Policy Press
Twelve The problem of regional governance
-
John Tomaney
Abstract
The debate about the reform of the governance of the English regions has tended to hinge on two related assumptions. The first of these is that an extensive tier of government exists within the English regions in the form of a plethora of government departments, quangos and other bodies. To a greater or lesser degree, the policies and actions of these agencies are assumed to provide the framework for regional development. The second assumption is that the fragmented structure of bodies at the regional level contributes to a failure of governance which produces poor public policy outcomes (see NECC, 1999; NEA, 2001). The fragmented character of the policy-making process – together with arguments about the democratic deficit – are the lynchpin of the case for the reform of regional governance in England. Advocates of elected Regional Assemblies, however, have tended to assume rather than demonstrate the existence of governance failure in the English regions. Recently the structure and performance of this existing tier of regional governance has come under more scrutiny in the light of evolving debates about regional governance (for an earlier analysis of regional government, see Hogwood, 1982).
This chapter aims to contribute some empirical detail to the debate about regional governance. It seeks to describe the evolving pattern of governance in the English regions, highlighting emerging and likely future trends. It draws on a detailed study of the patterns and processes of regional governance in North East England1. Firstly, however, it begins with an examination of some recent contributions to the debate about regional governance in England.
Abstract
The debate about the reform of the governance of the English regions has tended to hinge on two related assumptions. The first of these is that an extensive tier of government exists within the English regions in the form of a plethora of government departments, quangos and other bodies. To a greater or lesser degree, the policies and actions of these agencies are assumed to provide the framework for regional development. The second assumption is that the fragmented structure of bodies at the regional level contributes to a failure of governance which produces poor public policy outcomes (see NECC, 1999; NEA, 2001). The fragmented character of the policy-making process – together with arguments about the democratic deficit – are the lynchpin of the case for the reform of regional governance in England. Advocates of elected Regional Assemblies, however, have tended to assume rather than demonstrate the existence of governance failure in the English regions. Recently the structure and performance of this existing tier of regional governance has come under more scrutiny in the light of evolving debates about regional governance (for an earlier analysis of regional government, see Hogwood, 1982).
This chapter aims to contribute some empirical detail to the debate about regional governance. It seeks to describe the evolving pattern of governance in the English regions, highlighting emerging and likely future trends. It draws on a detailed study of the patterns and processes of regional governance in North East England1. Firstly, however, it begins with an examination of some recent contributions to the debate about regional governance in England.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of tables and figures v
- Acknowledgements vii
- List of contributors ix
- Introduction 1
- Regional government in England: reviewing the evidence base 11
- New Labour and the evolution of regionalism in England 25
- Yorkshire (and the Humber) 45
- Institutional collaboration in the West Midlands region 63
- England’s North West 81
- The South West 95
- Regionalism in the East of England 109
- The South East region? 125
- Regionalism in North East England 137
- Regional strategy development in the East Midlands 147
- The problem of regional governance 159
- Elected regional government: the issues 173
- Barnett plus needs: the regional spending challenge in Britain 187
- Conclusion: prospects for regionalism 207
- Index 219
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of tables and figures v
- Acknowledgements vii
- List of contributors ix
- Introduction 1
- Regional government in England: reviewing the evidence base 11
- New Labour and the evolution of regionalism in England 25
- Yorkshire (and the Humber) 45
- Institutional collaboration in the West Midlands region 63
- England’s North West 81
- The South West 95
- Regionalism in the East of England 109
- The South East region? 125
- Regionalism in North East England 137
- Regional strategy development in the East Midlands 147
- The problem of regional governance 159
- Elected regional government: the issues 173
- Barnett plus needs: the regional spending challenge in Britain 187
- Conclusion: prospects for regionalism 207
- Index 219
