European Policy Analysis Volume 2, Number 2, Winter 2016 | Page 101

State and Regional Administrative Coordination in Spain
of the policies dealt with ( which could be
argued as significant drivers for explaining
different
patterns
of
interterritorial
relations ).
This study combines qualitative and quantitative techniques in order to describe the workings , dynamics , and results of these three conferences . The research was based , firstly , on in-depth interviews with participants in the Sectoral Conferences ( basically regional government ministers and central government personnel who participated in these three conferences between 2001 and 2012 , as can be seen in Appendix 1 ). Secondly , we analyzed the contents of the agendas and minutes of the Sectoral Conference meetings during this period . On this point , different aspects related to the workings of the conferences , such as the duration and venue of meetings , those attending , and the items on the agenda , were noted . These agenda items were the main unit recorded in our analysis . They were classified according to the actor making the proposal , the subject matter dealt with in them , whether they propose consent or dissent , and the number of people who take the floor to talk about the subject , with a classification of whether these interventions are critical or affirmative in nature . Lastly , an analysis was made of the laws that cover the Sectoral Conferences , the regulations of the three conferences studied and the reports on Sectoral Conference activity that appear on the website of the Ministry of Finance and Public Administration ’ s General Directorship for the Coordination of Competences with the Autonomous Regions and Local Government .
Working Dynamics of the Sectoral Conferences
Each Sectoral Conference works very differently , depending on the sectoral policy and , particularly , the framework of competences . However , all of them show a number of common characteristics with respect to their performance that will be described throughout this section , taking into account their formal rules , the dynamic of their meetings , and the information provided by our interviewees .
Composition of and Attendance at the Sectoral Conferences
The regulations of the Sectoral Conferences establish that the conferences ’ plenary sessions are constituted by the holder of the pertinent ministry , acting as chairman thereof , and with the corresponding regional ministers representing the Autonomous Regions . The possibility that regional ministers ’ participation can be delegated to a lower-ranking member of the regional government , such as a vice-minister , as well as to another minister from the same regional government , is only allowed for in the regulations of the Education Conference . However , drawing on the available data , it was a practice that was done to a greater or lesser extent at the other conferences . However , with the reform of the regulations of the Interterritorial Health Council and the Environment Conference , the possibility of delegation is not included in the first of these , and at the Environment Conference it is permitted to delegate to people with the rank of regional minister , belonging either to the regional government of their region , or to the Sectoral Conference . This gives them a more political character .
101