The Government disbanded regional development agencies like EEDA (East of England Development Agency) and replaced them with Local Enterprise Partnerships. South East LEP covers Essex, Kent and East Sussex making it the largest partnership of its kind between private and public
sector bodies outside London.
Local Enterprise Partnerships are important for anyone doing business in the areas they serve. The breakfast briefing has been organised by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) to provide
an update on the South East LEP’s progress and future plans.
ICE Regional Director for the East of England Glen Owen said: “Local Enterprise Partnerships were set up to bring together public and private sectors to strategically plan and deliver economic growth including the right infrastructure. The area covered by the South East LEP contributes £63 billion a year to the economy playing a key role in the country’s future prosperity.”
In recent months the South East LEP has:
- Commissioned consultants to report on airport capacity in the South East and consider the
Thames Estuary Hub Airport proposals. - Lobbied Government Ministers regarding free flow tolling at the Dartford Crossing and regarding the Third Lower Thames Crossing
- Allocated around £33 million Growing Places Funding to 12 schemes which will help accelerate stalled developments to create much needed new jobs and homes.
- Published a Rail Manifesto, in partnership with New Anglia LEP which covers Norfolk and Suffolk.
- Identified key pinch points for highways improvements across the three counties
- Supported moves for improvements on the M25 especially at Junctions 30/31
- Welcomed the development of the London Gateway and DP World ports
Glen continued: “These are all areas of considerable interest to civil engineers so we are delighted that Dr Susan Priest has agreed to attend this special breakfast briefing and share with us infrastructure plans and to take questions from our members about how those plans can be best delivered.”
Susan Priest, said: “Civil engineers have a key role to play in delivering the much needed infrastructure improvements to enhance economic growth in the South East. I welcome this opportunity to meet with ICE members who have the expertise and professional knowledge to help us
achieve our goals.
“The South East LEP is working with a range of partners to achieve its core aim of creating the most enterprising economy in England. I am looking forward to this event and establishing a good working partnership with the civil engineering profession.”
The Breakfast Briefing is being held from 7.00am until 9.30am on Thursday 11 October 2012 at High House Production Park, Vellacott Close, Off London Road, Purfleet, Essex, RM19 1RJ.
Bookings can be made on-line at www.ice.org.uk/eastofengland
The South East Local Enterprise Partnership is a partnership involving leaders from business, local government, and further and higher education which is working towards creating the most enterprising economy in England. It covers East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend, and
Thurrock. It is the largest strategic partnership of its kind outside of London. It represents a combined population of 3.9 million people and is home to more than 130,000 businesses, which provide more than 1.3 million jobs. It is a critical port and gateway area in a strategic location between London,
Europe and the global economy. The areas covered by the LEP are the country’s economic powerhouse contributing £63 billion a year to the national economy.
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