Our policy and practice update
14/01/09
Sarah Davis, CIH Senior Policy Officer, gives an update of how the Government is proposing that the regional policy agenda and investment is taken forward. She also provides further updates on the way CIH is responding to ensure that housing is sufficiently recognised within the wider economic agenda.
The developing regional agenda
The Government's Review of Sub-national Economic Development and Regeneration issued last year proposed some significant changes to the way policy and investment is developed in the regions, with a particular focus on changing the regional structures.
It initially proposed a central role for the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and the other regional development agencies as the lead bodies. Their focus would be to develop an integrated strategic planning approach in their regions, to ensure it supported the economic development and prosperity.
The Government has recently issued its response to the consultation and new plans for developing the South East. The Government response to Prosperous Places: Taking forward the Review of Sub-national Economic Development and Regeneration involves a joint approach and role for local authorities, through the Local Authority Leaders Board and SEEDA. These bodies will be jointly responsible for developing and taking forward the new integrated single regional strategy. At its heart, there still lies a determination to meet the challenging economic environment and raise the rate of sustainable economic growth.
The Government's response includes:
- joint responsibility for the Leaders Board and regional development agency to develop the integrated single regional strategy
- an economic assessment duty on upper tier and unitary local authorities
- delegated decision making by regional development agencies to local authorities and sub-regional partners, on an investment planning model
- supporting sub-regional collaboration on economic development through three routes - economic improvement boards, multi-area agreements with statutory powers or voluntary multi-area agreements.
To progress this, the Government will use forthcoming legislation to make necessary legislative changes and produce necessary guidance.
CIH South East's engagement with the regional agenda
The Chartered Institute of Housing has proactively linked with Jonathan Shaw MP, the Regional Minister for the South East, to argue for the strategic importance of housing in developing the region. In partnership with Shelter and the National Housing Federation, CIH representative Alison Breese had a very successful meeting with the Minister.
The three organisations have joined forces through a South East Housing Coalition to prepare for the changing regional agenda. They will provide factual support to the regional forums and Minister, and offer policy guidance, best practice and training to raise the profile of housing at a regional level.
CIH South East, together with Shelter and the National Housing Federation, is also currently seeking a meeting with SEEDA's Chief Executive - they are being supported by the CIH policy and practice directorate.
OneCIH
Joint policy and practice based work by the CIH South East regional committee and the CIH policy and practice directorate is focused on raising the profile of the CIH in the regions, maximising its input and impact on regional policy and investment decisions.
As a result, CIH has developed a strategic framework to take this relationships forward.
Download our OneCIH strategic framework from the CIH website (44kb - pdf)
Update on multi-area agreements
In view of the Review of Sub-national Economic Development and Regeneration, it is interesting to note the current development of multi-area agreements.
So far, seven agreements have been signed by local authorities and Communities and Local Government. Three of these include housing explicitly, one of which is South Hampshire. This multi-area agreement covers a combination of new housing and regenerating existing housing stock within its priorities as most of the local authorities in that area are keeping their own stock.