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Urban Regeneration Companies: A Consultation Paper
6. What next?
So what kind of projects are we talking about?
As we have said before in this paper, there is no fixed model for the kind of project for which an innovative delivery vehicle would be appropriate. However, some of the common elements could be:
- where there is a large number of both national (e.g. Scottish Enterprise, Communities Scotland) and local (Local Authority) public sector stakeholders involved;
- where a range of actions and funding streams are needed to physically regenerate the area concerned - from roads and transport, to decontamination, to property development;
- where previous approaches have foundered because of, for example, funding gaps, private sector risk worries, or lack of appropriate guarantees;
- where regeneration projects cross one or more administrative boundaries; or
- or where the input and involvement of key private sector interests is not only desirable but necessary for long-term sustainable regeneration.
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National Support
The Scottish Executive supports and champions innovation in the public sector. We believe that the range of models within the URC and potentially the UDC banner offer potential in Scotland but need to be carefully tested.
The Executive has already shown that it is prepared to support major, often complex projects that have the potential to deliver real and tangible improvements to people's lives. For example the Housing Stock transfer in Glasgow, major public/private partnerships in the NHS like the New Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, and ambitious plans for Edinburgh's transport infrastructure.
However, we are also convinced that the spark and impetus for such innovative approaches should normally come locally. A top-down approach has been shown not to work, but government still has a key problem-solving role in supporting these local partnerships. That is the approach we intend to follow in progressing URCs and other innovative delivery vehicles.
What you can expect from us
We want to help nurture innovative projects and support good ideas for effective local delivery. That is why, following written 'expressions of interest' from this paper, we will offer:
- to establish dedicated joint-project groups with a small number of local groups to assess the feasibility of setting up an URC, and offer problem-solving advice and support;
- once agreed, national designation and branding as Pathfinder projects; and
- practical help for designated Pathfinders on legal and governance issues, research, set-up, and initial support to create the dedicated executive team.
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What do we want from you?
Through this paper we want you to:
- examine your existing ways of delivering regeneration initiatives and strategies;
- initiate, or give new impetus, to discussions with partner organisations within the Community Planning framework and local communities on the most appropriate delivery vehicles;
- where appropriate, identify geographical projects that could potentially benefit from the creation of a new delivery vehicle; and
- respond to the Scottish Executive with your views and, in the case of interested partnerships, deliver an expression of interest in becoming an URC Pathfinder.
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How do we become a pathfinder?
To become a Pathfinder pilot, we will expect your partnership 'expression if interest' to display:
- a clear support and commitment from the proposed partners, including communities themselves;
- a project and vision that will deliver on a social, economic, and environmental level - and not just commercially;
- a project that will make a real and lasting difference to a region as well as the immediate local area; and
- evidence that the delivery vehicle will be genuinely accountable to the community in which it operates.
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Question 7 Do you have specific proposals for an URC in your area? |
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