FAQ's

How will the assembly work?
Who will be elected to the regional assembly?
Won’t the Assembly attract second rate politicians who can’t make it in Westminster?
What will the assembly have responsibility for?
Won’t it be a toothless talking shop?
How much will it cost?
Where will the assembly be based?
When will all this happen?
Who is supporting the yes campaign?
Will this mean the end of historic counties?
Won’t this just be another layer of bureaucracy?
Don’t we already have a regional assembly?
Isn’t this just creating more jobs for the boys?
How can such a small body represent everyone in the North West?
Will Proportional Representation allow the BNP to win seats?
Won’t city regions benefit at the expense of rural areas?
Wouldn’t devolution work better based around city regions?
There’s no such thing as the North West!
Does anybody care about this?

How will the Assembly work?

The job of an elected regional assembly is to make the North West a better place to live and work. It will receive a Government grant of £780 million, but it will also have influence over a further £1.6 billion currently being spent by organisations with whom it will work closely, bringing the total to nearly £2.4 billion. Government Office, the Development Agency and Regional Assembly will come under the remit of the elected assembly. The business-led character of RDAs will be safeguarded.

The assembly will not strip away the powers of local councils. Neither will it diminish the authority of Westminster. The Assembly will concentrate on issues that are too big for Local Authorities to tackle and too remote for Central Government to deliver effectively. The assembly will work in partnership with both Local and Central Government to deliver better results in the areas outlined.

Who will be elected to the Assembly?

The Assembly will have between 25 and 35 members with a leader and cabinet of up to 6 elected assembly members.

The Additional Member System will be used to elect around two-thirds of members under first-past-the post, with the remainder elected from a party list.

Representatives of stakeholders and other unelected people will be involved in all aspects of an assembly’s work which do not directly involve decisions being taken. A regional assembly would be more consultative – individuals, voluntary organisations and business will all have a say. There are many ways to do this and the Assembly will have to find the way that works best in the North West, whether that is through Civic Forums or Partnership Councils or something completely new.

This is an unparalleled opportunity to engage the traditionally excluded and develop a more inclusive approach to politics that recognizes the diversity of the region whilst ensuring that issues of equality, diversity and engagement are in their proper place at the very heart of the political system.

The Government will pay for the elected assembly via a grant with financial incentives for the achievement of specific targets. The Assembly will have powers to borrow money, subject to certain limits and will be expected to contribute to their running costs via a precept on council tax, this will be subject to capping regime to prevent excessive increases.

Won’t the Assembly just attract second rate politicians who can’t make it in Westminster?

No. The North West has historically given the nation extremely capable politicians of all political persuasions.

But there is a broader point here. This is a chance to do things differently and get non-politicians involved in regional decision-making. The status quo means that if you want to enter public service, as a politician or civil servant, then just like with any other profession… you have to go to London. There are talented people in the North West and they should be encouraged to stay and prosper here.

If you believe the North West has big potential, if you are a success in business or in the community… this is the opportunity to put yourself forward. There will be tough competition for these seats and the Assembly will attract the brightest, the best, the most active and energetic people, with talent, with vision and with the best interests of the North West at heart.

What will the assembly have responsibility for?

Business and jobs
Developing the economy of the North West would be at the heart of the assembly's work. More businesses in the North West means more jobs for the North West. So to put the interests of the region at the heart of its work, the North West Regional Development Agency would become directly accountable to the regional assembly, and therefore to the people and the needs of the North West - helping to attract more new businesses and revitalise the region.

Skills
The regional assembly would work with partners to ensure that the right training is available in the region to meet the skills needs of the people in the North West. Working with local training organisations, colleges and employers, it will ensure that local people have the skills to take advantage of new job opportunities being created in the North West.

Housing
The assembly would be able to plan where to build new or improve existing housing, and would allocate new money for housing to local councils and housing associations.

Planning
The assembly would co-ordinate plans for the development and use of land in order to attract more businesses and jobs to the North West, to protect the countryside and to regenerate rundown areas.

Transport
The assembly would plan how to improve transport over the whole region. It would advise the Government on how money for transport should be spent in the region - how it should be shared among local authorities and what types of transport, such as buses and trams it should be spent on. And it would work with bodies responsible for the roads and railways to bring improvements to the region's transport infrastructure.

Fire and rescue
The assembly would be responsible for a new regional fire authority, ensuring fire and rescue services are organised in the most efficient way to protect people and property across the region.

Public health
Although the assembly would not take over the running of the National Health Service, the assembly would play an important role in promoting the health of people in the North West by ensuring that plans for housing, transport and the economy have a positive impact on public health.

Culture, tourism and sport
The assembly would be responsible for the Regional Cultural Consortium - the body that develops a strategy for culture and sport - and for promoting regional tourism. It would also promote cultural and sporting activities across the North West, contributing to the region's economy and improving people's quality of life.

Environment
The assembly would help protect and improve the environment in towns, cities and the countryside. It would work closely with key bodies such as the Environment Agency, English Nature and the Countryside Agency to ensure they reflect local needs. It would also lead in developing a strategy to deal with the region's waste.

The Deputy Prime Minister has recently announced that a series of hearings will be held throughout the North West in the lead up to the referendum at which people can voice their opinions about any other powers that should be added to the Regional Assembly. This is an opportunity to push for more. The Deputy Prime Minister quoted policing and Learning and Skills Councils as areas which could be explored.

Won’t the Assembly be a toothless talking shop?

A North West assembly will be a workshop, not a talking shop.

The Assembly will receive a Government grant of £780 million, but it will also have influence over a further £1.6 billion currently being spent by organisations with whom it will work closely, bringing the total to nearly £2.4 billion. It will have responsibility for strategic decision making over jobs, skills, housing, planning, transport, fire and rescue, public health, culture, tourism and sport and environment. If the wealth of the region is to increase and social justice be delivered to all, then responsibility for these areas is massively significant.

But this is not just a debate about powers it is about an opportunity to put an end to the status quo. To say what’s on offer is useless without more power, and therefore not to take any at all, is absolutely ridiculous.

Of course the North West should continue to seek better powers and the Deputy Prime Minister has recently announced that a series of hearings will be held throughout the region in the lead up to the referendum to encourage people to voice their opinions about any other powers that should be added to the remit of the Regional Assembly. This is an opportunity to push for more.
This is about taking a once in a lifetime opportunity which should be grabbed and made a success of so that more power will be given in the future.

How much will it cost?

It has been estimated that a Directly Elected Regional Assembly would cost £25 million per year to run. Taking into account Government subsidies, that equates to a 5p precept in the average council tax bill, per household, per week - A small price to pay for better housing, better transport and better public health services.

And the short term costs are nothing in comparison to the long term benefits which will result from decisions being made in North West, by the North West, for the North West.

There is no need for new build. No overbudget projects like Hollyrood…. There are some fantastic buildings in the North West which could be put to great use as a home for a directly elected regional assembly.

Plus, there will be cost savings when local authority boundaries are changed. One of the biggest costs at present is the hiking of council tax due to the inefficiency of the two tier system. Cheshire County Council are campaigning for a Single Unitary Authority on the basis that it could bring a saving of £17 -£23 million per year to ongoing running costs. Unitary authorities work well – Blackburn with Darwen is one of only 12 Councils nationwide to be given “Excellent, top performing council “status in the Government’s Comprehensive Performance Assessment”

Where will the Assembly be based?

It will be for the Assembly to decide where it is physically located, but the impact of it’s existence will be felt throughout the region.

When will all this happen?

• Government announces a referendum should be held in the North West.
  
• The Boundary Committee will review and make recommendations on the structure of unitary local government.
  
• Government will communicate the proposed structure of unitary local government arrangements for the region before the referendum is held.

• Referendum
  
• Yes vote means: Elections will be scheduled
  Local Government Re-organised

Who is supporting the Yes Campaign?

Yes for the North West – the Campaign for a Directly Elected Regional Assembly in the North West - brings together creative, innovative, progressively minded people from across the political spectrum, the business community, voluntary sector, community groups, faith groups, young and old alike. The Necessary Group is a group of media personalities and celebrities has affiliated itself to Yes for the North West. Click here for information about our Strategy Steering Group and messages from other supporters and the Necessary group wesbite.

Will this mean the end of historic counties?

People will continue to be proud of being Lancastrians or from Cheshire or indeed from Bury or Kirkby or Workington but it has been along time since the old historic counties have had anything to do with the structures of government and certainly nothing to do with addressing the need for a modern system of government for the needs of 7 million people in the 21st Century.

What about being better organised to face the challenges of the modern world? What about streamlining and simplifying local Government to better serve the needs of local people? And what about learning from success…. Blackburn, Blackpool, Halton… all examples of Unitary authorities that through change have begun to deliver for the people they serve.

Won’t this just be another layer of bureaucracy?

No. Regional government will deliver more streamlined policy-making with fewer politicians, making better decisions. The proposals will reduce the number of politicians. The plan is for a body made up of no more than 35 elected members - enough to represent different views and parts of the region, but small enough to be efficient and focused.

Don’t we already have a Regional Assembly?

Yes… but it is not elected. And the existing Regional Assembly has resolved to support moves toward an elected body at the earliest opportunity.

Isn’t this just creating more jobs for the boys?

No. In fact, that’s what the present system encouraged: appointed, un-elected quangos.

An elected assembly will help to bring jobs for all… men, women, old and young.

This is an unparalleled opportunity to engage the traditionally excluded and make a more inclusive approach to politics that recognizes the diversity of the region whilst promoting the equality of its citizens. The Assembly will ensure that issues of equality, diversity and engagement with those who have been excluded maintain its proper place at the very heart of our political priorities.

How can such a small body represent everyone in the North West.

Currently, there is elected local government and elected national government, but there is a huge chunk of government in the middle that is not accountable.

The Regional Assembly will work in partnership with local government to deliver for the people of the North West. It is a strategic decision making body so a streamline modern body of representatives will be able to manage the workload effectively and efficiently.

And who is representing the people of the NW now at a strategic regional level? Appointed and wholly unelected quangos, spending in excess of a billion pounds a year, with no mandate whatsoever from the people.

Won’t Proportional Representation mean parties like the BNP would win seats?

The BNP is running its own campaign for a No vote in the referendum.

Support for the BNP is concentrated in small geographic areas but over any proportional basis, therr support becomes weak.

The Yes Campaign do not want to see the BNP succeed in any way as a result of the creation of a Directly Elected North West Regional Assembly. The BNP need to be tackled head on by arguing against their policies and defeating them at the ballot base. Scare tactics from negaitve campaigners should not be allowed to mislead the public into thinking that they are risking giving the BNP a route into regional politics.

Won’t city regions benefit at the expense of rural areas?

Rural areas are often on the fringe of policy making under the current system of dominance by Westminster and Whitehall. Whilst the needs of rural communities are often at the periphery of UK Government thinking, such areas will be at the heart of the work of an elected regional assembly for the North West.

Wouldn’t devolution be better be based around city regions?

This is not just about Manchester and Liverpool which are economic powerhouses, as are all the major cities for their regions. The function of a small strategic body will be to coordinate and galvanise the whole region and this is far more beneficial than cities pursuing their own self interest. The key is cities working with the rest of their region not trying to work alone.

A recent report produced by Michael Parkinson for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister highlights the importance of this:

“City and regional competitiveness – a bridge not a barrier. The two do not conflict. We found no successful urban regions that did not have successful cities at their core. The regions which performed well were those where the Core City performed well – and vice versa. Many national and regional governments on the continent have recognised the contribution that cities make to regional economic performance. There is an imperative to develop strategies, policies and instruments that pull Core Cities and their economic hinterlands together rather than apart.”

There’s no such thing as the North West!

Of course people are proud of the local area from which we come Chester, Rochdale, Lancaster, Kendal but extensive and independent surveys have demonstrated conclusively that the people of this region understand the value of all working together – with over 90% of people questioned identified themselves as being from the North West.

Does anybody care?

It is in the interest of the No campaign to encourage apathy. Constitutional change may not be very interesting but people do care about better Health, Housing and Transport, the Economy and Jobs. This Regional Assembly is a chance for people to get involved in improving their region, their communities and their individual lives.