Integrated Regional Framework

The Integrated Regional Framework (IRF) is the framework for sustainable development in North East England. The framework has been reviewed and refreshed following changes to regional and national policy.

The IRF presents a shared regional vision, signed up to by key regional partners, which will ensure that regional strategies share a common purpose in working towards, and achieving, a more sustainable future for the region. The region must adhere to the principles set out in the IRF if it are to achieve a better quality of life for the people of North East England.

The framework provides the outline to guide the development of strategies, plans, programmes and policy decisions throughout the region. It helps identify and exploit all opportunities and mitigate any potential negative impacts to sustainable development, ensuring that the principles of sustainable development are embedded in North East England; it also allows the region to measure, monitor and report on its progress towards sustainability.

The IRF is used to inform the production of other key regional strategies such as the Regional Spatial Strategy, Regional Economic Strategy, Regional Housing Strategy and many others, as well as the future single integrated regional strategy. It is also widely used throughout the region in the preparation of smaller local plans.

The IRF sets out ten regional objectives which, if they are met, will deliver a more sustainable future for the region. These objectives are supported by regional indicators that will report the progress in meeting the objectives. The top ten key areas that the region should be concerned with are:

• strengthening the economy;
• adapting to and mitigating against climate change;
• living within environmental limits;
• developing a more sustainable employment market;
• establishing a strong learning and skills base;
• improving health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities;
• protecting and enhancing the environment;
• building sustainable communities;
• developing sustainable transport; and
• promoting and respecting the region's culture and heritage.

Sustaine was working with One North East, the Association of North East Councils (ANEC) and other regional stakeholders to ensure sustainability was implicit in the single regional strategy. This work ended in May 2010 when the Coalition Government announced that regional strategies were effectively abolished.

Representatives from Sustaine are happy to attend appropriate meetings to discuss the IRF and give a practical demonstration of how it can be used to help develop policies, plans and programmes, ensuring that they are contributing to regional objectives and global sustainability.

Sustainability appraisal

The IRF has been subject to a sustainability appraisal which was based on the UK Sustainable Development Strategy. The appraisal was carried out by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Assembly and the appraisal process has been independent of the production of this IRF. The Sustaine website contains details of the appraisal and how Sustaine have dealt with the recommendations.