Plans to transfer controversial decisions on planning, housing, transport and green belt to a wholly unelected quango have alienated politicians, community and business leaders across the South East.

Representatives of all groups joined forces to oppose Government plans at a South East England Regional Assembly meeting in Reading last week. Government proposals include moving Assembly responsibilities to a new organisation based on the Regional Development Agency, where decisions would be made by a Government-appointed board.

Assembly Chairman Cllr Keith Mitchell said:

"It makes no sense to move critical decisions on housing and green belt from the Assembly - where two thirds of members are elected - to an organisation where no-one is elected. This move will alienate the very councillors and communities who will be expected to implement the decisions on the ground."

Peter Dean, Leader of the Business group on the Assembly, added:

"As members of the Assembly, business leaders are able to influence decisions but the new proposals relegate us to a consultative role. Government says it wants more engagement with business but these plans are at odds with that desire."

Assembly Deputy Chair Ian Chisnall represents Social and Environmental Representatives on the Assembly. He said:

"The Assembly gives a strong voice to community groups but now Government wants to exclude us from key decisions that will affect the future of everyone in our region. After eight years of active involvement, communities will not be willing to accept a return to Government decisions imposed from above."

The full text of a resolution agreed by Assembly members at the Reading meeting is included below. It also gained support from Liberal Democrats and Town and Parish councillors on the Assembly.

Contacts

Lesley van Dijk, Assembly PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Assembly Communications Director - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. The South East England Regional Assembly held its annual meeting in Reading on 18 July 2007. Members agreed the following resolution by a large majority.
   
   This Assembly:
   1. Reminds Government that they have created an infrastructure crisis in the South East with a serious backlog of investment that will get worse if higher housing targets are imposed by Government.
      
      
   2. Acknowledges there is a housing affordability crisis in much of the region but rejects the Prime Minister’s simplistic assumption that adding 250,000 dwellings to a national stock of more than 20 Million will do anything to solve it.
      
      
   3. Strongly opposes the proposed transfer of planning, transport, housing and green belt decisions away from democratic accountability to a wholly unelected quango of Government placemen. This Assembly warns Government of growing dissatisfaction with the burgeoning quangocracy in this country.
      
      
   4. Expects Government to honour its apparent commitment to democratic localism.
      
      
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.