Policy Review Section

In this Policy Review Section, Hilary Metcalf and Richard Pearson of the Institute of Manpower Studies, University of Sussex, and Ron Martin of the Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, set out the findings of a study into the charitable job creation activities of private sector companies and the work of enterprise agencies and related bodies which have received support from these companies. In relation to corporate job creation, it is considered that many companies could improve the effectiveness of their support through better organization, targeting and focusing on agencies' needs. In regard to the issues facing agencies, the authors conclude that many problems revolve around the question of sponsorship. Much of the responsibility of fund raising rests with agency staff who, in some cases, have little idea about how to effectively approach companies, and yet have to devote a considerable amount of time to the task. Looking to the future, Metcalf, Pearson and Martin believe agencies will face increased financial pressures as charitable demands on companies grow, whilst government policies towards local authorities result in a reduction in agency support from that source. A consequence of these pressures, they believe, will be a reduction in the number of agencies with the development of regional consortia and networks to share resources and co-ordinate activities. In the second article, Steve Martin, Mike Tricker and Tony Bovaird of Aston Business School present the findings of their study of the effectiveness of Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) as a vehicle for co-ordinating economic and social initiatives in twenty-seven Rural Development Areas designated by the Development Commission in 1984. It is considered that to date the RDPs have had a positive impact on the areas concerned through improved co-ordination, bringing about changes in policies and practices amongst agencies and levering extra resources from the public and voluntary sectors. However, they conclude it remains to be seen, in the longer term, how successful the RDPs will be in bending agencies' main programmes towards rural priorities, in attracting substantial private sector funds and in developing truly integrated and innovative rural development strategies.