Regional strategies - Transport Policy and Planning in Great Britain - page 298

if the need arises. For example this could be done to incorporate decisions made by
DfT about the approval and timing for implementation of major transport investments
in the region - decisions which in an administrative sense are made independently of
the approval and publication of any region's RSS/RTS.
18.5 Changes consequent on the Sub-National Review
The Sub-National Review (DTI 2007) has its origins in the Government's failure
to achieve public backing for its earlier intention to progress the devolution agenda
through directly elected regional assemblies (8.4). An alternative pattern of reform was
seen to be needed which would improve upon the initial arrangements for governance
in the English regions introduced in 1999.
Significantly the Review was focused on economic development as the driver of
change. It was led by the former Department of Trade and Industry (re-named the
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform in 2007) with some input
from DCLG. Publication of the Review itself was followed by a consultation document
on its proposals (BERR et al. 2008a). If carried through, the regional institutions and
planning procedures described thus far are expected to be reformed by 2011 although
transitional changes are expected to begin before then:
The challenge for central and local government is to organise itself to facilitate
better outcomes at the most appropriate level through more focused decision-
making in competitive, dynamic localities, sub-regions and regions. The SNR is
a vehicle for reforming public institutions to enable them to achieve sustainable
economic growth, development and regeneration at every spatial level through
better alignment of economic and spatial planning within a sustainable
development framework.
(ibid. para 2.3)
The principle of 'promoting sustainable growth' underpins the reforms. This is
defined as
economic growth that can be sustained and is within environmental limits, but
also enhances the environment and social welfare and avoids greater extremes in
future economic cycles.
(ibid. p. 15)
The SNR also places strong emphasis on devolved decision-making to the most
appropriate level. Its proposals are being introduced as part of a wider programme of
governance reform including the changes consequent upon the Local Government
and Public Health Act, the Planning Bill and the Local Transport Bill (Chapter 23).
The proposed SNR reforms are:
• to streamline the regional tier of governance and to introduce single integrated
regional strategies (IRS)
• to strengthen the local authority role in economic development
• to support collaboration by local authorities across economic areas.
(The reforms affecting local authorities are explained in the next chapter.)