Through CLG's Advisory Group for Local Economic Assesment, ARO have been invited to submit a paper outlining what Regional Observatories may be able to offer. The draft paper is below and open to all to edit and comment. The paper tries to reflect the differences in Regional Observatories and notes the relationship between ROs and RDAs varies. Rather than being divisive, the paper should highlight those issues, being up-front about what can be deleivered, where. That way we can have a paper that does represent all views and one that we can all support.
The RO offer to
support Local Economic Assessments
This paper outlines the core offer that ARO members are able
to make to support local authorities as they prepare to undertake an assessment
of their local economy.The offer falls
under two headings: facilitating discussions between local authorities as they
develop and undertake their assessments; and providing advice on data, its
availability, robustness and use.This
core offering is one that all ARO members believe they are able to provide
(recognising that London
is constituted in a different manner and may not, therefore, be in a comparable
position).Additionally, a number of
extended options are provided, reflecting the fact that some ROs would be able
to offer additional support.
Facilitating discussions amongst local authorities
1.A space to discuss shared issues; a space to
share best practice
In many cases, regional observatories already support and
facilitate networks of sub-regional partners.ARO suggests that benefit would be gained by utilising and developing
these networks, to provide local authorities with a neutral space in which they
are able to come together for discussions about issues of common interest (such
as data availability), and for the sharing of good practice.
2.A space to discuss a joint approach, or the
common use of indicators
Local authorities recognise the value of agreeing a
consistent approach when assessing their local economies, assisting the RDAs as
they devolve funding, by enabling comparisons of key information at local
authority level.A joint approach also enables
the information gathered to be feed into the evidence base underpinning a
single integrated regional strategy.ARO
suggests that ROs are able to provide a space for LAs to discuss how to achieve
a joint approach, such as by adopting a consistent methodology, or by agreement
on the use of a small number of indicators common to all LAs within a region.
3.A space to work with other regional partners
In the development of a local economic assessment, LAs will
need to work with other regional partners such as the Learning and Skills
Council, Jobcentre Plus and others.The
space for discussion facilitated by regional observatories provides an effective
way of engaging with those partners.
4.A space to discuss sub-regional collaboration
In some areas, LAs may wish to work together in order to
gain an understanding of a local economy which transcends administrative
boundaries.Regional observatories can
provide a space for LAs to explore those possibilities.
Extended offer
5.Regional observatories may, in some cases, be
able to offer advice and guidance on the topics or indicators that LAs may wish
to consider for inclusion within an economic assessment.That advice would be informed by an
understanding of the availability of robust data within that topic, and an
understanding of the factors on which the Regional Development Agency places a
priority.
Advice on data
6.Regional observatories are able to use
their significant experience of data use and analysis to advise LAs on data
availability and robustness for the indicators chosen to form part of a local
economic assessment.ROs would be
supported in this remit by the work of the ONS Regional Statistical Teams.
7.If a group of local authorities choose to
assess a number of common indicators, ROs are able to advise on the
availability and robustness of data available to support those indicators.ROs would again be supported by the ONS
Regional Statistical Teams.
8.ROs are able to offer advice on the
analytical and narrative aspects of developing a local economic assessment: providing
guidance on the analytical techniques used to interrogate different sorts of
information and data; advising on how to present the data; and providing advice
on how to draw out the implications and commentary on such data.ROs provide this support by responding to ad
hoc queries, and either by directing LAs to appropriate training or by
providing training in these areas which is made available to LAs.
Extended offer
9.ROs may be able to provide bespoke advice
to individual local authorities, advising on the indicators chosen, including the
provision of advice on appropriate data sources, analytical methods, and
commentary or narrative analysis of the data.
10.Some regional observatories may be able
to undertake work on the local economic assessment on behalf of the local
authority.At an introductory level,
this might include provision of data and analysis of a small number of indicators
(such as those agreed by LAs as priority topics for the region); at a more
advanced level, this might include bespoke commissioned research, including
undertaking additional survey work or data-gathering for the local authority,
analysis of key indicators, and provision of a full assessment with commentary.
1) In our region we are exploring the possibility of putting together a capacity development programme with our Regional Efficiency Improvement Partnership, Improvement East. Our input would be in helping get this started and perhaps running some of the courses.
2) LEA review and comment - its not obvious in your note, but ability of ROs to review and comment on a LEA is obviously useful.
3) Analytical support - in my area lots of LAs are good at collating data and providing descriptive reporting, but I have seen very little effective analysis of an economic issue or local area - e.g. looking across all the indicators to draw out key dynamics or issues in the local economy.
4) Advice and support on commissioning research. Some LAs will commission consultants to do their LEAs. Not all have the experience. We may support their commissioning, help them draw up a brief and interview consultants etc.
5) RDA requirement for core data requirements for devolved programmes/funds - In EEDA we're looking at how our funded activites fit with our new RES targets and core indicators. Its likely any funding partner will have to provide targets based on these. So it makes sense to fit them into LEAs.
Glenn Athey
Director
East of England Regional Intelligence Centre (a working title - we are rebranding in Feb 2009)
1. On a general note, I can see what you are getting at by the theme of " a space", but if we have too much reference to "space" I fear we may be seen as "empty". Can we get the same idea across by using "a place to..." or providing an "opportunity" to?
2. I like the idea of a standard and extended offer; I wonder if it might be better to put all the extended offer in one place in the paper, rather than split it as currently drafted.
3. Under regional partners, I would expect to see RDAs
4. I think we are missing a trick by not making the links to the LAAs
5. It will be difficult to capture the extended offer other than in broad principles, so I suggest you add contacts for each RO with the notion that these could be discussed in more detail within each region
We have two points from our perspective in the East Midlands:
1. On section 2, we think it needs to be made clear that ROs can facilitate discussion that involves the RDAs and the LAs (where the RDA and the RO are separate) - as there is little point LAs meeting to discuss common data to inform the Single Regional Strategy if the relevant RDA, who will be producing the strategy, is not involved.
2. On sections 6 and 7 it needs to be made clear that "some" ROs have expertise with data availability, robustness and interpretation. In other regions, the RO can facilitate LA contact with the RDA and the ONS Regional team if the expertise resides there.
Uploading ....
1) In our region we are exploring the possibility of putting together a capacity development programme with our Regional Efficiency Improvement Partnership, Improvement East. Our input would be in helping get this started and perhaps running some of the courses.
2) LEA review and comment - its not obvious in your note, but ability of ROs to review and comment on a LEA is obviously useful.
3) Analytical support - in my area lots of LAs are good at collating data and providing descriptive reporting, but I have seen very little effective analysis of an economic issue or local area - e.g. looking across all the indicators to draw out key dynamics or issues in the local economy.
4) Advice and support on commissioning research. Some LAs will commission consultants to do their LEAs. Not all have the experience. We may support their commissioning, help them draw up a brief and interview consultants etc.
5) RDA requirement for core data requirements for devolved programmes/funds - In EEDA we're looking at how our funded activites fit with our new RES targets and core indicators. Its likely any funding partner will have to provide targets based on these. So it makes sense to fit them into LEAs.
Glenn Athey
Director
East of England Regional Intelligence Centre (a working title - we are rebranding in Feb 2009)
A few thoughts as follows:-
1. On a general note, I can see what you are getting at by the theme of " a space", but if we have too much reference to "space" I fear we may be seen as "empty". Can we get the same idea across by using "a place to..." or providing an "opportunity" to?
2. I like the idea of a standard and extended offer; I wonder if it might be better to put all the extended offer in one place in the paper, rather than split it as currently drafted.
3. Under regional partners, I would expect to see RDAs
4. I think we are missing a trick by not making the links to the LAAs
5. It will be difficult to capture the extended offer other than in broad principles, so I suggest you add contacts for each RO with the notion that these could be discussed in more detail within each region
Hope this is helpful,
Rosie
We have two points from our perspective in the East Midlands:
1. On section 2, we think it needs to be made clear that ROs can facilitate discussion that involves the RDAs and the LAs (where the RDA and the RO are separate) - as there is little point LAs meeting to discuss common data to inform the Single Regional Strategy if the relevant RDA, who will be producing the strategy, is not involved.
2. On sections 6 and 7 it needs to be made clear that "some" ROs have expertise with data availability, robustness and interpretation. In other regions, the RO can facilitate LA contact with the RDA and the ONS Regional team if the expertise resides there.
Thanks
EMDA