Regional Leadership Programme

The Programme will deliver a culture of enhanced collaborative leadership amongst leading elected Members and senior officers. This will be underpinned by mutual accountability for strategy and delivery across a broad agenda, particularly economic development and regeneration, and improvement and efficiency.

Background and Context

The Programme has been constructed around the anticipated demands that the developing Sub National Review (SNR) context and new unitary local government landscape (from April 2009) will place on the elected Members of the Association of North East Councils (ANEC), and on those council and Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) leaders operating in a regional role. In particular:

• The requirement for scrutiny of the Regional Development Agency and shaping the Integrated Regional Strategy (IRS) through a regional 'Leaders Forum' in the context of SNR
• A renewed emphasis on elected Members and authorities' roles in leading economic development and regeneration at all levels (local, sub-regional and regional)
• An unprecedented opportunity to build a new climate of mutual accountability and cooperation between the 12 unitary councils/4 FRSs, with their partners at a senior strategic level
• An imperative to support elected Members in their complex and interrelated place shaping/place making roles at all spatial levels
• Supporting elected Members and senior officers to lead the improvement and efficiency agenda through ANEC and the FRS Regional Management Board.

Strong, Collective Leadership

As the precise arrangements for sub national delivery of economic development and regeneration emerge (including the arrangements for scrutiny and development of the IRS) the programme will cement joint working between councils and prepare Leaders/Mayors and senior officers to play a visible and leading role in the renewal of the region's economy.

Local government reorganisation from April 2009 presents a considerable opportunity for the 12 unitary councils of the North East to work together, firmly establishing their strong collective leadership of regional strategic priorities. With renewed focus and purpose, and by building a clear sense of mutual accountability for the delivery of key outcomes, the sector can lead a high performing region that delivers for North East citizens.

The Programme also provides an opportunity to work with council and FRS leaders to embed their leadership of the improvement and efficiency agenda so that it retains its momentum well beyond the life of the RIEP.

Forthcoming Projects

Click here to see the curent Regional Leadership projects.

Programme Contacts

RIEP Programme Manager: Emily Sweetman
Telephone: 0191 261 3919
Email: Emily.Sweetman@northeastcouncils.gov.uk

Local Authority Sponsor/Programme Board Chair:

Roger Kelly, Chief Executive, Gateshead Council