Introduction to Surrey Economic Partnership

Surrey Economic Partnership believes that investing more in the success of the Surrey economy will bring greater benefits to UK plc

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Surrey Economic Partnership is a growing network of senior decision makers from the private, public and voluntary sectors who are keen to have a better understanding of the key challenges facing the Surrey economy and act on them by promoting the strengths of the economy and realising its potential.

The Surrey economy has a history of success but also faces the problems associated with it.  Under ever increasing pressures for development, Surrey needs the government to invest in its infrastructure to ensure Surrey economies more globally competitive and productive.  In return Surrey will make an even greater contribution to the UK plc.  Without it Surrey and the UK as a whole will suffer.

Surrey Economic Partnership is led by business, the wealth creators, and we believe that their views should be heard alongside those of the public and voluntary sector.  The Partnership has now been established for twelve years and through it we hope to encourage a greater mutual understanding between the three sectors, bring forward more innovative and creative solutions, promote the importance of economic development to the public in Surrey and collectively take our case to Government for greater level of investment in Surrey's economy and infrastructure.

Our knowledge and expertise is particularly important to the Surrey Strategic Partnership, a public-led partnership charged by Government with setting out sustainable development priorities for Surrey.  Our role will be in the development of sustainable economic priorities and plans and the agreement of the Local Area Agreements between Surrey and the Government.

Surrey is not an island, however, we have sought to strengthen our influence over the regional and national agendas by:

• Ensuring we are recognised by SEEDA as the primary Surrey Partnership organisation for delivery Surrey's economic development priorities and the Regional Economic Strategy.
• Being represented on and active in the South East Regional Assembly and working closely with the Government Office for the South East to develop SEEDA's lead role in the region as set out in the Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration, July 2007.
• Working more closely on cross border issues with other economic partnerships in the region especially across the Inner South East economic contour framework, which includes priorities such as:

          - the Gatwick Diamond economic area strategy, in conjunction with West Sussex. 
          - the strategy for the area influenced by Heathrow Airport with Thames Valley, Hampshire and West London.

We are also playing a key role in the development of the rural economy in Surrey with Surrey County Council and Surrey Community Action.

Rosco Paterson
Chairman