THURROCK Council and other authorities across south Essex are putting pressure on the South East Local Enterprise Partnership to treat the area fairly.
Cllr John Kent, Leader of Thurrock Council, explained the situation at Wednesday (14 October) evening’s meeting of the cabinet.
He said: “The South East Local Enterprise Partnership, is important because it is the way government money is funnelled to councils, so we need the LEP to be supportive of what we in Thurrock and south Essex stand for.”
But he added: “That leads on to the fact the big county boys are trying to throw their weight around again. They seem to forget that south Essex is an equal partner within the LEP.
“Thurrock and south Essex has led the way in funding rounds 1 and 2 of the Local Growth Fund securing over £100 million and £164 million respectively.
“That is why it is so disappointing that while there are four federated areas, there are only three vice chairs with south Essex apparently falling within Greater Essex. This is not acceptable.”
A report to cabinet said the LEP is proposing there should be three vice chairs, representing Essex, Kent and East Sussex.
It states: “Over the summer a panel comprising the Leaders of Essex, Kent and East Sussex County Councils and the three vice chairs for Greater Essex, Kent and Medway and East Sussex decided against renewing the contract of SELEP Chairman, Peter Jones, by a majority of 4:2.
“At the SELEP Strategic Board meeting on 25 September it was agreed that a review of the Chair’s role, and the role of vice chairs, be undertaken ahead of the recruitment of a new chair.
“Thurrock Council, working with business partners, has fought hard to establish and sustain South Essex as one of four federated areas of SELEP, which has been in place now for over three years.
“While there are four federated areas there are only three vice chairs. South Essex falls within the remit of the vice chair for Greater Essex. It is the view of businesses across South Essex that their interests would be better represented by a dedicated vice chair for South Essex.
“This would better reflect the interests of South Essex businesses and communities and ensure alignment of vice chairs to federated areas.”
Members agreed they “strongly support the creation of a SELEP vice chair position for the federated area of South Essex”.
