RDA response to CLG Committee second report on Coastal Towns
21 November 2007
The Regional Development Agencies with coastal economies are pleased that Communities and Local Government’s (CLG’s) Coastal Towns report published today recognises the need for further research into the challenges and obstacles facing these communities and the Government’s intention to establish a cross-departmental working group on issues affecting coastal towns.
We also welcome its commitment to creating a coastal areas network supported by Government and the RDAs. SEEDA is leading on the development of a new RDA network for sharing best practice on coastal town development and regeneration, and a first meeting of the network to agree its work plan is being planned with government officials for the near future. Good links have already been established with BURAs Seaside Town network. We welcome the opportunity to work with Government and key partners in preparing a coordinated policy response on the range of challenges coastal communities face, harnessing good practice across the country and the new studies being taken forward nationally, regionally and locally to inform interventions.
The Government’s decision to provide further information on the seasonal employment issues in coastal areas is another positive announcement the RDAs are pleased to support. RDAs with coastal economies already recognise through their Regional Economic Strategies (RES) the need to create sustainable jobs and businesses in these areas through both the RES and other regional and sub-regional strategies.
As part of its role in disseminating Best Practice in coastal town regeneration, the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) will be looking at examples of approaches that tackle the issue of seasonal employment at a local level.
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