Regional Development Agency
Encyclopedia
In the United Kingdom
, a regional development agency (RDA) is a non-departmental public body
established for the purpose of development, primarily economic, of one of England
's Government Office
regions. There is one RDA for each of the NUTS
level 1 regions of England
. Similar activities are carried out in Wales by the Welsh Assembly Government
Department of Economy and Transport, in Northern Ireland by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
and in Scotland by Scottish Enterprise
and Highlands and Islands Enterprise
.
In 2009 a study by accountants PriceWaterhouseCoopers
showed that RDAs generate £4.50 for the local economy for every £1 of public spending.
In June 2010 the UK government announced plans to abolish the RDAs by April 2012, with a view to future economic development being undertaken by Local Enterprise Partnership
s.. There will be no direct replacement for the English Regional Development Agencies and the Local Enterprise Partnerships will not receive any funding from central government (in contrast to the substantial budgets administered by the RDAs).
The funding from these departments is pooled, and then allocated to the different RDAs. The total funding known as the 'Single Pot' is as below.
The RDAs have taken over responsibility from Government Offices for administering European Union
regional development funds, but the enlargement of the EU means this is likely to reduce in its significance to the UK from 2013.
(BIS), the sole exception being the London Development Agency
(LDA), which reports directly to the Mayor of London
and the London Assembly
.
Each RDA is led by a Chair and a Board of 15 people, appointed by BIS ministers (except in London, where the Mayor appoints). The RDA Chairs are all business people, while the Boards are made up of representatives of business, local government, trade unions and voluntary organisations.
The day to day running of the RDA is the responsibility of the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive is appointed by the Board, subject to approval by BIS ministers (or the London Mayor in the case of the LDA).
for formal approval.
The RDAs seek to achieve their objectives in a variety of ways. The most obvious of these is by funding projects aimed at addressing them, either directly from the RDA, or indirectly through a funded body. Secondly, they seek to influence other stakeholders in the region to take action themselves. Thirdly, they seek to influence the policies of central government where they might impact on the Region.
The RDAs work together in a number of areas, with different RDAs taking the 'lead' role in varying policy areas. Additionally, the RDAs jointly fund a central secretariat to co-ordinate this activity. Finally, the three northern RDAs (Northwest Regional Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward and One NorthEast) collaborate on The Northern Way
.
Each RDA has a Science and Industry Council (SIC) made up of business, university and public sector experts. This SIC advises the RDA on Science and Innovation Investments. Each region has a slightly different focus, but all SICs contribute to the national Technology Strategy http://www.innovateuk.org/ourstrategy.ashx (owned by the Technology Strategy Board
). This is done via a Strategic Advisory Group on which the Chairs of each Science and Industry Council sit.
-LibDem coalition government
has announced its intentions to abolish the existing RDAs as part of cost-saving plans outlined in the June 2010 emergency UK Budget. The new administration will encourage the formation of Local Enterprise Partnership
s (LEPs) to carry out some of the functions currently carried out by RDAs. In Greater London
, these responsibilities may be assumed by the Mayor of London
. This can be understood in the wider context of the coalition government dismantling elements of regional government including reducing support for the government offices and ceasing funding the Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships (RIEPs)
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, a regional development agency (RDA) is a non-departmental public body
Non-departmental public body
In the United Kingdom, a non-departmental public body —often referred to as a quango—is a classification applied by the Cabinet Office, Treasury, Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive to certain types of public bodies...
established for the purpose of development, primarily economic, of one of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
's Government Office
Government Office
Government Offices for the English Regions were established in 1994 by the John Major administration. Until 2011, they were the primary means by which a wide range of policies and programmes of the Government of the United Kingdom were delivered in the regions of England.There were Government...
regions. There is one RDA for each of the NUTS
Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics
The Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics or Nomenclature of Units for Territorial Statistics is a geocode standard for referencing the subdivisions of countries for statistical purposes...
level 1 regions of England
Regions of England
In England, the region is the highest tier of sub-national division used by central Government. Between 1994 and 2011, the nine regions had an administrative role in the implementation of UK Government policy, and as the areas covered by elected bodies...
. Similar activities are carried out in Wales by the Welsh Assembly Government
Welsh Assembly Government
The Welsh Government is the devolved government of Wales. It is accountable to the National Assembly for Wales, the legislature which represents the interests of the people of Wales and makes laws for Wales...
Department of Economy and Transport, in Northern Ireland by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is a devolved Northern Ireland government department in the Northern Ireland Executive...
and in Scotland by Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise is a sponsored non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government which encourages economic development, enterprise, innovation and investment in business...
and Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Highlands and Islands Enterprise is the Scottish Government's economic and community development agency for a diverse region which covers more than half of Scotland and is home to around 450,000 people....
.
In 2009 a study by accountants PriceWaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers is a global professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest professional services firm measured by revenues and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms....
showed that RDAs generate £4.50 for the local economy for every £1 of public spending.
In June 2010 the UK government announced plans to abolish the RDAs by April 2012, with a view to future economic development being undertaken by Local Enterprise Partnership
Local enterprise partnership
Local enterprise partnerships will replace the eight regional development agencies outside Greater London in England, under the current Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition government...
s.. There will be no direct replacement for the English Regional Development Agencies and the Local Enterprise Partnerships will not receive any funding from central government (in contrast to the substantial budgets administered by the RDAs).
Background
The RDAs were created following the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998, and have had their scope and powers enhanced in the years since. The statutory objectives of the RDAs are, at present:- to further economic development and regeneration;
- to promote business efficiency and competitiveness;
- to promote employment;
- to enhance the development and application of skills relevant to employment, and
- to contribute to sustainable development.
Funding
The RDAs are funded by six different central government departments, those being:- Department for Business, Innovation and SkillsDepartment for Business, Innovation and SkillsThe Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is a ministerial department of the United Kingdom Government created on 5 June 2009 by the merger of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform .-Ministers:The BIS...
- Department for Communities and Local GovernmentDepartment for Communities and Local GovernmentThe Department for Communities and Local Government is the UK Government department for communities and local government in England. It was established in May 2006 and is the successor to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, established in 2001...
- Department for Energy and Climate Change
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsThe Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities in the United Kingdom...
- Department for Culture, Media and SportDepartment for Culture, Media and SportThe Department for Culture, Media and Sport is a department of the United Kingdom government, with responsibility for culture and sport in England, and some aspects of the media throughout the whole UK, such as broadcasting and internet....
- UK Trade and Investment
The funding from these departments is pooled, and then allocated to the different RDAs. The total funding known as the 'Single Pot' is as below.
- 2006/2007 — £2.244 billion
- 2007/2008 — £2.297 billion
- 2008/2009 — £2.193 billion
- 2009/2010 — £2.260 billion
- 2010/2011 — £1.760 billion
The RDAs have taken over responsibility from Government Offices for administering European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
regional development funds, but the enlargement of the EU means this is likely to reduce in its significance to the UK from 2013.
Structure
Eight of the nine RDAs report to the Department for Business, Innovation and SkillsDepartment for Business, Innovation and Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is a ministerial department of the United Kingdom Government created on 5 June 2009 by the merger of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform .-Ministers:The BIS...
(BIS), the sole exception being the London Development Agency
London Development Agency
The London Development Agency is the Regional Development Agency for Greater London, England. It is a functional body of the Greater London Authority...
(LDA), which reports directly to the Mayor of London
Mayor of London
The Mayor of London is an elected politician who, along with the London Assembly of 25 members, is accountable for the strategic government of Greater London. Conservative Boris Johnson has held the position since 4 May 2008...
and the London Assembly
London Assembly
The London Assembly is an elected body, part of the Greater London Authority, that scrutinises the activities of the Mayor of London and has the power, with a two-thirds majority, to amend the mayor's annual budget. The assembly was established in 2000 and is headquartered at City Hall on the south...
.
Each RDA is led by a Chair and a Board of 15 people, appointed by BIS ministers (except in London, where the Mayor appoints). The RDA Chairs are all business people, while the Boards are made up of representatives of business, local government, trade unions and voluntary organisations.
The day to day running of the RDA is the responsibility of the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive is appointed by the Board, subject to approval by BIS ministers (or the London Mayor in the case of the LDA).
Operation
The objectives of the RDAs are set out in the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) of each region. The RES is a document created and maintained by the RDA for the whole region, i.e. it is not simply a document to guide the RDA, it is intended to guide the work of other organisations also. Each RDA updates their RES on a regular basis (approximately every three years) by consulting widely with their partners, and stakeholders in the region, including local government, voluntary organisations, private organisations, and other interested groups. The RES must be submitted to the BISDepartment for Business, Innovation and Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is a ministerial department of the United Kingdom Government created on 5 June 2009 by the merger of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform .-Ministers:The BIS...
for formal approval.
The RDAs seek to achieve their objectives in a variety of ways. The most obvious of these is by funding projects aimed at addressing them, either directly from the RDA, or indirectly through a funded body. Secondly, they seek to influence other stakeholders in the region to take action themselves. Thirdly, they seek to influence the policies of central government where they might impact on the Region.
The RDAs work together in a number of areas, with different RDAs taking the 'lead' role in varying policy areas. Additionally, the RDAs jointly fund a central secretariat to co-ordinate this activity. Finally, the three northern RDAs (Northwest Regional Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward and One NorthEast) collaborate on The Northern Way
The Northern Way
The Northern Way is a 20 year British governmental strategy to transform the economy of the North of England. It aims to bridge a £30 billion output gap between the North and the average for England....
.
Each RDA has a Science and Industry Council (SIC) made up of business, university and public sector experts. This SIC advises the RDA on Science and Innovation Investments. Each region has a slightly different focus, but all SICs contribute to the national Technology Strategy http://www.innovateuk.org/ourstrategy.ashx (owned by the Technology Strategy Board
Technology Strategy Board
The Technology Strategy Board is a UK public body operating at arm's length from the Government reporting to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills .- History :...
). This is done via a Strategic Advisory Group on which the Chairs of each Science and Industry Council sit.
Abolition and replacement
The new ConservativeConservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
-LibDem coalition government
Cameron Ministry
David Cameron is Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, after being invited by Queen Elizabeth II to form a new government after the resignation as Prime Minister of Gordon Brown on 11 May 2010. Leading a coalition government formed by the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats, the coalition...
has announced its intentions to abolish the existing RDAs as part of cost-saving plans outlined in the June 2010 emergency UK Budget. The new administration will encourage the formation of Local Enterprise Partnership
Local enterprise partnership
Local enterprise partnerships will replace the eight regional development agencies outside Greater London in England, under the current Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition government...
s (LEPs) to carry out some of the functions currently carried out by RDAs. In Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
, these responsibilities may be assumed by the Mayor of London
Mayor of London
The Mayor of London is an elected politician who, along with the London Assembly of 25 members, is accountable for the strategic government of Greater London. Conservative Boris Johnson has held the position since 4 May 2008...
. This can be understood in the wider context of the coalition government dismantling elements of regional government including reducing support for the government offices and ceasing funding the Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships (RIEPs)
Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships (RIEPs)
-What are RIEPs?:The nine regional improvement and efficiency partnerships are English public sector organisations that support councils and their partners to become more efficient, innovative and engaged with citizens...
.
List
The entries of the individual Regional Development Agencies:- East of England Development AgencyEast of England Development AgencyThe East of England Development Agency is a non-departmental public body and the regional development agency for the East of England region of England....
(EEDA), based in CambridgeCambridgeThe city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the... - East Midlands Development AgencyEast Midlands Development AgencyEast Midlands Development Agency is the regional development agency for the East Midlands region of England formed in 1999.-Structure and function:...
(emda), based in NottinghamNottinghamNottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group... - London Development AgencyLondon Development AgencyThe London Development Agency is the Regional Development Agency for Greater London, England. It is a functional body of the Greater London Authority...
(LDA) - One NorthEastOne NorthEastOne North East is the regional development agency for the North East England region.-History:It was established in April 1999. The North East receives a lot of government aid for regeneration....
(ONE), based in NewcastleNewcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne... - Northwest Regional Development AgencyNorthwest Regional Development AgencyThe Northwest Regional Development Agency is the regional development agency for the North West England region and is a non-departmental public body.....
, based in WarringtonWarringtonWarrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens... - South West of England Regional Development Agency, based in ExeterExeterExeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
- South East England Development AgencySouth East England Development AgencySEEDA, more officially the South East England Development Agency, is one of a number of regional development agencies in England. It was set up as a non-departmental public body in 1999 to promote the region and to enable a number of more difficult regeneration projects which otherwise might not...
(SEEDA), based in GuildfordGuildfordGuildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region... - Advantage West MidlandsAdvantage West Midlands-Advantage West Midlands – Regional Development Agency:Advantage West Midlands was established in 1999 as one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England. RDAs were created by the UK Government to drive sustainable economic development and social and physical regeneration through a...
, based in BirminghamBirminghamBirmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a... - Yorkshire ForwardYorkshire ForwardYorkshire Forward is the regional development agency for the Yorkshire and the Humber region of the United Kingdom. It supports the development of business in the region by encouraging public and private investment in education, skills, environment and infrastructure...
, based in LeedsLeedsLeeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
External links
- England's RDAs
- Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform - England's Regional Development Agencies: Introduction