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Councils are to be given a new, strengthened role in boosting the economy, under new plans published for the sub-national review (SNR) this week. In a U-turn to government plans to leave councils out of regional planning matters in favour of the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), the powers – along with creating a single regional strategy – will now be shared between the RDAs and local authority ‘leaders boards'. The SNR – which is widely expected to be carried forward into legislation in the next parliamentary session – will also put a duty on large councils to assess the economic situation of their local areas. Outlining the new proposals, which will give RDAs a regional overview, and delegate powers down to the local level. Local government minister John Healey said: ‘Every community, town, city and region needs to play its part in dealing with the current economic climate and also prepare for economic growth in the future.' Mr Healey described the SNR response as a ‘set of principles for evolutionary devolution'. But he was obviously disappointed with the SNR consultation, claiming the responses had been ‘bedevilled by organisational self-interest' and concentrated on ‘process rather than purpose'. The SNR includes: * a new duty on local authorities to assess the economy in their own area * new legal powers to help councils work together on economic development * a new local authority leaders board to work at a regional level and take over the accountability from the regional assemblies * a streamlined regional planning process, with RDAs and council leaders boards * a joint duty on RDAs and the Local Authority Leaders Board to prepare and agree a single strategy for each region.

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WHITEHALL

Bigger role is set for councils in new SNR

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