But the region faces challenges in areas such as:
- infrastructure provision
- affordable housing, and
- levels of resource, use and availability of skills
The South East also has the widest range of social deprivation and economic disparities of any region outside London.
The Government Office for the South East (GOSE) focuses on the big issues and on the places where we can most add value. GOSE is uniquely positioned – we are central Government in the South East, but at the same time we understand our region, working with partners to identify local solutions for local challenges.
This is how we add value to the delivery of the Government’s Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets; working across Departmental agendas, and with local leaders and local people who understand their communities and know what can be done to improve them. We benefit hugely in delivering our vision from our relationships with national, regional, sub-regional and local partners.
Our strategic priorities for 2008-11 reflect the key challenges and opportunities faced by the region. These are the issues which really matter and where we can add value, working with our partners. They are:
- Coherent regional strategies and implementation of the Sub-National Review
- Implementing Part 5 of the Local Government and public Involvement in Health Act to realise the benefits of decentralisation and devolution
- Ensuring thriving, inclusive, safer and cohesive communities in the region
- Improving outcomes for children and young people, and narrowing the gap between children from low income and disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers
- Getting the right level of skills in the South East for 2020
- Sustainable growth and affordable housing
- Sustainability and behavioural change
- Balanced use of landscape
Our Corporate Plan for 2008-11, published in May 2008, sets out our strategic priorities for the South East in more detail.
