Making the South East
an even better place to
live, work and do business
- Efficient Transport to keep our region moving
- Affordable, decent Housing to grow sustainably
- Collaboration for a Smarter and Greener future
- Adequate Skills provision to compete successfully
- Practical Devolution to empower our region
Councils in partnership
South East Councils
South East Councils (SEC) is a cross-party membership association that works to ensure the South East England region is a great place to live, work and do business.
With most local authorities as members, we seek to provide a unified democratic voice on South East interests.
South East Councils is an associate member of the Local Government Association (LGA).
Our members
Most councils in the South East are active SEC members
Latest meetings
News
Public Accounts Committee Cites South East Councils
South East APPG Hosts Briefing with Natural England
SEC & SESPM hold South East Parliamentary Reception 2024
South East 1,000 Regional Monitor 2024 Published
SEC Responds to PAC Inquiry on Levelling Up Funding
What we're talking about
The whole system of “beauty contest bidding” in levelling up funding is bad for #localgovernment.
It creates a “begging bowl culture” where councils are required to spend too much time and money to meet the ever-changing demands of Ministers, rather than plan for the long-term.
We were pleased to contribute published written evidence to @CommonsPAC for this report.
The means by which levelling up funding is allocated to local government in England is counterproductive.
It’s time to recognise the funding model for English Local Government is broken.
APPG South East was pleased to host @NaturalEngland for a briefing session on #NatureRecovery across the region. Thank you to Chair @SallyAnn1066 and guests including @CarolineLucas @PBottomleyMP.
"The funding model for local councils is broken. The business rates system is overly complex and in need of reform. Council tax is outdated and increasingly regressive."
- Clive Betts MP, Chair
Read our report on local authorities in financial distress: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5804/cmselect/cmcomloc/56/report.html
Devolution to Surrey & Buckinghamshire was a welcome part of today's #Budget2024 with details to be seen. But far more revenue raising powers should be devolved across the board including to Districts & Boroughs to boost local growth and empower communities.
Councils are on their last legs & today's #Budget2024 doesn't even mention sticking plasters. 12 S114 notices have been issued in England since 2018 compared to 1 in before 2000. We heard little today on reversing this trend & priorisiting local services.
When push comes to shove, today’s #Budget2024 does not reverse the fact that council spending power is 40% lower than it was in 2010. Tax cuts & more NHS funding, yet no mention of local government finance. Councils need a new funding deal.
Thank you @SECouncils and @SallyAnn1066 for putting on and hosting the South East Parliamentary reception and the opportunity to promote the great work of @MigrationSE
Last week we visited Oxford City Council as part of our Disabled People in the Housing Sector inquiry 🏘️
Thank you to the service users and council officers who took time to share their views on accessible housing to inform our work.
Follow the inquiry: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/7835/disabled-people-in-the-housing-sector/
The South East Strategic Partnership for Migration (SESPM) provides a leadership, coordination and advisory function for migration in the South East. SESPM is hosted by South East England Councils, with all SESPM work funded by the Home Office.
The South East Strategic Partnership for Migration (SESPM) provides a leadership, coordination and advisory function for migration in the South East. SESPM is hosted by South East England Councils, with all SESPM work funded by the Home Office.