While it's clear there is much to debate and discuss before decisions are taken, I believe the experience of those, like myself, who have already carried out the role to add value to regional working, needs to be reflected upon.

In particular:

n Any future regional arrangements must be developed to ensure they are complementary to local authority scrutiny. Our approach to scrutiny has been to engage a wide number of partners and organisations who canoffer different perspectives on the scrutiny topic. This has had two specific benefits for scrutiny in the region; firstly, we have been able to learn from each other's scrutiny processes and outcomes, but most importantly, we have been able to dovetail our findings on specific topics providing stronger recommendations for Yorkshire Forward and their partners to action.

n Serious consideration should be given to ensuring future regional Parliamentary scrutiny arrangements are adequately resourced and supported through a secretariat based in each region. That would ensure a regional research and support presence and encourage continued engagement and involvement of local authority and other stakeholders involved in the work.

Those reflections – and our experience of working in Yorkshire and Humber to bring real change "on the ground'' through scrutiny – will be presented when we give evidence to the House of Commons.

Developing this work through Parliamentary and other systems is about adding value and more accountability to regional work and to regional bodies.

To do that, the region itself must be involved, as it has been in current arrangements.

If not, I fear the money quoted in your report runs the risk of simply being sucked into the centre, with no recourse to those delivering the services at the sharp end.


Sir Norman's star role as legend and character


From: Keith Quinn, Green Oak Avenue, Totley, Sheffield.

RECENT newspaper and television coverage of Sir Norman Wisdom, who is reported to be suffering from vascular dementia, reminded me of when I was lucky enough to be chosen to work on the set of The Last of the Summer Wine.

I had been well looked after and treated as one of the gang but realised that I had to learn quickly as everyone else knew the routine except me. As the new kid on the block, I had to catch up with all the others.

After an early breakfast and visits to wardrobe and make-up. I was awaiting the first "set-up" of the day and enjoying a nice cup of tea when I felt a gentle nudge in the ribs. Turning quickly I saw the grinning face of the legend himself Norman Wisdom or Sir Norman as he is now known.

"Hello, I'm Norman."

"Hello," I replied, "I'm Keith."

We went on to chat about the usual things, the weather, where I came from – Sheffield – how long I'd worked on the programme, etc until the boss Alan JW Bell, the very experienced producer-director, was satisfied with the set and after the usual rehearsals everything was lined up for the proposed shoot.

A white van was to speed around the corner in front of the camera and a stuntman, dressed up as Norman, was to fall out of the back of the van as the doors swung open.

"I'll do that," shouted Norman.

"No," interrupted director Alan. "We've got a stuntman to do that for you Norman."

"But I want to do it," insisted Norman.

Everything stopped while the discussion continued about who was to do what. The outcome?

Norman did the stunt after Alan insisted that a mattress was placed outside the back of the van for health and safety reasons, though Norman assured everyone that he didn't really need it.

So, the shot was completed, the van shot around the corner, the back doors swung open and Norman did a neat somersault out of the back and landed on his feet to applause given by the rest of us watching the scene.

What a man! What a character! What a legend. And he was 88 years old at the time.