Ministers are transferring strategic planning powers to Regional Development Agencies - unelected quangos - to by-pass councils' opposition to excessive growth in South East house-building rates, says the South East England Regional Assembly.

Responding to today's Government announcement on a sub-national review of economic development, Assembly Chairman Cllr Keith Mitchell said:

"Our clear message to Government is that the South East needs massive investment in infrastructure if it is to accommodate even higher levels of housing development. But, because it's an uncomfortable truth, the Government has decided to shoot the messenger. The Regional Assembly has spent eight years successfully building consensus across councils and stakeholders to plan for a sustainable South East but Ministers are now passing that responsibility to unelected quango placemen."

"The spin is about greater accountability to local councils but the reality is that local authorities risk being sidelined in the new system. Instead of planning collectively for the region through the Assembly, councils look likely to have only a consultative role. The regional framework for local development plans is now to be set by the RDA's business-led board. Government is putting at risk our hard-won local buy-in that is essential to delivering sustainable prosperity on the ground."

"The South East has achieved consensus on tough decisions and a clear way forward through committed partnership working between politicians and stakeholders. But all that is at risk if critical decisions on housing, planning, transport and the Green Belt are now to be taken by a quango of 'yes-men' appointed by Government Ministers."

Cllr Mitchell urged Government to confirm details of consultation on the proposals as soon as possible. He said:

"The devil will be in the detail but it is hard to see how a shift from an Assembly with 70% elected members to a quango appointed by the Government can improve democratic accountability or secure essential buy-in from local communities."

Contacts

Lesley van Dijk, Assembly PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Assembly Communications Director - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. On Tuesday 17 July, Local Government Minister John Healey published proposals from the Treasury's sub national review of economic development.
   
   
2. The Assembly is a partnership of councils and communities in the South East region. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the region, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire and Surrey.
   
   
3. 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) as well as the New Forest National Park Authority.
   
   
4. The Assembly has six roles:
1. Regional Planning
   preparing and delivering the South East Plan
2. Regional Housing
   the Regional Housing Board decides housing investment priorities
3. Regional Transport
   the Regional Transport Board decides transport investment priorities
4. Advocacy
   pressing the South East's interests in London and Brussels
5. Accountability
   scrutinising SEEDA's plans and impact
6. Alignment
   co-ordinating regional policies and decisions.

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