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The Changing Face of Accountability Dagmar Waller Regional Scrutiny Manager West Midlands Regional Assembly. Local Authority. Widening the focus with partnership scrutiny Local Area Agreements Comprehensive Area Assessments Petitions Councillor Calls for Action Duty to promote Democracy.
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The Changing Face of Accountability Dagmar Waller Regional Scrutiny Manager West Midlands Regional Assembly
Local Authority • Widening the focus with partnership scrutiny • Local Area Agreements • Comprehensive Area Assessments • Petitions • Councillor Calls for Action • Duty to promote Democracy
Regionally • Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill • Abolition of Assemblies – April 2010 • No requirement for LA led scrutiny • Local Authority Leaders Board • Joint working with RDA But • Where is the accountability for regional strategic decision making?
Regional Select Committees Expected • 8 Regions - not London • 12 month trial from Jan • National political balance • Meet 6 times a year • Unpaid Chairman • Examine regional strategies/regional bodies
But! • Debate re Membership 3 March 08 • Conservative/Liberal Democrat boycott • 5 Labour members per Committee agreed • Potential conflict of interests – PPS’ • Are they representative of region? • Will they consider issues from regional perspective?
Regional Grand Committees • 8 Committees - not London • Open to all MP’s from Region • Meet once or twice a year within Region • Hold Regional Minister to account (45 minutes) • General Debates on specified issues • Does this provide effective accountability?
South East • Regional Assembly dissolved 1 April • South East England Leaders Board • South East England Partnership Board • 8 from Leaders Board plus 4 from SEEDA • No scrutiny role • Informal accountability through the decision making process
South East Committee Members Dr Stephen Ladyman (Chair) – South Thanet Celia Barlow – Hove David Lepper – Brighton, Pavilion Glyn Prosser - Dover Andrew Smith – Oxford East
First Enquiry SEEDA and the RES • SEEDA roles, responsibilities and accountability • Process of drawing up RES and involvement of stakeholders • Effect of economic situation and effectiveness of initiatives inc Business Links • Changes to regional policy proposed by Local Democracy et al Bill • Partnership working
A Possible Future? Conservative Green Paper • Cut back inspection • Abolition of CAA • Allow LA’s to decide structures (incl. return to Committee structures) Regionally • Abolition of RDAs?