The concept of MAAs was first put forward in the 2006 Local Government White Paper (http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/pdf/154067.pdf). This set out the Government’s intention that MAAs would focus on pursing economic development, with an outcomes based approach. MAAs would be able to gain more autonomy from Whitehall in return for pledging to boost growth, reconcile national inequalities in GVA per capita, and tackle deprivation. The Government’s Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/9/5/subnational_econ_review170707.pdf) set out the Government’s plans to develop proposals for local authorities to work together at a sub-regional level through MAAs, enabling pooling of responsibilities and interventions to be appropriately targeted. A year after the publication of the Sub-national Review the first round of MAAs were signed in July 2008.

October 2006
Strong and prosperous communities - the local government white paper published. MAA concept first proposed.

July 2007
Sub-National Review signals further commitment to MAAs.

November 2007
Councils in first wave announced. 13 MAAs expected:
Tyne and Wear, Tees Valley, Leeds City Region, Hull and Humber Ports, South Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Fylde Coast, Pennine Lancashire, Birmingham, Coventry and Black Country, the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire and Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset.

CLG guidance on LAAs and MAAs published.

July 2008
Initial wave signed, 7 MAAs created.

September 2008
Talks for next wave start.