News Release : 23 July 2004

SURREY LEADER RE-ELECTED AS CHAIR OF THE REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

Councillor Nick Skellett, leader of Surrey County Council, has been re-elected unopposed as Chair of the South East England Regional Assembly for the third time, at its plenary meeting at Gatwick this week.

Councillor Skellett said: “As we enter this vital stage in the preparation of the South East Plan, a vision for the region through to 2026, it is very important that we have continuity and I’m very pleased that the members have shown their support of my Chairmanship.” Councillor Skellett has been Leader of Surrey County Council since May 1997 and a Conservative councillor since 1993.

Don Turner, Labour Councillor for Brighton and Hove City Council, was re-elected as Deputy Chair of the Assembly. Don Turner sits on the Assembly’s executive committee and the regional housing board.
He said: “I am delighted to be given this opportunity to continue the work we have started and look forward to meeting the forthcoming challenges. I’d like to thank my colleagues in the Assembly for their continued support.”
Janet Keene of the South East Regional Trade Unions Congress (SERTUC) becomes a vice-chair representing economic partners, and Ian Chisnall a vice-chair representing social and environmental partners. They join existing vice-chairs Councillor Cec Tallack (Liberal Democrats), and Councillor Alan Hopkins (independent parties) on the Assembly’s board.

Contact

Alistair Moses, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Heather Bolton, Head of Communications - 01483 555220

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