News Release : 06 September 2001

GOVERNMENT FUNDS FOR SOUTH EAST REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

THE SOUTH EAST ENGLAND REGIONAL ASSEMBLY was today given half a million pounds by the Government to develop its role as the representative voice of the region. The grant marks the first release of Government funding direct to the Regional Assembly; similar funds are promised in future years.

The money has been awarded to enable the Assembly more effectively to oversee the work of SEEDA (the regional development agency for the South East), and also to engage other regional quangos. Until now the Assembly has been supported solely by the region's local authorities.

Assembly Chair Cllr David Shakespeare OBE welcomed the news: "We, at the Regional Assembly, are very pleased with today's announcement. This is a clear sign from the Government places value on the development of strong representative voices within the Regions. It is our intention in the South East to develop a voice which can be heard loudly and clearly in both Westminster and Brussels.

"The South East makes a vital contribution to the UK's prosperity. The message which we want to send to Government is that even though the South East is prosperous, and the engine driving the country's economy, it still needs investment in its infrastructure and public services. Without this, the quality of life in the South East will suffer and the Government will soon find that the engine has suddenly become derailed."

The Assembly's proposals for the additional funding, which were submitted to Government in June this year, have three themes:

Building the regional picture - improving regional intelligence, monitoring the progress of the region in an integrated way, and ensuring that data is well presented and accessible.

Enhancing identity and involvement - stepping up external communications so that stakeholders (business, the voluntary sector, local authorities etc) recognise the significance of the regional agenda, and are more easily able to participate in the Assembly's business.

Stronger accountability - working constructively with the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to ensure its plans reflect the views of the region; expanding the Assembly's dialogue with other key regional players e.g. the Health Service and the Environment Agency to ensure there are 'joined up' strategies for the region.

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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