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SEEDA Targets Sustained Growth and Prosperity for 2006
08th December 2005
The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has outlined its top line priorities to maintain the global competitiveness of the South East of England – the region that drives the UK's economy. Currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the Regional Economic Strategy (RES), SEEDA has just presented plans for the future and reviewed progress to date at its Annual Open Public Meeting in Brighton.
The Open Public Meeting is an opportunity for residents and businesses in the South East to be informed of SEEDA's plans and progress and directly question the Agency's Board of Directors and Executive Team. At this year's meeting, the Agency reported on strong progress in the 2004-05 financial year, including the creation and safeguarding of over 5,000 jobs in the region, the remediation of 66 hectares of brownfield land for re-use, the creation of over 12,000 learning opportunities and the delivery of £40m, levered into the region's deprived wards.
In a full agenda, introduced by SEEDA Chairman James E Brathwaite CBE, SEEDA's Chief Executive, Pam Alexander, presented a review of key initiatives and progress in 2004-05 as well as highlighting future plans; SEEDA's Director of Strategy and Sustainability, Paul Lovejoy, introduced the new RES Consultation Document, published in November for the region's comment; and Paul Bevan, Chief Executive of the South East England Regional Assembly (the Assembly), the organisation which scrutinises SEEDA's work, commented on the Assembly's view of SEEDA's activities.
Ms Alexander commented: "In 2004-2005 we made excellent progress in our programmes throughout the region, as well as beginning work on our review of the RES. In the new RES, which will be published in spring next year, it is vital that we face up to some really tough decisions. The future prosperity of the South East, and the UK's economy as a whole, depends on investment and continued sustainable growth in our region. We cannot take for granted our current strengths. SEEDA is fully committed to supporting improved productivity through 'smart growth' and to providing the most supportive environment to enable the region's businesses to prosper and remain globally competitive. A key strength of the South East is the high quality of life it offers – a vital competitive edge in the global marketplace."
Many SEEDA programmes delivered impressive individual results over the past year. The network of 22 Enterprise Hubs, set up to provide advice and support to start-up companies in the high technology sector, was being used by over 1,800 companies in 2004-05, making it probably the world's largest business incubation network, according to US reports. The South East's six Sector Consortia, enabling companies in the region to collaborate and identify market opportunities, demonstrated that they were worth around £25 billion per annum to the region, with 10,000 businesses active within these groups. SEEDA has also contracted again with EEF South to deliver the Manufacturing Advisory Service in the region, which has so far delivered £20 million of added value to the manufacturing sector.
Other regional-based successes include Computer Clubs 4 Girls, a scheme designed to open up IT access and skills to 13-and 14-year old girls. This was piloted very successfully in the South East and has been rolled out nationally in a £8 million initiative which will reach 150,000 schoolgirls throughout England. SEEDA also expanded the University Centre in Hastings to provide new floor space, and built new premises and converted listed buildings at the Universities at Medway campus, as part of the Chatham Maritime regeneration project. Chatham Maritime also achieved great success in the past year, including a commendation under the RICS Building of the Year Award for 'Regeneration Project of the Year'.
Internationally, SEEDA's Global Regions Initiative made great progress, with the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding with the Chinese Municipal authorities of Beijing and Shanghai. Chinese companies have already visited the South East to explore collaborative business opportunities as a result, and it is hoped that universities in the South East and in these Chinese city regions will also benefit from joint research and knowledge transfer.
Major priorities outlined for 2006 and onwards include: the completion of the RES review, focusing on the sustainable prosperity of the South East in the face of the challenges of growing economies such as China and India; ensuring that the Assembly's South East Plan reflects the RES, and that the major development programmes under way in three Growth Areas in the South East deliver a sustainable mix of homes, jobs and community amenities; contributing to the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review in 2007 to demonstrate the effectiveness of regional programmes and make the case for further public investment in the South East as a world class element of the UK economy; and working with London and the East of England – the region which, including the South East is known as "The Greater South East"– on the development of facilities for the Olympics as well as on existing programmes such as the regeneration of the Thames Gateway.
Ms Alexander concluded: "We have a very exciting time ahead and the region is set to grow and thrive in the future, as long as we focus on the right strategies and secure funding to achieve them. I look forward to reporting an equally successful year of achievement at next year's Open Public Meeting."
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