GOVERNMENT enthusiasm for regional devolution could lead to a North-west "parliament" by spring 2005. The North West Regional Assembly -- unelected but influential -- is beavering away behind the scenes to convince the Minister of State for Local Government and the Regions, Nick Raynsford, that this thriving region should be one of the first to go to the polls on this issue. Alan Calvert takes a look at the Assembly and chats to its Leader, Bury councillor Derek Boden.

THE 80-strong North West Regional Assembly -- formed in 1997 -- hopes to develop into a democratically elected body or "parliament" which would deliver increased political autonomy.

It represents Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside -- an area with 6.9 million inhabitants.

The North-west has the second largest regional population in the UK and it is three times more densely populated than the European average.

A £60 billion economy is larger than five European member states -- Republic of Ireland, Finland, Luxembourg, Portugal and Greece.

Assembly members represent 46 local authorities, including Bolton, Bury and Wigan.

This, in addition to businesses, trade unions, further and higher education establishments, environmental interests, the voluntary sector and culture, sport and tourism.

Their activities, which include looking at economy, transport and planning issues, are supported by an annual revenue budget of £2,326,060 funded by the Government and local authority subscriptions.

Meetings are usually held at the Lancashire County Council offices in Preston.

There is a staff of about 60 in rented office space in St Helens (previously Wigan).

Nick Raynsford, the Local Government and Regions Minister, awarded £1.2 million in Government funding over two years in April 2002.

He said at the time: "The Assembly is already establishing itself as a strategic focal point for the region.

"It is scrutinising the activities of the North West Development Agency effectively and starting to make regional Government more effective and accountable."

But a major problem in any ballot, which could be held in autumn next year, will be convincing voters -- those that can be bothered -- that regional government will not simply be another layer of bureaucracy.

The Assembly points out that both Labour and Conservative Governments have already decentralised administration from Whitehall with the creation of Government offices of the regions, Regional Development Agencies and regional offices of other Government departments and quangos.

It says they are spending £60 billion of taxpayers' money each year without being directly and democratically accountable to the people in the regions they serve.

The North West Regional Assembly hopes to:

Take powers from London so that decisions affecting the lives of people in the North-west are made in the North-west.

Ensure that people of the North-west get the highest quality services.

Never undermine the powers of local government.

Reduce the power of unelected quangos and not increase bureaucracy or cost.

Listen to all the people of the North-west and encourage diversity, openness and accountability.

That pledge about local government is not expected to be a big issue in Bolton and other towns and cities in the Greater Manchester conurbation.

There is no layer of administration directly above them.

This is not the case elsewhere in the region and an elected body would call the futures of Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria county councils into question.

The man playing a lead role

LABOUR councillor Derek Boden has served on Bury Council for nearly 30 years and believes firmly in the North-west.

"I have always had an interest in regional government and always consider myself a North-west patriot," he says.

The Nelson-born former electrical engineer, who represents Besses Ward, finds Bury Town Hall is a convenient base for his activities as Leader of the North West Regional Assembly.

Apart from the full Assembly meetings every two months there are various sub-committees which require attention.

The aim is to take a regional view of important issues affecting -- mainly -- transport, the environment and planning. He concedes that not many people know about the work of the Assembly and says efforts are now being made to raise its profile.

When asked, he says he would be happy to be leader of a Regional "parliament" -- if he was elected. Cllr Boden, aged 65, just smiles when I ask him if the leader would be styled "First Minister".

This kind of detail is a long way in the future.

If the go-ahead is given for a regional vote on the issue, he points out that the Assembly will not be able to campaign. He would expect there to be "Yes" and "No" factions for what he believes is a vitally important issue.

"The Tories are against and the Lib Dems are in favour," he says.

So what is his prediction for an elected assembly vote?

"I think the people will vote in favour."

WHAT do you think about the prospect of an elected North-west "Parliament?"

Write to: The Editor, Bolton Evening News, Newspaper House, Churchgate, Bolton, BL1 1DE or contact us by e-mail --letters@boltoneveningnews.co.uk