The Government has concluded its review of sub national economic development and regeneration, and is proposing to phase out regional assemblies, including the North West Regional Assembly, by 2010.
Councillor Tim Stoddard, Leader of Cumbria County Council and former Chair of the North West Regional Assembly, issued this statement in response:
"The case for a unitary council for the whole of Cumbria is now stronger than ever. The county council has always argued that Cumbria needs a single voice to stand up for Cumbrian issues. The North West Regional Assembly was a strong vehicle for Cumbria to fight its corner and raise concerns. Now it looks as though it won't be there in three years' time. This means we in Cumbria now need to join forces to get the best deal for the county nationally and regionally.
"The North West Regional Assembly has delivered real, tangible benefits in Cumbria. It has been the platform through which we've successfully lobbied central government and highlighted our unique and diverse needs. Put simply, without the NWRA we wouldn't have some of the roads we now have in the county, we wouldn't have the house building programme we have, and environmental issues would have risked being sidelined. It has also been an effective vehicle for lobbying for funds from Europe.
"The Government has pledged in this review to give local authorities a greater role and more powers in economic development plus an influence over the role of the Regional Development Agencies. I welcome the opportunity that this represents, and believe this enhanced responsibility needs to be managed by a more powerful, single council for the whole of Cumbria. That will be the most effective vehicle to make sure neighbourhood renewal funding can be channelled into the most deprived areas that need the money the most.
"I also note with interest that Regional Development Agencies will take on a new strategic role to develop a regional strategy which pulls together planning, economic development and other policies. Councils will be given the responsibility of agreeing to these regional strategies with the Regional Development Agencies and ensure that the democratic voice of the people is heard when making major economic decisions."
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