News Release : 21 February 2001

NEW PAN-REGIONAL PLANNING FORUM HOLDS INAUGURAL MEETING

Planning issues affecting London and its hinterland will be on the agenda when a new advisory forum meets
for the first time later this week.

Representatives from the South East England Regional Assembly, the Greater London Authority and the East
of England will gather in London on Friday 2 March for their inaugural meeting, following the signing of a unique pan-regional strategic planning protocol in November 2000.

Regional Planning Guidance, water resources, the Orbit M25 Transport Study, and the London Mayor's Draft Transport and Spatial Development Strategies are on the agenda for the first meeting of the Advisory Forum
on Regional Planning for London, the South East and East of England.

Regional Assembly Planning Chair Nick Skellett, who is also Leader of Surrey County Council said:
" I am delighted to be involved in this new pan-regional forum which will deal with important issues affecting
the capital and its neighbouring regions."

Deputy Mayor for London Nicky Gavron said: "The new forum will help London to solve more of the problems within its boundaries. For instance, common cause can be gained to enable London to achieve urban renaissance."

The new 15 strong Advisory Forum comprises key members of each of the three bodies. The South East is taking on the first rotation of the Chair and Secretariat.

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Alex Butlin, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Notes to editors:

1. The Regional Assembly is the “voluntary regional chamber” for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
   
   
2. The Assembly is made up of 111 members including elected councillors nominated by the region’s local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations).
   
   
3. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
1. It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
   
   
2. The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
   
   
3. The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007

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