England's RDAs
Regional development agencies guide economic development at a
strategic level. This means they work in close partnership with the
public and private sector to create the conditions for lasting
economic success across their respective region. They also operate
on a national level with ministers and civil servants, acting as
the interface between businesses and the Government.
Every six months responsibility for representing national
interests on issues of economic development falls to a particular
RDA, in the manner of a rotating ‘presidency’.
Between 1 April and 30 September 2010 the South West RDA will
effectively be acting as the ‘lead’ for the whole RDA network.
This role involves additional liaising with the Government
officials and other national bodies to:
- Ensure interested parties understand RDAs’ support for economic
development
- Influence policy development relevant to the RDA network, such
as how regional development agencies contribute towards the
Budget
- Comment on behalf of all RDAs on economic development
issues
Sir Harry Studholme, Chair of the South West RDA and
currently Chair of England’s RDAs, says: ‘A key part of our job as
regional development agencies is to keep a weather-eye on the
future and support businesses to identify and meet long-term
challenges.
A Government of whatever political persuasion has a need to
understand the whole economy and its complexity. To provide the
right type of support to businesses and nurture the knowledge and
skills to build a diverse and highly productive economy, the
Government needs expertise – expertise of the quality and authority
that RDAs have been well placed to provide.
The South West RDA is proud to accept this role on behalf of the
whole RDA network. We aim to share our knowledge and intelligence
to make sure that Government interventions in areas relevant to
RDAs are timely, strategic and supportive.’
Read more about England's RDAs at www.englandsrdas.com.