Background Regional chambers
18.Regional chambers (designated under section 8(1) of the RDA Act) contribute to the regional economic strategies produced by Regional Development Agencies and scrutinise their delivery. In most regions they also advise the Secretary of State on the content of regional planning guidance prepared by him under section 31(6) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The intention of Ministers, as stated in the
White Paper, is that all eight regional chambers should carry out this role, in the absence of an elected regional assembly. Where an elected regional assembly is established, the assembly will carry out this function. A new power is provided so that the Government can make arrangements for funding, amongst other things, the regional planning activities of the chambers.