Book Description

The Government set out its policy on regional governance in the White Paper (Cm 5511, ISBN 0101551126) published in May 2002, as part of its overall agenda of constitutional reform and devolution. This draft Regional Assemblies Bill (together with explanatory notes on the Bill and a regulatory impact assessment) is in 13 parts and includes provisions relating to the establishment, constitution, structure, role, powers, financing, accountability and monitoring of elected regional assemblies in England, as well as other functional responsibilities such as spatial planning, housing and transport. The draft Bill is accompanied by a policy statement, issued by the ODPM, which summarises the Governments policy objectives and sets out how it intends that policy to be reflected in legislation. The statement identifies policy developments since the 2002 White Paper and indicates the main issues on which further proposals are still being developed. It also provides information on aspects not included in the draft Bill but which the Government intends to address in any subsequent Bill.