The key role of the Assembly is to be the ‘voice of the East Midlands’ region, to represent the interests of the East Midlands and, through regional scrutiny, to support emda to appropriately respond to those needs.

The Regional Development Agencies act of 1998, which established Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and Assemblies, gave Assemblies the role of ‘scrutinising’ their RDA. EMRA’s Regional Scrutiny function focuses on supporting the development of the Regional Economic Strategy and then scrutinising its delivery. The Assembly sets out its Scrutiny Programme in its 3-year Business Plan.

EMRA is a ‘critical friend’ to East Midlands Development Agency (emda), supporting them in achieving improved outcomes for the region. Our scrutiny process is based on thorough research and consultation into issues and making forward-looking and constructive recommendations.

These positive outcomes and spelled out in the terms of reference of the Regional Scrutiny Board. Through Regional Scrutiny we aim to -

• Enhance and demonstrate regional accountability and transparency of emda in its development and implementation of the Regional Economic Strategy and associated plans and policies
• Improve regional policy-making and strategy.
• Strengthen partnerships, co-ordination and communication amongst key regional stakeholders.

emda has a ‘dual accountability’. They are accountable to ministers through their performance targets and the role of EMRA is to support regional accountability. EMRA’s Scrutiny of East Midlands Development Agency complements the three-yearly Independent Performance Assessment of RDAs by the National Audit Office.

How we do scrutiny and what we seek to achieve through it is encapsulated in the Assemblies agreed ‘definition’ of Regional Scrutiny, which is;

“seeking to ensure through constructive engagement that the region’s economic strategy, its delivery plans and outcomes, and the activities of strategic regional and sub-regional agencies and organisations, respond appropriately to regional priorities and help to achieve the objectives of the Integrated Regional Strategy”