Regional observatories are partnerships established by the Regional Development Agencies to create, share and disseminate data and intelligence about their region. The Regional Development Agencies Act (1998) provided this description of the RDA function:
leadership in developing and implementing regional economic strategies... developing a fuller understanding of regional economies, including research, in an expanded form, of the function now carried out by the Government Offices [http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp98/rp98-007.pdf]
Each region has approached the need to understand its economy in a different way, leading to a wide variety in the scope, size and operation of the research function, commonly known as the regional observatory.
In 2001, the Association of Regional Observatories was created by its member organisations, gaining funding from the English Regions Network to support a coordinator position in 2002, now funded by member contributions.
Structure
The Association is a member organisation with no legal status. The Chairmanship of the Association rotates every two years, with a Chair being appointed by agreement of the Board from amongst its members. The Chair is supported by a Vice Chair, who is expected to become Chair subsequently.
The Board meets five times a year, with meetings hosted by all regions in turn. ONS Regional Statisticians have a standing invitation, with observers from other organisations invited to attend as appropriate. External speakers are also invited to address the Board, to provide information on new projects or work, or to discuss issues of joint interest. During the past twelve months, speakers have included:
- Dr Henry Overman, Director of the Spatial Economics Research Centre
Kevin Williamson, Chief Executive of the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit
Martin Stone, CLG, on the Data Interchange Hub project
Niall Watson, DEFRA, on the INSPIRE European legislation
Kathrin Jakobsen, Head of the Hordaland District Council statistics team, Norway
The Chair is also responsible for line management of the Coordinator, who acts as Secretary to the Board and supports the activities of the Association.
Finance
The activities of the Association, and the employment of the Coordinator, are currently funded by member contribution. The level is set by the Board, and is currently £7000 per annum. The Association carries a surplus created by a hiatus in the employment of a Coordinator (during 2006) and this acts as a financial reserve.
The Association's balance on April 1st 2008 was £147,899.42, which included a number of contributions for the financial year 2008-9. Anticipated expenditure during the financial year 2008-9 is XX, with an anticipated balance on March 31st 2009 of XX.
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