News Release : 22 March 2005

ASSEMBLY TESTING GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT TO THE SOUTH EAST

The South East England Regional Assembly is using the Government's proposed new regional funding allocations to test the Government’s commitment to growth in the South East.

Responding to Government plans to allocate a single pot every three years for economic development, housing and transport, Assembly Chair Nick Skellett, said, “Without a strong upward curve in the Government's investment in South East infrastructure, we cannot plan for the levels of growth in the economy, population and housing for which it is pressing.”

Not far enough
The Assembly also calls for greater devolution of responsibilities than the Government is offering. The proposals outline the opportunity merely to advise Ministers, rather than to take regional decisions. The Assembly also suggests that there are other budget streams, including health, skills, culture and EU funding that need to be regionally aligned if the Government is serious about creating sustainable communities. Councillor Skellett added: “The Assembly already provides a solid basis for joined up governance for the region, with the potential to bring together planning, housing and transport priorities alongside its scrutiny of the Regional Development Agency. But there are other places around our regional table for health and skills, for example.”

Transport funding
The Assembly also criticises the Highways Agency's designation of the M2 and A34 as regional rather than national routes. Funding is needed for improving these critical arteries other than from hard-pressed regional budgets. It also argues that the proposed formula for regional transport funding should prioritise existing and forecast demand. Criteria for investment such as population growth, economic success and the intensity of use of current infrastructure should determine where the money goes.

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Head of Communications - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. The Assembly responded to the Government’s consultation of the Devolving Decision Making December 2004. For the full response please see the consultation page
2. 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.
3. 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).
4. 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