New website will bring together Multi Area Agreements

August 19, 2008

The New Local Government Network think tank launches a new website for the new Multi Area Agreement Forum.

The MAA Forum is hosted in conjunction with NLGN and the Institute of Political and Economic Governance at the University of Manchester. The Forum is an association of new and potential local authority sub-regional clusters, aiming to deliver a nationally-organised network to pool thinking, and provide a shared secretariat for Multi Area Agreements from the ground up, sharing learning, discussing future policy and strategy, and making joint representations to Ministers when appropriate.

The website, www.maaforum.org.uk, will allow members to access information on policy developments and debates within the MAA community, as well as details of forthcoming events and publications.

So far eight MAA partnerships have joined the forum:

  • Birmingham, Coventry and Black Country City Region
  • Flyde Coast
  • Pennine Lancashire
  • Regional Cities East
  • Hull and Humber
  • Gatwick Diamond
  • Leeds City Region
  • Tees Valley
NLGN Director, Chris Leslie said that he was delighted that the website would allow MAA members from around the country to share expertise:
“The website will develop as a dynamic resource for MAA Forum members and allow them to engage in strategic dialogue with other colleagues nationwide, regularly updated with latest developments in central and local government. It should also act as a first port of call for information new ideas within MAAs and new thinking about how the partnerships can evolve”.

The Institute of Political and Economic Governance at the University of Manchester is the academic partner of the MAA Forum.

Prof. Alan Harding, Director of ipeg said:

“As the academic partner of the MAA Forum we welcome the launch of this website. Multi-Area Agreements are crucial to forging a new approach to economic development in England and this website will be a valuable resource, both for those working towards a MAA and those who have already signed their MAA and are moving into the implementation phase.”


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