English Regionalism: Rhetoric or Substance? Evaluating Decision Making Procedures for Regional Funding Allocations
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bristol
Department Name: Sch for Policy Studies
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Sarah Ayres (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Ayres S
(2009)
Deal-making in Whitehall Competing and complementary motives behind the Review of Sub-national Economic Development and Regeneration
in International Journal of Public Sector Management
Ayres S
(2013)
A Whitehall perspective on decentralisation in England's emerging territories
in Local Economy: The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit
Ayres S
(2012)
Managing Complexity and Uncertainty in Regional Governance Networks: A Critical Analysis of State Rescaling in England
in Regional Studies
Ayres S
(2011)
Promoting decentralized and flexible budgets in England: Lessons from the past and future prospects
in Public Policy and Administration
Ayres S
(2008)
Transforming regional governance in Europe
in Policy & Politics
Graham Pearce (Co-Author)
(2011)
Recalibrating the sub-national tier of governance in england under the coalition
Great Britain: Parliament: House Of Commons: Business And Enterprise Committee
(2009)
Regional Development Agencies and the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill: Fourth Report of Session 2008-09: v. 2: Oral and Written Evidence
Ian Stafford (author)
(1900)
Enhancing regional governance capacity in the UK : a comparison of England's decentralised and devolved arrangements
PEARCE G
(2007)
REGIONAL GOVERNANCE IN ENGLAND: A CHANGING ROLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S REGIONAL OFFICES?
in Public Administration
| Description | In the absence of political devolution in England, the UK Government has adopted a process of administrative decentralisation by extending the role of the regional tier in policy development and delivery. Regional Funding Allocations (RFAs) were introduced in 2005 and are 'intended to enable regions to better align their strategies and provide an enhanced input into Government policy development and public spending decisions that affect the regions' (HMT et al, 2005: 3). For the first time major funding streams for economic development, housing, transport and, more recently, skills would be examined jointly by key partners to promote a more cohesive approach to the long-term management of resources. This research has examined the scope and feasibility of RFAs. Drawing on theories of network management and collaborative governance a Regional Governance Assessment Framework has been developed to examine how decisions about RFAs have been made. Findings indicate that significant progress has been made by regional actors in prioritising programmes within the confines of allocated budgets. However, the research has also illustrated the weaknesses in England of the ability to coordinate funding streams at an appropriate spatial scale and underlines the need for future regional strategies to be attached to funds and mechanisms for delivery. Whitehall's tentative step towards establishing regional budgets has failed to deliver the discretion and flexibility required to develop territorially distinct policy solutions. Given the severity of the economic challenges facing the UK, a more robust approach to promoting sustainable economic development and managing England's territories will need to be found. |
| Exploitation Route | To examine the process of devolution and decentralisation in England |
| Sectors | Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Description | There has been a strong emphasis on research dissemination and practitioner engagement from the start of this research. Practitioners involved in RFAs have been the direct beneficiaries of timely and in-depth empirical findings. Policy makers have actively sought information emanating from this project with a view to (i) appraising government policy on devolution and decentralisation (ii) developing policy guidance on RFAs in Whitehall (iii) formulating regional submissions on RFAs and (iv) using findings as an evidence base to lobby government departments for policy change. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2008 |
| Sector | Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | A Whitehall perspective on regional funding allocations : presentation to the East Midlands Sub-national Review Strategic Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One of a series of eight presentations given to relevant stakeholders in each of the eight English regions outside London between April and July 2008. Policy makers and practitioners involved in Regional Funding Allocations were able to base their regional submissions on timely academic research into Whitehall's motives and aspirations for the scheme. Practitioners were, therefore, more informed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
| Description | A Whitehall perspective on regional funding allocations : presentation to the East of England High-level Strategy Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One of a series of eight presentations given to relevant stakeholders in each of the eight English regions outside London between April and July 2008. Policy makers and practitioners involved in Regional Funding Allocations were able to base their regional submissions on timely academic research into Whitehall's motives and aspirations for the scheme. Practitioners were, therefore, more informed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
| Description | A Whitehall perspective on regional funding allocations : presentation to the North East Sub-national Review Strategy Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One of a series of eight presentations given to relevant stakeholders in each of the eight English regions outside London between April and July 2008. Policy makers and practitioners involved in Regional Funding Allocations were able to base their regional submissions on timely academic research into Whitehall's motives and aspirations for the scheme. Practitioners were, therefore, more informed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
| Description | A Whitehall perspective on regional funding allocations : presentation to the North West Sub-national Review Strategy Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One of a series of eight presentations given to relevant stakeholders in each of the eight English regions outside London between April and July 2008. Policy makers and practitioners involved in Regional Funding Allocations were able to base their regional submissions on timely academic research into Whitehall's motives and aspirations for the scheme. Practitioners were, therefore, more informed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
| Description | A Whitehall perspective on regional funding allocations : presentation to the South East Regional Funding Allocations Working Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One of a series of eight presentations given to relevant stakeholders in each of the eight English regions outside London between April and July 2008. Policy makers and practitioners involved in Regional Funding Allocations were able to base their regional submissions on timely academic research into Whitehall's motives and aspirations for the scheme. Practitioners were, therefore, more informed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
| Description | A Whitehall perspective on regional funding allocations : presentation to the South West Single Regional Strategy Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One of a series of eight presentations given to relevant stakeholders in each of the eight English regions outside London between April and July 2008. Policy makers and practitioners involved in Regional Funding Allocations were able to base their regional submissions on timely academic research into Whitehall's motives and aspirations for the scheme. Practitioners were, therefore, more informed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | A Whitehall perspective on regional funding allocations : presentation to the West Midlands Regional Funding Allocations Working Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One of a series of eight presentations given to relevant stakeholders in each of the eight English regions outside London between April and July 2008. Policy makers and practitioners involved in Regional Funding Allocations were able to base their regional submissions on timely academic research into Whitehall's motives and aspirations for the scheme. Practitioners were, therefore, more informed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
| Description | A Whitehall perspective on regional funding allocations : presentation to the Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Officers Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One of a series of eight presentations given to relevant stakeholders in each of the eight English regions outside London between April and July 2008. Policy makers and practitioners involved in Regional Funding Allocations were able to base their regional submissions on timely academic research into Whitehall's motives and aspirations for the scheme. Practitioners were, therefore, more informed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |