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REGIONAL FUNDING ADVICE 2 What’s it all about?. Tyler Wakeford 16 November 2008. www.gosw.gov.uk • 0117 900 1845 • tyler.wakeford@gosw.gsi.gov.uk. Introduction. The second round of RFA was launched by Government in July 2008
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REGIONAL FUNDING ADVICE 2What’s it all about? Tyler Wakeford 16 November 2008 www.gosw.gov.uk • 0117 900 1845 • tyler.wakeford@gosw.gsi.gov.uk
Introduction • The second round of RFA was launched by Government in July 2008 • Views sought from the ‘Region’ on inter-related and inter- dependent public spending decisions up to 2018/19, including elements of transport, economic development, housing, regeneration and skills • Submitted to Regional Minister, Ben Bradshaw, by end February 2009
What am I about to sit through? • The First Regional Funding Advice Exercise. • RFA2 Transport Requirements and Criteria • Handling, Process and Format • Existing schemes from RFA1 • Challenges and Opportunities
Success of RFA1 • DfT praised RFA1 SW advice as one of the best • Strong emphasis on public transport schemes and supporting growth at Strategic Significant Cities and Towns • Broad consensus on programme • Regional Infrastructure Fund now established and national example of good practice
RFA2 Transport Requirements (1) • As in the first RFA exercise, regions are asked to advise the Government on making decisions on £1.014 billion: • local transport major schemes (including maintenance schemes) where direct DfT grant is sought by the local authority; and • Highways Agency investment in major schemes valued at over £5m on roads of regional significance (ie not M4 & M5).
RFA2 Transport Requirements (2) • Under the RFA2 guidance, regions are also asked to advise the Government on making decisions on £1.778 billion: • local integrated transport and maintenance block funding (post 2010 – 11) – proposals as to the relative size and distribution of these budgets (including the proportions of funding to be allocated between blocks and major schemes).
Criteria for Advice • Evidence based • Realistic • Value for Money • Consistent • Reflect national priorities • Reflect the priorities in Multi Area Agreements
Handling, Process and Format • Regions to determine their own approach • Submitted to Regional Minister, Ben Bradshaw, by end Feb • Format: evidence base, programmes of investment - 35 pages limit! • Scenario planning expected +/- 10%
Input and Ownership ‘…advice will be more credible if it is based on a wide consensus and reflects the views of the broadest range of stakeholders, including the business community, social, environmental and economic partners, and the third sector.’ Taken from ‘RFA : Guidance on Preparing Advice’ • development of component priorities • overall advice Hugely important that this is a joined-up, strategic response
Challenges for RFA2 • Over subscribed – What are the key priorities • Need to comprise to reach consensus • Avoid over optimistic assumptions about timescales and costs • Spending the allocation for major transport schemes in the initial years!!!
Treatment of RFA1 Schemes (1) • Not expect regions to de-prioritise schemes with full or conditional approval. These include: • Poole Bridge • Isles of Scilly Sea Link • Not expect regions to de-prioritise schemes with programme entry unless significant changes in cost, scope or timetable. These include: • Bath Transportation Package • Weymouth Relief Road • Camborne/Pool/Redruth Transport Package • Taunton Third Way and Inner Distributor Road
Treatment of RFA1 Schemes (2) • Schemes not yet approved but with a business case under consideration or due to be delivered to DfT by end 2008 – account should be taken of extent of preparatory work undertaken. These include: • Truro Transport Package • South Devon Link Road/Kingskerswell Bypass • East of Exeter Phase 2 • Westbury Bypass
The prize if the Region gets it right • the region will further enhance its reputation for innovation and integrated thinking • the region will have clarity about and commitment to its priorities for investment • it will provide a real regional voice to Whitehall/Government • it will make national funding work harder for the region • = optimized outcomes for the South West