Clearer vision needed for rural survival in the South East

The rural economy of the South East will not survive unless all partners work together with a common vision for the future. This was one of the conclusions of the South East England Regional Assembly's Select Committee on the work of SEEDA, the South East Regional Development Agency.

The Select Committee was set up to investigate SEEDA's impact, both past and potential, in the diversification and sustainable growth of the rural economy in the South East. It heard from key players in the area, including local authorities, economic partnerships, rural community councils, trade unions and government agencies.

The Assembly's select committee found tensions between those pressing for more varied jobs in the countryside, with better services, improved access and more affordable homes, and those who feel that such developments jeopardise the special character and peace of rural areas.

Jeremy Leggett, Chair of the Select Committee and Social and Environmental Vice-Chair of the Assembly said: "A clearer vision for our countryside is urgently needed. Without it there is a danger that the various agencies tasked with helping rural communities will find themselves cancelling out each others' efforts."

The committee also agreed that SEEDA should step up its work to assist land-based businesses in the region to diversify production in ways that would create and retain added value. At the same time, SEEDA has a crucial role to play in broadening the economic base in the countryside by supporting micro firms and developing small business premises."

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