Archived decisions

REGIONAL EMPHASIS DOCUMENT

1. Members may be aware that in preparation for the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review, regions were tasked by the Treasury with preparing regional emphasis documents setting down current thinking as to how Government resources might be deployed more "smartly" to achieve, principally, competitiveness goals. The Treasury stressed that there was no new money for the years under consideration by the spending review (2006-07 and 2007-08) and that any money that was available would be targeted to achieve maximum gain in line with Government priorities.

2. The Cabinet has now examined the Regional Emphasis Document (RED) as approved by the South East England Region Assembly, the South East England Development Agency and the Government Office for the South East which was prepared following considerable input from a wide range of organisations. The document covers a wide spectrum of topics ranging from investment in infrastructure and public services through to measures to encourage entrepreneurial activities and business start-ups. In responding formally, the Cabinet has broadly welcomed the RED document and in particular its assertion that there is a clear and pressing need for increased and timely Central Government investment (capital and revenue) in infrastructure and public services in the South East. The concern of the County Council at the perceived failure of the Government to recognise properly the impact of additional housing on, specifically, roads, transport, education, health and water supplies has also been highlighted.

3. Copies of both the RED document and the full text of the County Council's response are available on request to the Chief Executive.