Regional Ministers represent regional interests in the formulation of government policy; facilitate a joined up approach across Government Departments and agencies to enable effective delivery; champion the region at high level events and with regard to high profile projects. They also represent the Government with regard to central Government policy at regional select committee hearings and at parliamentary debates focussed specifically on the region.
Regional Ministers also promote the importance of regional planning and encourage regional stakeholders to engage positively in the regional planning process and in their implementation. However, Regional Ministers are not part of the decision making process in relation to the review and issuing of RSSs. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government is responsible for issuing RSSs.