SWRDA Demands Removal of 'Barriers to growth' - What the Hell Do they Mean?

south west | local government | opinion/analysis Wednesday April 02, 2008 08:54 by SWRDAwatch

IS SWRDA Pushing for More Power?

What is a 'Barriers to growth'? SWRDA don't say be they want to remove them. Do tell us more...

The fun sounding BERR (or Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform) recenlty pubished a big swanky report, 'Sub National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration' which has had many people glued to thier PCs eagerly devouring the amazing writings found therein. One happy reader was Colin Molton, Deputy Chief Executive of the South West RDA, who remarked;

"The Sub National Review is a critically important document that will affect the way the public sector addresses regional planning and economic development over the next decade. As such it offers a number opportunities and challenges to the RDA, our regional partners and the region's local authorities. We'll all need to work constructively together to deliver real and long-term benefits for the people and businesses of the region.

"The new Single Regional Strategy, which will be an integrated blueprint for the region, if done right, could enable us to build an economy - from planning through to housing and transport - that will remove the barriers to growth."

Barriers to growth? Could they possibly mean things like local democracy. To the plans of grand 'blue sky' thinkers such as SWRDA and their corporate pals silly little things like climate change and that local people don't always want white elephant developments or luxury flats dumpped on them. Lots of big words in the SWRDA boss's speech, but little real content, he goes on, "We continue to support an effective scrutiny process but are keen that the practical arrangements do not divert valuable resource away from delivery. In line with this, we believe it important to safeguard the commercial and long-term approach we bring to the region's economic development."

Again, you can't help asking what these 'practical arrangements' are that divert valuble resources? Is he talking about campaign groups like Stop Bristol Airport Expansion, who are diverting valuable resources by disagreeing with SWRDAs grand plans?

We should be told. Is this SWRDA grabbing for more power from the government happy to give it? Watch this space...