Prescott's regionalisation programme by stealth being sussed!

NEWS ANALYSIS: The era of the EERA, By Emma Hutchings

The Government wants 4,200 new homes built in Hertsmere, and a total of 79,600 in the county, by 2021.

The proposal has caused controversy across the region. Some believe the infrastructure — transport, schools, hopsitals, utilities, etc. — will not be able to cope with the increased population, while others believe that more affordable homes are needed so that young people can get on the property ladder.

Yet it is not up to the Government where the homes will go and how the developments will be handled. It is not even up to the county council or the borough councils. The decision rests with an organisation called the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA).

It was established by the Government in 1999, following plans laid out by the previous Conservative government. Its aim is to promote the social, economic and environmental well-being of the East of England and it does this by creating regional strategies.

There are three regional strategies — on the environment, the economy and tackling social exclusion. In addition there is the controversial East of England Plan, which sets out a framework for new housing and the accompanying development of infrastructure.

For example, the Regional Economic Strategy aims, among other things, to: create 55,800 new jobs in Hertfordshire; strengthen the economy, strengthen cultural, heritage and leisure assets; and improve the position of businesses in the global marketplace.

Although it is not directly elected, EERA's accountability is garnered by the majority of its members being councillors.

There are currently 107 members — 75 local councillors and 32 non-elected community 'stakeholder' members.

Each year the 54 local authorities in the region nominate one councillor to the assembly.
Political parties then nominate extra top-up councillors from anywhere in the region to make the membership representative of the overall votes they received at the last local elections.

Finally, stakeholder organisations nominate representatives to provide a minimum 30 per cent of the assembly membership. These include people from trade unions, environmental organisations, employee groups, the voluntary sector and the NHS.

Borehamwood has three representatives on the assembly — Labour county councillors Brian York and John Metcalf, and Conservative leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Neil Payne.

Councillor York said: "It's a bit remote. I'm always saying that Borehamwood should be related to London, not East Anglia. Borehamwood people relate to London, they don't relate to Great Yarmouth. But it's good for Borehamwood that it's got two councillors in the assembly."

Martin Saunders, Conservative councillor for Hertsmere's Aldenham West ward, said: "Our policy is to get rid of regional assemblies and return everything back to the county councils. We would be far better off in Hertfordshire without it.
"But in the mean time we've got to work with them. It does no good for Hertfordshire whatsoever.
"It's an undemocratic and unaccountable layer of local government — and it's not even local."

There are 45 members of staff employed at EERA's headquarters near Bury St Edmunds.
The assembly is funded from central government grants as well as subscriptions from local
authorities. It also has an income from providing training courses and consultancy.

Hertsmere Borough Council paid £12,203 (plus VAT)for the current financial year. Hertfordshire County Council paid £34,000.

There are no plans for a referendum on an elected regional assembly in the region, as happened in Yorkshire.
• Next week's News Analysis will focus on the debate over the East of England plan
5:36pm Thursday 10th March 2005