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Roger Jones OBE
Chairman: Cadeirydd
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| 4 July 2003 |
Secretary to the Richard Commission
Caradog House
1-6 St Andrew Place
CARDIFF
CF10 3BE |
| Dear Sir |
Richard Commission: Views And Experience Of The Welsh
Development Agency
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| On behalf of the Board of the
Welsh Development Agency the following written statement
of our views is submitted to assist in the preparation
of your report on the powers and electoral arrangements
for the National Assembly. |
| Background |
| The Agency was set up by an Act
of Parliament of 1975 with wide-ranging functions and
powers for furthering economic development in Wales.
These powers were extended by the Government of Wales
Act 1998, which established the National Assembly, to
cover social and community powers enjoyed by the former
Development Board for Rural Wales which was merged with
the Agency (along with the Land Authority for Wales) under
this legislation. |
| Views On Powers |
| The agency's key aims and objectives
are outlined in its Corporate Plan with detailed activities,
their outputs and funding sources set out in the annual
Operational Plan. Both of these documents are considered
by the Assembly's Economic Development Committee, and
approved by the Minister. In pursuit of these objectives
and in devising appropriate activities, the Agency has
found the powers contained in the legislation referred
to above as being wholly adequate in meeting our needs.
These activities range from support for indigenous businesses,
to inward investment, to community-led regeneration.
It is, therefore, the considered view of the Board that
the powers under existing legislation cover both the current
and foreseen role of the Agency in helping increase and
spread prosperity across Wales. |
| General Experiences |
| With the advent of the National
Assembly the Agency Board, Executive and staff have developed
close working relations at all levels. As Chairman
I have a formal monthly meeting with the Minister for
Economic Development and Transport as well as ad hoc meetings
on specific matters. The Minister also attends Agency
Board Meetings on a regular basis. |
| Relationships between Assembly
officials and Agency staff are well established with significant
Agency input into Welsh Assembly Government policy formulation.
This is not confined to economic development as the Agency's
remit extends to rural and social inclusion issues.
Hence, regular Agency attendance at meetings of the Agricultural
and Rural, Local Government and Culture Committees, as
well as the Regional Committees of the Assembly.
All this combines to bring increased openness and transparency
to our relations with the Assembly when compared to our
modus operandi with the former Welsh Office. |
| Specific Experience |
| There are particular incidences
that the Agency has encountered with regard to powers
which fall outside the remit of the Assembly. Firstly,
with regard to the approval of energy generation projects
over a prescribed power output level. From our discussions
with companies in Wales this requirement to make applications
to Whitehall for generation and planning permissions is
becoming increasingly onerous, particularly with the increased
level of activity in the renewable energy field.
Secondly, relating to the lack of devolved powers to the
Environmental Agency Wales for addressing specifically
Welsh Issues. |
| Conclusion |
| The Agency Board welcomes this
opportunity to forward both general and specific comments
on the powers of the Assembly, and to confirm that we
express no particular views on the electoral arrangements. |
| Yours faithfully |
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| Roger Jones |
AWDURDOD DATBLYGU CYMRU
PLAS GLYNDWR, FFORDD Y BRENIN
CAERDYDD, CF10 3AH
FFON: 029 20 828667
FFACS: 029 20 368298
EBOST: Helen.Manson@wda.co.uk |
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WELSH DEVELOPMENT
AGENCY
PLAS GLYNDWR, KINGSWAY
CARDIFF, CF10 3AH
TEL: 029 20828667
FAX: 029 20 368298
EMAIL: Helen.Manson@wda.co.uk
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