SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL LEADER BECOMES REGIONAL ASSEMBLY VICE-CHAIR

Cllr Mrs Jan Morgan, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council has become the first female Vice-chair of the South East England Regional Assembly.

Cllr Morgan took on the position of Liberal Democrat Vice-chair earlier this month when Cllr Keith House, the previous Vice-chair, stood down from the Assembly to join the SEEDA board.

Cllr Morgan has been a member of the Assembly since its establishment in 1999. She is currently a member of its Executive Committee and Joint Europe Committee.

Cllr Morgan commented: "I am delighted to take up this post, as I have been involved with the regional agenda since 1996. As the Liberal Democrat Vice-chair, I will work with assembly colleagues to ensure the work of the assembly enhances and adds value to the lives of the residents of the South East.

"The region is very large and it is essential that all members of the Assembly are fully informed and engaged, not just when we meet as the whole assembly, but during the whole year. The technology is available to ensure this can happen and we must use it.

"I am happy to make myself available to speak to groups about the work of the Assembly whenever possible. I also look forward to working with the Chair and other Vice-chairs to promote the region at national and international level."

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