News Release : 6 May 2005

ASSEMBLY UPS THE PRESSURE ON NEW MINISTERS

The Chair of the South East England Regional Assembly today voiced his concerns about future investment in the region under the new Government. The latest analysis of regional public expenditure figures released by the Centre for Economics and Business Research* shows that public spending as a percentage of GDP in the South East is the lowest of any region or country in the UK.

Reacting to the General Election outcome and the research, Cllr Nick Skellett said: “The Regional Assembly will not contemplate growth and development on the scale the Government wants without a clear commitment to investment in the infrastructure and services we need to create sustainable communities. The Assembly will be seeking a concordat with the Government to this effect, and we will be knocking on new Ministers’ doors as soon as they are in post.”

Cllr Skellett continued: “This new Government has to recognise that successful growth requires sustained investment in infrastructure. Quality of life in the South East is under threat as growth pressures mount. We want to maintain a buoyant regional economy, but transport, public services and the environment are already under severe pressure. More jobs and more people will intensify this. If the Government is serious about maintaining the contribution that the South East makes to the Exchequer and to UK economic success, this declining trend of public investment in the region must be turned around.”

Following the Regional Assembly’s recent public consultation on its draft South East Plan, Assembly members will be deciding in July on the levels of growth to recommend to the Government over the next 20 years.

*Centre for economics and business research ltd, 020 7324 2845, www.cebr.com

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

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 112 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

Copyright © 2004 SEERA Limited. All rights reserved.