Press Statements

Over 100 projects were awarded a share of £2.1 billion from Round 2 of the Government’s flagship Levelling Up Fund today. In response, Chair of South East Councils, Cllr Nicolas Heslop, said: “Of course, we welcome much needed funding to level up left behind areas in the South East. “The South East has some of …

South East Councils respond to Levelling Up Fund Round 2 Read More »

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 »

Council leaders from across the South East, are today [Wednesday 19th October] calling on the Government to allow cohorts of councils in the region to run a two-year financial devolution pilot. Paul Scully MP, Minister for DHLUC heard from a broad range of local leaders and stakeholders from the South East at a major summit, …

South East is ripe for a fiscal devolution trial Read More »

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 »

Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill Responding to publication of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, South East Councils (SEC) said the lack of ambition was disappointing.  SEC Chair, Cllr Nicolas Heslop said: “Where is the ambitious Levelling Up approach we have been promised? Councils need to be empowered to address inequalities within the South East …

Where is the so-called levelling up? Read More »

By Cllr Tony Page, Vice Chair of South East Councils and Deputy Leader, Reading Borough Council The global economic outlook is bleak and is being felt close to home as the cost of living crisis threatens and energy costs look set to spiral out of reach for a sizeable number of UK households. Against this …

Let the South East raise new revenues to boost economy Read More »

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 »

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 »