Regional Agenda

The regional agenda is a fast developing one. Historically there have been different perceptions about what regions are but, with the governments push towards a more devolved and decentralised government, with the support of English regions and the rolling out of the “modernising local democracy agenda”, more and more strategic and policy decisions will be taken at the regional level. The most notable additions to the regional structures were Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and Regional Assemblies. Government sees RDAs as key to addressing the “economic deficit” in regions and driving up regions Gross Domestic Product to better compete with European regions. Regional Assemblies were initially seen as addressing the “democratic deficit” created when RDAs were set up accountable directly to ministers. Additionally government has placed an increasing emphasis on the participation of the voluntary and community sectors and local communities in tackling social exclusion both through contributing towards policy and in the provision of services.