Council leaders to speak up for the East of England

The 52 council leaders and elected mayors in the East of England have formed a new organisation to speak up for the people and local communities they represent.



The East of England LGA will campaign on behalf of the people who live and work in the region, ensuring their voice is heard in Westminster and Whitehall. It will also provide a wide range of quality and cost effective services to local authorities.


Under current legislation, the East of England LGA will also constitute the statutory regional “Leaders’ Board” and have responsibilities for regional strategic planning and economic development, in conjunction with the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), as part of the new Regional Strategy Board (See Notes to Editors).


East of England LGA Chairman Cllr Robert Gordon said: “We all know that the next few years are bound to bring substantial challenges for local government, particularly with the anticipated constraints on public spending. I want the regional LGA to be a forum through which its members can identify and share best practice for the benefit of the people and communities we all serve.


“It will concentrate its work in areas where, by working together, we can add value for our member councils and it will speak up for the people and communities we represent, ensuring that local government has an effective voice.


“As the first Chairman of the East of England LGA, I look forward to working with councils of all political parties (and none) in promoting and enhancing our role as the democratic voice of the region.


“We will also have to be ready to adapt should the outcome of the general election bring further changes to the regional architecture.”


The East of England LGA is a new voluntary and independent association set up by the 52 local authorities in the region following the abolition of the East of England Regional Assembly in March 2010.


The Management Committee of the East of England LGA consists of:


• Cllr Robert Gordon (Chairman, Conservative), Leader of Hertfordshire County Council


• Cllr William Nunn (Vice-Chairman, Conservative), Leader of Breckland District Council


• Cllr Ian Nimmo-Smith (Group Leader, Liberal Democrat), Leader of Cambridge City Council


• Cllr Roy Davis (Group Leader, Labour), Deputy Leader of Luton Borough Council


• Cllr Garry Hague (Conservative), Leader of Thurrock Council


Further information about the East of England LGA will be available from the 31st March 2010 at www.eelga.gov.uk when the new website goes live.


Ends



Notes to Editors:



For further information, photographs of the Management Committee or to arrange an interview with an East of England LGA spokesperson, please contact:



Stephen Hinchley - Tel: 01284 729430, Mob: 07710 312237



Claire Sefton - Tel: 01284 729427 Mob: 07920 257940

East of England Local Government Association

1. The East of England LGA is an independent organisation representing the 52 local authorities in the East of England and the regional interests of people living and working in the East of England.



2. The Association is governed by the 52 council leaders and elected mayors. Its meetings are open to the media and general public.



3. Under current legislation, the East of England LGA also constitutes the statutory regional “Leaders’ Board” with responsibilities for regional strategic planning and economic development in conjunction with the East of England Development Agency (EEDA).



Regional Strategy Board

The Regional Strategy Board is the partnership arrangement agreed between Local Government in the East of England and the East of England Development Agency (EEDA). The Regional Strategy Board provides leadership to the region on the preparation and delivery of a Regional Strategy and accountability to the region through the East of England LGA and EEDA. Further information is available at www.eelga.gov.uk/regional-strategy

East of England LGA Management Committee

Cllr Robert Gordon (Chairman), Conservative, 01992 556582

Cllr William Nunn (Vice-Chairman), Conservative, 07766 814214

Cllr Ian Nimmo-Smith (Group Leader), Liberal Democrat, 01223 577257

Cllr Roy Davis (Group Leader), Labour, 01582 730939

Cllr Garry Hague, Conservative, 01375 652099