SEEDAEconomic partnerships have played a major role in influencing the Regional Economic Strategy produced by SEEDA, through consultations with business, provision of expert knowledge and contributing to specific parts of the document.
Some of the key activities include the following:
- SEEP has championed the development of spatial economic priorities in the RES and Surrey now leads on the development of priorities in the Inner South East Area bringing together all key stakeholders and developing an implementation plan for this section of the RES in relation to the three core objectives.
- West Sussex and East Sussex EP’s lead the strategic development on the RES Coastal Strategy.
- Bucks and East Sussex EP’s are working closely with SEEDA on a strategy for the rural areas
- Of key importance to SEEDA is that EP’s provide effective working across administrative boundaries and the ability to facilitate working with local authorities and business organisations within a particular economic area such as the Gatwick Diamond.
- EP’s have made considerable contributions to the Local Area Agreement work and in many cases have led the Economic Block work helping to integrate SEEDA as members of Local Strategic Partnerships as well as setting up LAA’s around RES priorities.
- Oxfordshire EP produced the Economic Development Strategy for Oxfordshire which has been endorsed by all key partners and has fed into the LAA Economy and Enterprise block. This in turn now acts as the implementation plan for significant parts of the Regional Economic Strategy
- Surrey and Thames Valley EP’s undertook a major economic review of the Surrey and Thames Valley economies focusing on the impact of Heathrow Airport as part of the RES consultation process and are developing the work further as part of the Inner SE sub-regional action plan.
- West Sussex, East Sussex and Surrey and have been leading local partners and BT to expedite the rollout of Broadband across their counties. This involved raising awareness and giving advice on the benefits to businesses. Broadband coverage in West Sussex for example now exceeds 99%. The agenda has now moved on now to achieve greater usage by businesses and to raise awareness of the opportunity to reduce travel by home and teleworking.
- Economic Partnerships have developed integrated strategies and business models for leading and co-ordinating most of the economic development and RES initiatives in their respective areas.
Both collectively and individually all economic partnerships have a very impressive programme for 2007/8 which will concentrate on local delivery of the Regional Economic Strategy, South East Plan and Local Area Agreements. Each EP will continue to monitor the economic performance within their area and work with adjoining EP’s and all stakeholders to enhance the economy of the South East overall and their particular area.
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