§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what are the(a) powers and (b) responsibilities, of (i) the 1301W Government offices and (ii) regional chambers of the regions, with regard to (a) sustainable development and (b) social inclusion. [60420]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Government offices for the regions bring together the activities and interests of many Government Departments. They deliver the policies and programmes of these Departments as well as promoting a coherent regional approach to cross-cutting activities, including sustainable development and social inclusion. Government office responsibilities are set out in the corporate plan for the RCU/GO network.
Under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998, the regional chambers have no statutory functions other than that each RDA, in preparing its regional economic strategy, must have regard to its chamber's views. That was put into effect by a ministerial direction under section 8(2)(a) of the Act. However, chambers have, in agreement with other regional partners taken on a range of other functions. In particular a number of chambers have taken on responsibility for producing the regional sustainable development framework, and regional planning guidance.
The regional governance White Paper 'Your Region, Your Choice' contains proposals to enhance the role of both the regional chambers and Government offices. These include providing direct funding to chambers for the purpose of regional planning, central Government support for the chamber in integrating regional strategies, and enhancing the responsibilities of Government offices in a wide range of areas.
§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what(a) guidelines and (b) requirements are placed on (i) regional chambers and (ii) Government offices of the regions, with regard to their allocation of Government money to their different areas of responsibility; and if he will place copies in the Library. [60421]
§ Mr. RaynsfordIn respect of the regional chambers, a three year funding programme of £15 million commenced in the financial year 2001–02. The Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions issued guidance on the allocation process for the funding in July 2001. This contained guidelines as to the types of projects that might be funded and how the bidding process would work. This was updated and re-issued in February 2002. Each chamber is issued with a grant agreement letter, setting out the requirements and limitations under which the funding is provided. I am placing a copy of the most recent guidance in the Library.
Sponsor Departments have transferred resources to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in respect of the running costs for the RCU/GO network. The Regional Co-ordination Unit allocates these resources to individual Government offices for the regions each year.
My Department and other sponsor Departments delegate funds directly to the Government offices in respect of programmes they deliver on our behalf.
Programme and running costs funds are allocated and managed in accordance with the principals of Government Accounting, appropriate departmental guidance and other 1302W guidance specific to individual programmes. The activities and objectives that Government offices undertake in behalf of sponsor Departments with the resources allocated are set out in the corporate plan for the RCU/GO network.