Government - Local

Local Government jargon is just as useless as that from central government. However, Local Government jargon can be manipulated to focus on local issues that may not be relevant anywhere else.

Therefore, one set of local government jargon can differ from one area to the next & the same acronyms could mean totally different things to each council.

This can create interesting characteristics in local government jargon that can have an erratic or inconsistent flavour when trying to transfer ideas as Local Government Officials move from one council to another as they invariably do.

Local Government Jargon

A

AWM

Advantage West Midlands

There are nine RDAs in England, established by the Government in 1999 (except the London Development Agency which was set up a year later) to 'transform England's regions through sustainable economic development'. RDAs are non-departmental government bodies and are accountable to the Department of Trade and Industry.

C

CMT

Corporate Management Team

The Advantage West Midlands term for Chief Exec and Corporate Directors usually including Director of Communications and Corporate Support

COG

Cluster Opportunity Group

Private sector representatives from each of the clusters which meet regularly to direct AWM's policy towards that particular sector.

CTB

Central Technology Belt

One of the three High Technology Corridors in the West Midlands - located between Birmingham and Worcester along the line of the A38.

D

DTI

Department of Trade and Industry

Government department headed up by Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Minster for Women and Equality. Aim is to achieve 'prosperity for all' by working to create the best environment for business success in the UK.

E

EP

English Partnerships

The national regeneration agency that is helping the Government to support high quality sustainable growth throughout England.

L

LSC

Learning Skills Council

Responsible for funding and planning education and training for over 16 year olds in England.

P

PIG

Programme Implementation Group

Group designed to ensure that funding ear marked for a certain programme is being allocated wisely.

R

RABBIT

Remote Area Broadband Inclusion Trial

A project through which particularly rural areas can get access to broadband internet access by using special methods such as satellite broadband.

RDA

Regional Development Agency

There are nine RDAs in England, established by the Government in 1999 (except the London Development Agency which was set up a year later) to 'transform England's regions through sustainable economic development'. RDAs are non-departmental government bodies and are accountable to the Department of Trade and Industry.

RES

Regional Economic Strategy

Document published in 2004 which outlines how funding which comes into the West Midlands will be spent to achieve the aims of creating a world-class region by 2010.

RIS

Regional Innovation Strategy

Document published in 2001 setting out the strategies and key policy priorities for Innovation in the West Midlands over the next 5 years.

RZ

Regeneration Zone

A delivery mechanisms used by Advantage West Midlands to target areas of greatest need. There are six RZs, each based on the most deprived parts of the region which altogether receive around 75 per cent of AWMs funding.

S

SFI

Selective Finance for Investment in England

A grant or loan allocated by Advantage West Midlands to businesses who are looking to invest in an assisted area but need financial help to go ahead. This support helps fund new investment projects that lead to long-term improvements in productivity, skills and employment.

SME

Small and Medium Enterprise

Firm with between 0 and 249 employees (DTI definition).

SMG

Senior Management Group

The Advantage West Midlands term for CMT but also includes Delivery Directors

T

TWM

Tourism West Midlands

The tourism body set up by AWM in 2004 to direct the Agency's policy on tourism.

U

UDC

Urban Development Company

Same as a URC but with both planning powers and compulsary purchase powers.

URC

Urban Regeneration Company

A separate private legal entity that coordinates investment in and redevelopment of a declining urban area. There are two URCs in the West Midlands: Sandwell (RegenCo) and Walsall.

W

WMRA

West Midlands Regional Assembly

The regional planning body that also scrutinises the work of Advantage West Midlands.

ADD YOUR OWN JARGON TO THIS SECTION:-