Nick Woolfenden has been appointed as Head of Policy for the South East England Regional Assembly. He will manage the Assembly's policy function, including scrutiny, health, social inclusion and European issues.

Nick's responsibilities include:

• Leading the Assembly's scrutiny of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)
• Public health policy and health service policy, working with regional and local partners including the region's Strategic Health Authorities, local authorities and the voluntary sector
• Developing the Assembly's social inclusion and communities policy function.

Nick has worked for the Assembly for three years as a Regional Planner on economic, social and rural planning policies. He has contributed to the development of the South East Plan and was the lead on inter-regional liaison with areas outside the South East.

Prior to joining the Assembly, Nick worked in regeneration, planning and community development both in the public and voluntary sectors, with a particular focus on rural issues. He has worked for East and West Sussex County Councils and Action in Rural Sussex (formerly Sussex Rural Community Council) implementing initiatives and developing policy.

Chief Executive of the Assembly, Paul Bevan said:

"I am delighted to welcome Nick to his new role. Nick's wide range of policy experience including economic, rural and social issues will be of real value as the Assembly's Head of Policy. This is a big agenda for a big region, and Nick's breadth of knowledge will stand him in good stead."

Contacts

Lesley van Dijk, Assembly PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Assembly Communications Director - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. A photo of Nick Woolfenden is available. Please contact Lesley van Dijk - 01483 555223
2. The South East England Regional Assembly is a regional partnership with 112 members representing local authorities as well as social, environmental and business sectors.
3. The Assembly was established by South East local government in January 1999 to provide a representative voice for the region, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire and Surrey.
4. Assembly members include elected councillors from the region's 74 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) as well as the New Forest National Park Authority.
5. The Assembly has four key roles:
• Advocacy
  Pressing the South East's interests in London and Brussels.
• Accountability
  Scrutinising the plans and performance of regional bodies such as SEEDA to align the region's priorities.
• Regional planning
  Preparing and delivering the South East Plan - the 20-year statutory plan for the region that sets the framework for the sustainable development of the South East.
• Regional policy
  Advising Government on the co-ordination of regional strategies and spending priorities for housing, transport, planning and economic development to improve the impact of public expenditure.

Our vision is for a distinctive, outward-looking, accessible region of prosperous, sustainable communities, with a high quality of life and environment.

Last updated: 21 August 2007