Who’s doing what?

Following the many changes in public sector departments, there may be some confusion over who is now responsible for what, when, where and how in terms of public funding. Information is still limited and will only become clear after the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR07) scheduled for the autumn. But in preparation, here is a summary of the changes:

Who? The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR)

What? BERR replaces the Department for Trade and Industry and is responsible for enterprise, business relations, regional development, fair markets and energy policy. The department also has responsibility for regional development agencies and for meeting the Treasury’s public service agreement target on narrowing regional disparities.

When? Details of when and how funding will be distributed will be available after CSR07, but the department will continue to deliver its objectives through the former DTI’s five-year programme.

How? BERR aims to improve the economic performance of the regions and will deliver funding through a series of operational programmes. It drives regulatory reform and works across government and with the regions to raise levels of UK productivity.

Who? Communities and Local Government (CLG)

What? It replaces the ODPM and sets UK policy on local government, housing, urban regeneration, planning and fire and rescue.

When? It is already operational, but its allocations will become clearer after CSR07.

How? Its remit is to build more and better homes, improve public services, regenerate and create more jobs, work to produce a sustainable environment and tackle antisocial behaviour. CLG provides funding both through its own initiatives and via departmental bodies.

Who? The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS)

What? DIUS brings together functions from the former Department for Trade and Industry and the Department for Education and Skills. It promotes investment in research, science, innovation and skills.

When? Details are limited and more information will be available over the coming months.

How? It will deliver funding through a number of defined objectives, including sustaining and developing a world-class research base, supporting innovation across all sectors of the economy, and raising participation and attainment by young people and adults in post-16 education.

Who? The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)

What? This new department is responsible for improving all aspects of policy affecting children and young people including children’s services, families, schools, education for ages 14 to 19 and the Respect taskforce. It replaces some of the functions of the former Department for Education and Skills.

When? The department is operational but still in its infancy. More information will be available after CSR07.

How? DCSF focuses on raising standards so that more children and young people reach expected levels, lifting them out of poverty and re-engaging disaffected young people.

Who? Local councils and authorities

What? More funding will be delegated from RDAs to local authorities and sub-regions. Multi-area agreements (MAAs), between two or more local authorities, their partners and government will allow sub-regions to enter into agreements and partnerships to suit local needs.

When? Following CSR07 and as the regional strategies develop, more information will be available.

How? Local authorities will be responsible for agreeing the regional strategies with their RDA, but will have more control over the distribution of funds. They will have enhanced scrutiny powers over RDAs. There will also be a return of sixth-form funding to local education authorities from the Learning and Skills Council and statutory city regions to promote economic development.

Who? The Homes and Communities Agency

What? The Housing Corporation and English Partnerships will merge to form the agency. Its remit will include delivery in the areas of decent homes, housing market renewal, housing PFI, housing growth and urban regeneration.

When? Estimated date for merger is spring 2009.

How? It will provide advisory input into the development of the regional strategy and will be responsible for more than £4bn of public spending. It will also provide support for local authorities. More information about how the funding will be distributed will be announced after CSR07.

Who? Regional assemblies

What? They oversee spending on housing, transport and planning in each of the nine regions, but their role will be transferred to regional development agencies. These unelected regional assemblies were set up in the late 1990s and have proved very unpopular.

When? Their roles look set to be transferred from 2010.

How? The nine English RDAs will take on many of the powers of regional assemblies, with a government minister appointed for each region.

Who? Regional development agencies

What? RDAs will take on a more strategic role and will be responsible for developing an integrated single regional strategy, promoting sustainable economic development for their own region. This involves responsibility for co-ordinating jobs, economic growth, housing, planning and environmental objectives.

When? RDAs will still draw up the regional economic strategies for their region until the government has consulted on moving to the integrated regional strategy. Each regional economic strategy has been or will be reviewed by 2008.

How? RDAs will delegate more funding to local authorities or sub-regions and take on more of a strategic role. Their sponsorship frameworks will be simplified, resulting in a single objective that will focus on overall regional economic performance.