North East Strategy Update
Dated: 01/02/2010

Update on the North East Strategy following the passage of the bill through Parliament

NEWS E-UPDATE
February 2010

Dear Colleague,

Since our last bulletin, the Bill that has introduced the single strategy has now been passed. Having been first introduced into Parliament back in December 2008, the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill received Royal Assent on 12 November 2009, becoming an Act of Parliament.

At the heart of the new legislation is the requirement for each region outside London to develop a single, integrated regional strategy; in our region this will be known as the North East Strategy.

The local authority leaders and elected mayors board and the One North East board will be jointly and equally responsible for drafting, implementing and monitoring the delivery of the North East Strategy, working closely with public, private, third sector and community partners in our region. Clause 5 of the new legislation, which establishes the development of regional strategies, will come into force on 1 April 2010.

As part of our commitment to updating partners on the progress of this important document, a dedicated website www.northeaststrategy.co.uk is now live.

This website aims to be a two way portal for anyone who is interested in getting more involved and wants to register their interest. Visitors can also find out what preliminary work has been carried out so far including:

• how the strategy will affect North East England;
• an overview of the informal stages of the North East Strategy development - including the draft North East Analytical Report;
• the consultation process and how people can get involved; and
• the key partners involved in developing the strategy.

The draft North East Analytical Report is now available to download from the North East Strategy website.

Produced by One North East, the Association of North East Councils and regional partners, the report brings together evidence from across a range of policy areas as part of the evidence on which the North East Strategy will be based.

We would like to invite you to submit evidence if you feel that the key messages identified in the analytical report need to be changed or, alternatively, strengthened. All views and comments can be submitted using our online response form and will be collected and logged as part of the "call for evidence" process.

In order to produce a strategy that truly represents the needs and aspirations of North East England, effective engagement and participation in developing the strategy is essential.

We believe it is vital that a broad range of stakeholders from across the public, private and community and voluntary sectors have an input, as well as the wider region. By drawing on your knowledge, skills and experience we can make a better strategy for our shared future.

We encourage you to take the time to visit the North East Strategy website and we welcome your feedback as we progress.

Margaret Fay, CBE Cllr Paul Watson

Chairman

One North East

Chair
Association of North East Councils