Over the last few years there has been a growing need to demonstrate and highlight the impact of RDAs and their contribution to the achievement of regional and national objectives. This change in focus was signalled in February 2006 when DTI published the Impact Evaluation Framework (IEF) which sets out the purpose, approach and methods for the evaluation of the impact of RDAs. This was followed in October 2006 with the production of an impact report.
The approach was further reinforced in December 2007 when the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) formerly BERR, appointed PWC to carry out an independent assessment of the economic impact of all RDAs’ activities and provide a report to BIS by December 2008.
What do we mean by evaluation?
What impact have RDA interventions had in improving their regions and UK economic performance and competitiveness?
What lessons can be learnt and applied?
What are the patterns of RDA spend, activities and leverage?
What is the nature and scope of the RDA’s SAV?
What are the gross and net outcomes?
How do we evaluate?
Monitor gross outputs: jobs; business assists; business created
Consider deadweight, displacement, unintended effects
Consider impact at a programme level
Consider impact upon RES conditions
Why do we need to do it?
To determine Region’s progress against RES Objectives
To determine true net impact of Agency activity
To inform policy decisions – future policy direction
To inform programme and project delivery
Improve the capacity and capability of the Agency and its partners in developing and delivering projects and programmes.
Improve the effectiveness of Agency and partner interventions in terms of economic impact.
What areas of activity have been evaluated?
Business Investment Programmes ( RSA/SFIE/GBI )
Clusters
High Technology Corridors
Inward Investment
Land, Property and Infrastructure
Market Towns
Mercia Spinner programme
Midlands Excellence
Premier Automotive Resarch and Development (PARD) Centre
Redundant Buildings Grants Scheme
Regeneration Zones
Rover Task Force and MG Rover programmes
Single Regeneration Budget
Skills
To view the findings from the reports select the Evaluation Findings section located in the left hand menu.