written Evidence

This report from the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons (HCP 282, session 2007-08, ISBN 9780215521675), focuses on regional accountability. The Governance of Britain Green Paper (Cm. 7170, ISBN 9780101717021) put forward proposals for improved democractic accountability and scrutiny of the delivery of public services in the English regions. The Committee, in this report, has concluded that there is clear evidence of an accountability gap at regional level. Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), although accountable to ministers, still conduct many activities that are not subject to a regular, robust scrutiny, and the Committee believes more should be done to monitor the delivery of services. With this in mind, the Committee recommends the establishment of a system of regional select committees, with one select committee for each of the administrative regions in England, with the exception of London. Further, the Committee recommends that up to two regional grand committee meeting should take place in each session for each of the 8 regions. To avoid an adverse impact on House Members' other commitments, membership of regional committees should consist of 10 Members in total. This report therefore sets out a desirability of establishing new structures within the House of Commons to improve regional accountability and Parliamentary scrutiny.

Affordability and the supply of Housing : Session 2005-06, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence

Is there a future for regional Government? : Session 2005-06, Vol. 2: Written Evidence

The document contains written evidence submitted to the Committee in relation to its scrutiny of the Government's proposals for the creation of elected regional assemblies in England, as set out in the draft Bill (Cm 6285, ISBN 0101628528) published in July 2004. This draft Bill seeks to implement the policy proposals contained within the Government's White Paper (Cm 5511, ISBN 0101551126) published in May 2002, as part of its overall agenda of constitutional reform and devolution. Written evidence includes memoranda from the Electoral Commission, the Greater London Authority, the Trades Union Congress (TUC), the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the Association of Police Authorities; as well as from a number of regional bodies, local councils and local government bodies, charities and regional business organisations.

On cover and title page: House, committees of the whole House, general committees and select committees

The Committee's report was originally intended to improve the draft Regional Assemblies Bill (Cm 6285, ISBN 0101628528) published in July 2004. Although the draft Bill is now unlikely to proceed through Parliament in the near future, the report identifies key points which the Government should consider if, in the light of the result of the referendum in the North East in November 2004, it decides it wishes to return to the issue of introducing elected regional assemblies. The report discusses a range of issues including: the powers and resources of regional assemblies; their relations with local and central government; policy areas such as economic performance, skills development, transport and housing; funding aspects; constitutional and electoral issues, including the voting system used; and stakeholder participation. The Committee concludes that any future legislation needs to be more ambitious than the draft Bill to create regional bodies that are fit for their purpose.

Transport in the South West : First report of session 2009-10, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence

This report is the Committee's third inquiry and examines the issues that arose from the Examination in Public in 2009 of the Phase 2 update to the Regional Strategic Plan. That examination covered contentious subjects such as overall housing growth targets for the region, transport and the allocation of land for employment use. The inquiry also looks at the region's preparations for the introduction of the single Regional Strategy process which will come into effect from 1 April 2010. The evidence received by the Committee was overwhelmingly in favour of retaining strategic at the regional level and they are convinced that this is necessary to agree priorities between local authorities to deliver transport infrastructure, protect the environment and achieve urban renaissance.

Fire and Rescue Service : Session 2005-06, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence

share of funding received by the East Midlands : First report of session 2009-10, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence

Tourism in the North East : Third report of session 2009-10, report, together with formal minutes, and written Evidence

This report focuses on the work of Yorkshire Forward, its use of resources (forecast to be around £360 million in 2009-10) and how the regional strategies it has developed benefit the region's population of over 5 million, especially in the current economic climate. Yorkshire Forward has led the development of three Regional Economic Strategies (RESs). Although developed by Yorkshire Forward it is felt that it is important that the RES is owned by the region and Yorkshire Forward is commended for its consultative and collaborative approach. It is important that full account is taken of the region's diversity and it will need to be ensured that this is reflected in the new Integrated Regional Strategy, but this should not mean that sub-regional concerns are put ahead of a balanced approach to the interests of the region as a whole and should not detract from Yorkshire Forward's original core economic focus. The Committee is also concerned about the impact of budget cuts and a reduction in funding on the work of Yorkshire Forward and they recommend that Yorkshire Forward's budget not be decreased further

Regional Development Agencies and the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill : Fourth Report of Session 2008-2009

Working practices between the UK and Welsh Assembly governments in relation to cross-border policies appear much improved since the Committee's earlier reports on this subject. But a number of outstanding issues remain in transport, health and further and higher education. On transport the Committee welcomes the planned electrification of the Great Western Main Line. However, the Department for Transport appears to have washed its hands of any strategic responsibility for cross-border roads. The A483 is the clearest example of a road vital for travel within Wales but which is not important to the English region in which it is located, and as a result loses out on funding. The Committee stresses the need for comparative data on which to build solid research comparing NHS performance in the devolved nations. More needs to be done to raise public awareness of the differences in services people can expect to receive on both sides of the border. Transparency of information is vital. Research proposals in the UK Government's Higher Ambitions strategy for higher education make no reference to nations other than England, despite the UK-wide research remit of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The Committee calls for details about how research funding proposals apply to all four nations.

work of committees In 2008-09 : Second report of session 2009-10, report, together with formal minutes and Appendices

Coastal Towns : Session 2005-06, Vol. 2: Written Evidence

The South East Plan contains an annual target fro new homes that provides a benchmark which can be reviewed. Sub-regions will have their own targets that allow local circumstances to be taken into account, but the regional overview is valuable to ensure consistency and to enable review of the regional target as a whole. It is important that any review of housing targets in the South East takes into account the range of numbers put forward, their underlying reasons, and the consequences of not meeting any decided targets. The economic downturn has meant that fewer homes are being built and there are concerns that the lack of infrastructure provision alongside housing development is stopping schemes from making progress. The Committee recommends that the Government review the funding mechanisms currently available for this infrastructure. It feels it is important that the Homes and Communities Agency is given the resources it needs in future years. The Committee also acknowledges that while focusing development on brownfield land is important to stimulate regeneration there must be care that concentrating development in such areas does not have adverse effects such as using up urban land or valuable urban greenspace. The Committee also recommends that greater attention be paid to alternative models for providing housing land; that the region provides the right mix of homes and that the Government stick to its timetable for the Code for Sustainable Homes ensuring that all housing has a zero carbon rating by 2016.

The Code of Conduct, adopted by the House of Lords in July 2001, requires all Members to register information about any pecuniary or other benefit received which might reasonably be thought by the public to influence his or her actions, speeches or votes in the House of Lords or discharge of parliamentary duties. Declarations of relevant interests (both financial and non-financial) include: consultancy agreements; employment or other financial interests in businesses involved in parliamentary lobbying; remunerated directorships; registrable shareholdings; landholdings; provision by an outside body of secretarial and research assistance; hospitality or gifts; and visits made as a member of the Lords where costs are paid other than from public funds. This edition of the Register records the declaration of relevant interests as of 16 July 2004.

Incorporating HC 983-i, session 2006-07

Presents evidence which is taken before Sub-committee D (Environment and Agriculture).

Book's by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: North West Regional Committee

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