REGIONAL ASSEMBLY WANTS TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS

LOCAL RESIDENTS CAN HAVE THEIR SAY ON REGIONALISM, thanks to a new web survey from the South East England Regional Assembly and independent market research company MORI.

The survey, which can be found in the Whats New section of this web site, asks visitors to give their opinions on a range of subjects, including current awareness of regionalism, the merits of regional representation, and the effectiveness of the Assembly's web site.

It is part of a larger research project tracking public awareness and opinion of regionalism in the South East, which MORI is undertaking on the Regional Assembly's behalf. The findings will be published during the summer.

Paul Bevan, Chief Executive, Regional Assembly said: "We are very keen to hear people's views about regional government and the idea of regional assemblies. I would encourage people from across the region to take the five minutes needed to complete this short and simple survey on our web site."

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