Basildon Council Leader Elected Chair of South Essex Councils

Cllr Callaghan will lead the partnership of councils in South Essex - comprising Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock Councils as well as Essex County Council - as it takes part in critical discussions on economic growth, housing development and infrastructure investment as local government reorganisation and devolution look set to change the political map of the county.

Speaking about his new role, Cllr Callaghan said: "This region is uniquely positioned to be the jobs, growth and productivity capital of the UK but for too long we've punched below our collective weight. The economic and housing potential in South Essex is immense, with opportunities to create life-long jobs, build communities, and attract investment.

"What must and will come with that is the transformative investment in transport, digital connectivity, and public services to fully unlock the region's potential and ensure it delivers for all who live or want to start or grow a business here."

Cllr Callaghan's election comes as the county looks set to be at the forefront of a debate on local government reorganisation and devolution, with all of the current councils in Essex rumoured to be abolished and replaced by new unitary councils which will deliver all the services from social care to waste and recycling for an area.

Cllr Callaghan said: "This is an exciting time for South Essex. For the first time in a generation, we have alignment between the ambitions of local councils and the priorities of central government to invest in our region. Moments like this are rare and we must seize the opportunity to deliver real change for our residents and businesses.

"My number one priority in this role is to work with government on getting the money invested into South Essex that we need and I look forward to working with the north of Essex on creating a combined authority that can deliver this transformative change."

 

ENDS

 

Notes to editors

The councils of Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea, Thurrock and Essex County have formed South Essex Councils (SEC).

Through SEC they are working to deliver improved prosperity and wellbeing in the region by:

• tackling problems that members councils can't solve individually
• creating collective scale and impact
• providing the place leadership to promote South Essex.

Each partner council contributes resources to the SEC programmes and together they work to win new investment for the region from central government, the private sector and public partners.

The partnership began in June 2016 and signed a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2018. In October 2021 the seven councils agreed to form a Joint Committee.

Contact Basildon Council's Press Office at pressoffice@basildon.gov.uk for further information.

 

Published Tuesday 3 December 2024

 

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