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

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

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,

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

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

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