MAY 2007

The new Yorkshire Futures discussion forums are now live. The service is free, easy to use and is open to anyone who registers. The current discussion forums are:

• Yorkshire Futures Forum (General Discussion)
• Sub Regions Forum (includes GIS),
• Research Forum (includes Futures Research)
• Acxiom Lifestyle Data Forum (Subscribers only)

To access the forums and to register please use link to website in right-hand column.

MARCH 2007

Rural Development Plan for England

The latest briefing on the socio-economic elements of the Rural Development Plan for England (RDPE) can be accessed from the link in the right-hand column together with previous briefings and details of how to submit an Expression of Interest.

The RDPE team will be on the Yorkshire Forward stand at the Great Yorkshire Show (10th-12th July).

FEBRUARY 2007

Mapping Innovation Capabilities

SQW Consultants were commissioned by the Yorkshire & Humber Key Cities Group to map innovation capabilities in the five key cities and the three city regions in the Yorkshire & Humber Region.

The report (which can be downloaded from Related Links) presents the findings and recommendations of the study, which was co-ordinated through Leeds City Council and the Association of West Yorkshire Universities.  The 'innovation picture' in Yorkshire & Humber drew on earlier work at regional and city levels, as well as desk research and interviews undertaken for this study.  The aim was to provide a city and city-region perspective which would be a constructive counterpoint to the then-emerging Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS) (see Related Downloads).  The key challenges in increasing innovation were highlighted from different spatial and institutional perspectives, and a coherent set of actions was proposed to tackle these challenges.

JANUARY 2007

Strategic Economic Assessment (SEA)

The Strategic Economic Assessment (SEA) for West Yorkshire has now been completed. A copy of the full document can be accessed from the link in the right-hand column.

The SEA is an economic audit of the sub region. It draws upon statistics, evaluation and other research evidence to provide a detailed picture of the economic position in the sub region. The SEA looks at the sub regional economy in the regional, national and global context, exploring recent trends and the potential impact of forecast future change. It also provides a summary of investment being made in the subregion, identifying gaps and opportunities. The role of the SEA is to provide the evidence base to inform the process of Sub Regional Investment Planning. The SEA will also provide partners with the information and analysis they require to inform their own investment decisions. In order to do this, key economic messages are highlighted throughout the document, and the implications for the achievement of the Regional Economic Strategy objectives are outlined.

The SEA has incorporated the key available data resources, both official statistics and locally generated data. In addition, the Regional Econometric Model has been used to provide an indication of likely future trends in the sub region.

A copy of the District Summaries can also be downloaded from the link in the right-hand column.

Opportunities and Challenges for the UK: analysis for the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review

This report, published on 27 November 2006 by HM Treasury, examines the key long-term trends, opportunities and threats that are expected to shape the UK over the next decade. It looks at demographic and socio-economic change, the changing international economic climate and the intensification of cross-border competition, the rapid pace of innovation and technological diffusion, continued global uncertainty including the ongoing threats of conflict and global poverty, and the increasing pressures on natural resources and the global climate.

For further details and the full report visit the HM Treasury website (see link in right-hand column).

Regional Consultation Event as part of the Formal Consultation of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Operational Programme (2007-2013)

The formal consultation (including a parallel Strategic Environmental Assessment consultation) has now begun on the new proposed European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Operational Programme for Yorkshire and the Humber - 2007- 2013. 

The Yorkshire and the Humber region will benefit from ERDF funding from the EU’s Regional Competitiveness and Employment objective. Total ERDF funds for the 2007 - 2013 programming period amounts to €583,581,000, with the Yorkshire and the Humber region receiving €312,540,000 and the South Yorkshire phasing in region receiving €270,041,000. 

As part of this formal consultation, a regional consultation event will be held on Wednesday 24 January 2007 at the Royal Armouries, Leeds, from 9.30am – 12.45pm. The event will provide delegates with an overview of the current draft ERDF Operational Programme, as well as the opportunity to comment and provide final input on the final draft version and learn about the next steps in the process of its development.

For further information please contact Patrick Heffron on: pheffron.goyh@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk.  You can download the programme from the link in the right-hand column.

DECEMBER 2006

Leeds City Region Development Programme

A copy of the City Region Development Programme, which sets out the framework for maximising economic growth and competitiveness in the Leeds City Region, together with accompanying Appendices can be accessed via the website www.leeds.gov.uk/leedscityregion.

SEPTEMBER 2006

Weblog Link Re Yorkshire & The Humber 2007-2013 ERDF Programme

Link to the weblog that allows the public to access and comment upon the current draft can be accessed from right-hand column.

Regional Innovation Strategy

This consultation document describes the Regional Innovation Strategy which has been developed by Yorkshire Science, the Science and Innovation Council for the Yorkshire and Humber region. The document has been constructed on the basis that the region needs to accelerate towards a knowledge-driven economy, with innovation as its primary engine. Furthermore, it has been developed to be fully aligned with the objectives outlined in the Regional Economic Strategy document which has recently been published. The document articulates a VISION for the region, where innovation is the primary driver for change, asserts the GOALS to realise the vision, describes the STRATEGY to achieve the goals, and gives details of the ACTIONS required to accomplish the strategy.  Please see link in right-hand column.

JULY 2006

A Draft Version of the West Yorkshire SEA is now available for comment.

As you will be aware the Strategic Economic Assessment (SEA) for West Yorkshire has been in preparation over the last couple of months by EKOS Consulting working with Yorkshire Forward and the West Yorkshire Economic Partnership.

Following the recent presentation by EKOS where comments and feedback provided by partners have been taken on board, a draft version of the SEA is now available at link in the right hand column.

Comments are now being sought on the draft chapters, particularly where any gaps in the analysis can be substantiated through data, evidence or reports (copies of which should be attached to any comments); or any inaccuracies flagged up.

Comments should be emailed to Laura Lane at EKOS Consulting laura.lane@ekosconsulting.co.uk by midday on Monday 21 August, 2006.

Copies of the presentation are also available from the same web page.

The Economic Partnership wish to circulate to as wide a circulation list as possible, however please feel free to circulate this information within your own organisation and networks as appropriate.

The final version of the SEA is expected to be published by the end of August.