Newsroom
21/06/2010
Association Publishes New Manifesto
A new Manifesto for North East local Government, 'The North East Commitment', has been launched by the Association of North East Councils. The publication, which outlines some of the key priorities for North East councils, is aimed at decision-makers in Government and opinion formers and stakeholders, regionally and nationally.
Leaders and Elected Mayors have given a clear commitment to work together to bring strong political leadership and collective energy to those issues that are fundamentally important, both in the national interest and for citizens and communities in localities.
The Association's Manifesto sets out some of those issues, what it intends to do about them and how, in working with the new Government and partners, it can build on its success and meet the challenges of the future.
The overarching theme of the Manifesto is how local government in the North East is working collaboratively, including with the business community, to boost economic growth in areas such as the green economy, manufacturing, support for business, improving connectivity and skills for the future.
Local government in the North East is uniquely placed to deliver a new approach through the strength of its collaboration with the business community and a range of organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors – whose representatives have helped shape and inform the Manifesto.
Councillor Paul Watson, Chair of the Association of North East, said: "Our new Manifesto makes clear that, while we do not underestimate the challenges ahead of us, we all recognise that alongside challenges are opportunities. Our focus on economic development and regeneration, our in-depth knowledge, experience and understanding of the needs and circumstances of our area, are all important strengths for us.
"What we have in this area of the country is distinctively different from anything that exists elsewhere in the country. No other area outside London has all unitary local authorities. The North East has the advantage of just 12 strategic authorities, ensuring decision-making is more streamlined, effective and fleet of foot."
"We look forward to working with the Government on ensuring that this part of the country is able to play its full part in contributing to the success of the UK Plc."
View the new Manifesto: The North East Commitment
Notes for Editors
1. Key themes and some of the key priorities for action from the Manifesto:
Towards a Low Carbon Economy - Priorities for Action
Support from Government to reinforce our case as a key location for investment in the development of world class facilities and technologies linked to electric vehicles, wind power and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies.
Association of North East Councils' support for local authorities in delivering at least a 20% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020 as part of the Covenant of Mayors commitment, through delivery of Sustainable Energy Action Plans.
Development of a significant European Investment Bank bid, led by local authorities, to support delivery of investment in energy efficient projects that will help to reduce carbon emissions and create new economic opportunities.
Improving Connectivity - Priorities for Action:
Campaign for the North East to be linked into a high speed rail network of the future, with the advancement of eastern and western corridors in parallel, in order to promote economic growth balanced across the UK.
Press the case for our ports to play a greater role in meeting the UK's transport needs, through making better use of Northern port capacity, promoting balanced growth across the country.
Government support for maintaining access for domestic air services into the London airports, as well as to a range of European and worldwide destinations, as being vital to the economic prospects and competitiveness of the North East.
Economic Recovery
Business Support - Priorities for Action:
Government support for private sector growth through the creation of tax incremental financing to help develop infrastructure which will attract business growth.
An early dialogue between the Association of North East Councils and the new Government on opportunities for piloting innovative finance schemes in the North East.
North East councils will drive forward a programme of procurement reform, including improving standardisation across all 12 local authorities to make it easier for business to access and, wherever possible, to align public sector procurement spending with local job creation.
Manufacturing - Priorities for Action:
Support opportunities, centrally and locally, for building on our diverse and dynamic manufacturing base, as part of the North East's strategy for economic development.
Government backing for manufacturing to be part of a long term national strategy, as well as an integral part of our strategy for economic growth, by helping to re-balance the economy through increasing production and exports.
Skills, Innovation and Enterprise - Priorities for Action:
Work together to develop higher level skills to support a higher value economy; our vibrant and thriving universities mean that we are well placed to harness and leverage the complementary expertise of universities, business and Government to develop innovative capacity and collaborative approaches.
Gain Government support to address the innovation gap in this area of the country by prioritising SME intervention and develop stronger links with the Centres of Excellence and Universities.
Continue to identify opportunities to grow our GVA through placing a particular emphasis on encouraging self-employment and entrepreneurship.
Employment Opportunities - Priorities for Action:
Enter into an early dialogue with the new Government to discuss how we can best contribute to Civil Service efficiency, effectiveness and modernisation.
Continue cross-Party support and maximise opportunities for future recovery of the steel industry in the Tees Valley.
Local government will support more unemployed people into training that addresses skills shortages and promotes employment opportunities in growth areas.
Health, Well-being and Thriving Communities - Priorities for Action:
We will tackle child poverty by aligning strategy, plans and investment to promote financial inclusion as we strive to make this area the best place for children to grow up in.
We will work collaboratively to promote our strong leisure, cultural, sports and tourism offer.
Work collaboratively to tackle the supply, provision and affordability of good quality housing in places where people want to live.
2. The Association of North East Councils is the representative body for local government in the North East. It encompasses the 12 local authorities in the North East, including Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and the Tees Valley, on issues of concern to them and the communities they serve.
It is a cross-party organisation, with all of its Members democratically elected and
accountable politicians.
For further information please contact Bethan Hughes, Communications Officer, on 0191 261 3917, email bethan.hughes@northeastcouncils.gov.uk
Leaders and Elected Mayors have given a clear commitment to work together to bring strong political leadership and collective energy to those issues that are fundamentally important, both in the national interest and for citizens and communities in localities.
The Association's Manifesto sets out some of those issues, what it intends to do about them and how, in working with the new Government and partners, it can build on its success and meet the challenges of the future.
The overarching theme of the Manifesto is how local government in the North East is working collaboratively, including with the business community, to boost economic growth in areas such as the green economy, manufacturing, support for business, improving connectivity and skills for the future.
Local government in the North East is uniquely placed to deliver a new approach through the strength of its collaboration with the business community and a range of organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors – whose representatives have helped shape and inform the Manifesto.
Councillor Paul Watson, Chair of the Association of North East, said: "Our new Manifesto makes clear that, while we do not underestimate the challenges ahead of us, we all recognise that alongside challenges are opportunities. Our focus on economic development and regeneration, our in-depth knowledge, experience and understanding of the needs and circumstances of our area, are all important strengths for us.
"What we have in this area of the country is distinctively different from anything that exists elsewhere in the country. No other area outside London has all unitary local authorities. The North East has the advantage of just 12 strategic authorities, ensuring decision-making is more streamlined, effective and fleet of foot."
"We look forward to working with the Government on ensuring that this part of the country is able to play its full part in contributing to the success of the UK Plc."
View the new Manifesto: The North East Commitment
Notes for Editors
1. Key themes and some of the key priorities for action from the Manifesto:
Towards a Low Carbon Economy - Priorities for Action
Improving Connectivity - Priorities for Action:
Economic Recovery
Business Support - Priorities for Action:
Manufacturing - Priorities for Action:
Skills, Innovation and Enterprise - Priorities for Action:
Employment Opportunities - Priorities for Action:
Health, Well-being and Thriving Communities - Priorities for Action:
It is a cross-party organisation, with all of its Members democratically elected and
accountable politicians.
For further information please contact Bethan Hughes, Communications Officer, on 0191 261 3917, email bethan.hughes@northeastcouncils.gov.uk
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to be able to view the PDF files or Microsoft Office to view the Word and Excel documents. If you do not have Microsoft Office you can download the Microsoft Word Reader and the Microsoft Excel Reader.
