BOLTON has thrown its weight behind the suggested Regional Development Agency for the North-west.

The town's Strategic Partnership, an organisation which represents important private and public sector organisations, has taken part in the Government's consultation process.

A White Paper is due in mid-November and the proposed new body could be up and running early in 1999.

The Bolton Strategic Partnership has written to the Government Office for the North-west pointing out that it is working towards improving economic well-being in the borough.

"We therefore welcome the new Agency and are keen to ensure that it will add value to economic development work already underway in the Region in a way that will suit the needs of all the partners in the North-west region," it says.

The letter is signed by Ross Warburton, immediate past chairman, Cllr Bob Howarth, Leader of Bolton Council and new Partnership Chairman and Mr Tony Rink, Chairman of Bolton Bury Training and Enterprise Council.

Views on the proposed RDA include:

The main role of the Agency should be one of strategic co-ordination, commissioning and consultation rather than delivery.

Regional functions currently carried out by organisations such as English Partnerships, Regional Supply Office and INWARD should become integrated with the Agency to ensure continuity of approach, best use of resources and avoid unnecessary duplication.

Local economic development partnerships and local organisations should be used for the delivery of projects wherever possible and retain their flexibility to respond to local need within the context of Regional Strategy.

The effectiveness of the public/private partnership approach to economic development should be reflected in the make-up of the Board of the RDA and it should preferably be a small Board.

There should be clear lines of accountability from the RDA to government and to the regional chamber.

Karen Harris, the Bolton Strategic Partnership Co-ordinator said today: "Bolton wants the RDA to work with us rather than instead of us."

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