Press Statements

To Win as a “Team” Central Government Needs to do More

Speaking at Conservative Party Conference today, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove spoke highly of local Councillors. Gove thanked current and former Councillors saying: “Our councillors and former councillors are the stars who guide our path forward, the local heroes responsible for thousands of acts of kindness and leadership everyday.” …

To Win as a “Team” Central Government Needs to do More Read More »

South East is Being Wilfully Ignored by Government

South East Councils has voiced concern that towns in the region are being wilfully ignored in Government funding allocations. While the Prime Minister has said that £1.1bn ‘levelling up’ investment was being invested in 55 towns, only 3 of these towns (Hastings, Bexhill-on-Sea, and Ryde) are in the South East region. South East Councils has …

South East is Being Wilfully Ignored by Government Read More »

Time for councils to get more financial control to support the UK

Councillors, businesses and members of the public in the South East are more resolute than ever in their desire for financial devolution, says South East Councils (SEC).  As local authorities expect to be overlooked in this week’s Autumn Statement, SEC, which has the majority of councils in the South East as members, is calling on …

Time for councils to get more financial control to support the UK Read More »

The ‘Great British Rail Sale’ offered few rewards for South East

By Cllr Tony Page, Vice Chair of South East Councils and Deputy Leader of Reading Borough Council  The ‘Great British Rail Sale’ offered few rewards for the South East. If we are to enact a step change in sustainable travel, the South East needs a genuinely joined up approach to transport planning and investment.  Discounted …

The ‘Great British Rail Sale’ offered few rewards for South East Read More »

South East can support UK recovery – if enabled

Responding to the local government settlement, South East Councils has said that retaining more regional revenues is key if the region is to tackle climate action, address skills gaps and deliver better local services for residents.    Cllr Nicolas Heslop, Chair of South East Councils said:  “It is widely acknowledged that council finances across the country …

South East can support UK recovery – if enabled Read More »

A centralised approach to skills cannot optimise potential say South East Councils

Cities, towns and communities in the South East have very different and specific skills needs and local partnerships and skills provision is vital if the region is to succeed. A centralised, uniform approach cannot optimise local skills potential says South East Councils as latest polling is published.  Councillor Lynne Doherty, Executive Member of South East …

A centralised approach to skills cannot optimise potential say South East Councils Read More »