The Sub-national Review of Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR) outlines Government proposals to transfer Regional Assembly responsibilities for regional planning, regional housing and regional transport to the unelected Regional Development Agency (RDA). The Assembly is opposed to this because it believes key planning decisions should be led by elected and accountable local councillors. The make up of the Assembly is two thirds councillors and one third representatives from the social, environmental and business sectors.

Government recommends that accountability powers, including scrutinising SEEDA's work, go to a group of local authorities.

Government's original SNR plans were published in July 2007, followed by an update document in December 2007. It finally published the full SNR consultation document on 31 March 2008. Consultation closed on 20 June 2008.

In June 2008, the Assembly submitted its response to Government which drew in part on an opinion poll carried out in spring 2008. The poll showed that most residents want to see big regional planning decisions led by councillors.
Assembly response to SNR consultation - 135 KB

ERN Submission (June 2008) - 1.42 MB

Audio Files

Listen to former Assembly Chairman Cllr Keith Mitchell commenting on Government's SNR plans:

1. Ipsos MORI Poll - Who should decide big planning decisions? - 250 KB
2. Government contradicting its own community empowerment policy - 200 KB
3. No to planning powers to quango of business people - 91 KB
4. Councillors balance social, economic and environmental needs - 97 KB
5. Predicted Government reaction to Assembly views - 204 KB