SOUTH EAST ENGLAND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY   

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 WHO ARE WE?

The South East England Development Agency was established by the Government in April 1999 by the Regional Development Agency Act 1998, to take the strategic lead in promoting the sustainable economic development of the region.

WHAT IS OUR MISSION?

SEEDA's mission is to work with its partners to make the South East of England a World Class region, achieving sustainable development and enhanced quality of life, as measured by :

  • economic prosperity;

  • environmental quality; and

  • social inclusion - ensuring opportunities and meaningful employment for all.

WHAT DO WE DO?

We work with our partners across all sectors to agree the strategic framework and priorities for promoting sustainable economic development in all parts of the region. We published the region's first economic strategy in October 1999 following consultation with 20,000 organisations and individuals across the region.

We also work with our partners to develop and fund activities that make a real difference on the ground. For example, we provide funding and other support for initiatives that:

  • promote business enterprise, competitiveness and innovation. The network of enterprise hubs - linking business to universities and other centres of excellence in research - is a prime example of this;

  • help ensure that we know the learning and skills needs of our businesses and that these are met quickly;

  • help attract the right type of international investment to the region - investment that will bring much needed jobs to some parts of the region and enable sustainable growth and competitiveness in others;

  • address the regeneration needs of our deprived communities so that they contribute to and benefit from the general prosperity of the region;

  • promote the sustainable use of land by bringing previously developed sites back into use for business, housing, recreation or generally to improve the environment.

In our first two years, SEEDA has invested some £150 million in urban and rural regeneration schemes, and in initiatives to promote the development of skills, business competitiveness, investment and innovation.

WHO DO WE ANSWER TO?

SEEDA is formally accountable to the Government and to Parliament. The Chairman and members of the SEEDA Board are appointed by the Deputy Prime Minister. We are funded primarily by the three Government Departments that have the closest interest in our activities. These are the Departments of Trade and Industry, Environment, Transport and the Regions, and the Education and Employment.

SEEDA also works closely with the South East England Regional Assembly and the Government Office for the South East. The three regional organisations have very different but complementary roles:

  • SEEDA is the region's economic development agency funded by but operating at arms length from Government;

  • GOSE represents the Government in the region across a wide range of policy areas;

  • The Regional Assembly is the representative voice of the region. It provides local democratic accountability for SEEDA and has responsibility for regional planning guidance and transport strategy.

WHAT AREA DOES SEEDA COVER?

SEEDA covers the county and unitary authority areas within the South East region - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex. The region includes 12 unitary authorities and 55 district/borough councils.

 

 

  Latest News and Documents

Design Short-List Announced for Bexhill Seafront Development - 28 Jan 2004
The South’s Premier Industrial Event Gets Support from SEEDA - 28 Jan 2004
‘Touchdown’ Winner to Locate at Royal Holloway - Surrey Enterpise Hub 26 Jan 2004
Structure & Dynamics of the South-East Economy - Reducing Intra-regional Disparities
Opportunities and Challenges of EU Enlargement
ABOUT SEEDA
SEEDA Home Page Broadband
Introduction to SEEDA Business & International
Board Members and Executives Chatham Maritime
Board Meetings Enterprise Hubs & Gateways
Documents Europe
Corporate Statements Hastings & Bexhill
SEEDA Events Housing
SEEDA Job Opportunities Our Partners
SEEDA Tenders Our Partners' Job Opportunities
SEView (Regional News Magazine) Regional Economic Strategy 2002-2012
News Rural
Contact Details Urban Renaissance

PROPERTY LOCATION.

Moving into new offices - or starting to work from home - should be a motivating experience. Whether you're looking for commercial property for the first time or seeking a change, consider the main factors in advance, to reduce the headaches later.

  • Thinking of Moving alerts you to the implications of disruption, cost, location and property size.

  • Finding Premises helps you to distinguish between buying, leasing, licensing; it provides sources and examples of business accommodation in Sussex and beyond.

  • Equipping and Furnishing covers the considerations of fixtures and fittings (including IT and planning matters), information on health and safety plus ways of reducing your utility bills.

  • Working from Home looks at the legal, tax and other implications of this popular alternative to going to the office

  • Rural Diversification helps you find property in converted farm properties (outside the Wealden area).

  • Finance indicates various ways of meeting the costs and possible funding sources.

Finding the right sort of office space for your business can be a challenge - more so in some areas because of rogue planners.  Wealden is widely held to be one such affected area.  In addition to the other farming cases featured on this site, we know of several cases in the Wealden District where fruit, fish and ostrich business/farm investments went pear shaped because of David Phillips led enforcement!  You may want to think again about moving to Wealden.  David Phillips is reputed to have a "kills" collection - a personal library of mobile home demolitions, on which evidence this council have apparently promoted the gentleman.  The message is clear!  By comparison, Eastbourne, Seaford, Bexhill, Worthing and other locations in Sussex offer helpful advice and a friendly service.  If these councils make a mistake, you are more likely to see it resolved fairly and speedily - thus reducing the damage to your enterprise.

 

There are  health and safety implications, for example, the correct equipment, sufficient space. Normally, you would require separate toilet washing and food preparation facilities.  We know of several cases where Wealden District Council's enforcement officer, David Phillips, has used ratepayers money to gain injunctions to remove toilets/washing facilities, contrary to the Health & Safety Regulations 1992.  In one case at Herstmonceux in Sussex the occupier was ordered to remove this equipment required by law.  On appeal to the High Court, they refused to allow a letter from the Health & Safety Executive to be adduced - which proved H&S Regs. take precedence.  However, Dame Butler Schloss made it clear that after removing the toilet, etc, to comply with the injunction, the owner should refit the equipment to comply with H&S Regulations. So much for justice! The situation was eventually restored but at a cost of £20,000 in costs, plus the inconvenience of a two year wait and the worry.  That's Wealden for you!

DIVERSIFICATION:-

Conversion of redundant buildings for non-farming uses:-

  • The conversion of barns for residential or light industrial use.  What are the chances of a fair determination?

  • The conversion of redundant outbuildings into holiday lettings.  What has been approved in your area?

  • The conversion of redundant buildings for light industrial use - such as storage, craft-type industries, workshops and offices - is now a major activity. Attractions include the rural setting, reasonable rents, easy parking and the availability of local employees.  Wealden are particularly anti rural industrial developments - unless of course you are in the club.  A backhander might assist - but why should you pay?

  • Within Sussex there has been a rapid growth in equestrian activities and many farmers are converting outbuildings to provide stabling on full livery on a DIY basis.  Don't believe it.  See the demolition of the Bushy Wood stables - apparently Wealden hate horses, either that or they discriminate between operators!  It cost Mr & Mrs Punter almost everything they had and ruined their lives.  Either way can you afford to take the risk.

Creating added value to raw products:-

  • Many farmers have diversified into the processing of their own products such as cheese making, yoghurt manufacture.  Others suffer discrimination and repeated harassment from Wealden District Council's chief enforcement officer, such as Hammer Lane Farm, Horam and Hackhurst Lane Farm.

  • The smaller meat producers are collaborating to set up a meat marketing co-operative to sell their products through local outlets including restaurants, pubs, butchers, pie makers etc. Farmers Markets also form an important direct outlet for producers.

News Releases 2004  
  Education minister marks advent of unversity education for Hastings 02 Feb 2004
Cowes Waterfront - Venture Quays Open for Business 03 Feb 2004
Design Short-List Announced for Bexhill Seafront Development 28 Jan 2004
The South’s Premier Industrial Event Gets Support from SEEDA 28 Jan 2004
‘Touchdown’ Winner Chooses to Locate at Royal Holloway - Site of the Surrey Enterpise Hub 26 Jan 2004
King Sturge Selected to Advise on Key Cowes Waterfront Site 23 Jan 2004
Building of Doctors’ Surgery and Community Centre on St Mary ’s Island, Chatham Maritime Underway 23 Jan 2004
Switching to a Flexible Life 15 Jan 2004

SEEDA Announces Development Initiative to Support New Business Start-Ups

14 Jan 2004
Developer Announces Plans to Build New Community on Chatham Maritime 07 Jan 2004
Anthony Dunnett Awarded CBE in 2004 New Year’s Honours List 06 Jan 2004
Rural Broadband - South East Tackles the Digital Divide 06 Jan 2004
   
 News Releases 2003  
Statement 16 December 2003 - National Airports Strategy 16 Dec 2003
Southern Medica Alliance and its Members herald Medica 2003 Success 16 Dec 2003
Awards Scheme Seeks Creative Ideas for Art in Public Places 09 Dec 2003
Quality first for Rochester Riverside 04 Dec 2003
New Industry-Led Course Gives Head Start to Career Minded Students 04 Dec 2003
Ore Valley Regeneration Plans get Overwhelming Local Support 04 Dec 2003
SEEDA Celebrates Sustainable Businesses Across the South East 27 Nov 2003
New Board Members for South East England Development Agency 24 Nov 2003
Social Enterprise - Business but not as we know it 19 Nov 2003
Second Major Site Secured for Cowes Waterfront 12 Nov 2003
Regional Development Agencies Welcome Haskins Review of Rural Delivery 11 Nov 2003
Completion of Kent Coalfield Regeneration Well Underway 30 Oct 2003
A Crucial New Business Link for Slough Entrepreneurs 27 Oct 2003
New Appointment Set to Make Significant Impact on New and Young in Businesses in the Medway Area 27 Oct 2003
If You Can’t Beat It, Surf It! - Businesses Cannot Hold Back the Tidal Wave of Concern for a Sustainable Future 24 Oct 2003
New Chief Executive for SEEDA 22 Oct 2003
Rural Broadband - South East Tackles the Digital Divide 15 Oct 2003
International Design Practice Appointed to Masterplan Woolston Shipyard 15 Oct 2003
SEEDA Acquires Premier GKN Site for Cowes Waterfront 13 Oct 2003
South East Business Transformations Programme - Free Seminars to Transform your Business 10 Oct 2003
Seeda Creates a New Future for Twyford Bathrooms Site on the Isle of Sheppey 09 Oct 2003
Northbourne Park School Visit Buckland Paper Mill 09 Oct 2003
Consultants on board for Rochester Riverside 09 Oct 2003
Enterprise Gateway for Adur - New Initiative to Help Businesses in Shoreham 03 Oct 2003
University Centre Hastings Opens Doors to Students 02 Oct 2003
SEEDA 'Lean Manufacturing' Programme Officially Launched October 2003
Importance of Nano and Micro Technologies to the South East Highlighted at Oxford Conference 26 Sep 2003
European Funding for Interpol Freight Transport Project 24 Sep 2003
Eccles Over Fifties Club Gets Free Computers 15 Sep 2003
New Home for Historic Model Ships Planned in Chatham 15 Sep 2003
Work Starts on £3.5 Million Business Centre in Gosport 08 Sep 2003
Vinci Investments to Build New Medway Area HQ for Kent Police 04 Sep 2003
Summertime and the Learning is Easy 27 Aug 2003
Design Competition Shortlist Announced for Hastings Pelham Square 22 Aug 2003
Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott launches new phase in £400 million investment programme for the regeneration of Hastings and Bexhill 18 Aug 2003
Headway Surrey Gets Free Computers 18 Aug 2003
Design Team Announced for Hastings Station Plaza 15 Aug 2003
Hastings and Bexhill in Broadband Showcase Project 06 Aug 2003
SEE-iN Signposts Regional Intelligence 06 Aug 2003
Nigel Griffiths Mp Highlights Opportunities For Electronics Companies In The Asia Pacific Region 29 Jul 2003
South-East Businesses Must Adapt To New Environmental Legislation 28 Jul 2003
Global Market Opportunities for South-East Environmental Technology Businesses 28 Jul 2003
CITB Announces New Workforce Mobility Research Programme for the South East and London 28 Jul 2003
Success at the Paris Airshow for the South East of England 04 Jul 2003
Vocational Training: Why bother? July 2003
learn2earn set to help young people improve career prospects July 2003
SEEDA launches First Regional Design Champions Club in UK 30 Jun 2003
Finance South East (FSE) and the Seeda Offer Package of Financial Funding Advice to Entrepreneurs 24 Jun 2003
SEEDA Backs the Garnett Foundation's Embrace Diversity Events 24 Jun 2003
High South East Housing Costs Hit Public Sector 23 Jun 2003
SEEDA to Appoint Women’s Enterprise Champion 16 Jun 2003
SEEDA’s Six Million Pound Investment Means 'Happier Times' for New Guests at Oxford Prison Castle 13 Jun 2003
SEEDA Chief Executive to Step Down in December 12 Jun 2003
Trading Opportunities for Electronics Industry Highlighted at Asia Pacific Reception for Nigel Griffiths MP 12 Jun 2003
Buckland Mill Planning Brief goes to Public Consultation 06 Jun 2003
New Business Park and Centre Receives Green Light in Gosport May 2003
Council's Go-ahead for 'Frater Gate Business Park' Expected to Create Over a Hundred New Jobs May 2003
Ministers Champion Rural Broadband Schemes 30 May 2003
South East Secures £110 Million Investment Boost 30 May 2003
SEEDA Tops Investment Charts 08 May 2003

 

GOSE represents Central Government. GOSE works to influence, contract and develop Government programmes and initiatives at a regional and local level by working in partnership with relevant organisations to meet local needs. Using its knowledge of the region it is able to ensure that Government money is spent on the right projects in the right areas. It is also able to ensure that Ministers are aware of local issues when making decisions.

One of GOSE's main objectives is to support and promote a coherent regional approach to competitiveness, sustainable development, regeneration and social inclusion. To this end GOSE works with a number of regional partners to carry out its work. In particular, it works closely with the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and the Regional Assembly. Other partners include local authorities, Learning and Skills Councils, Police Forces, Drug Action Teams, the NHS, Countryside Agency, Business Links, British Trade International and transport providers in the public and private sector.

 

SEEDA - Cross Lanes, Guildford, GU1 1YA  England   Email seeda@seeda.co.uk  Tel: +44 (0) 1483 484200 Fax: +44 (0) 1483 484247

 

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs  For examples of best practice and numerous sources of financial assistance.

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Personnel advice and discussion

Inland Revenue  For help with the tax implications of working from home

Health & Safety Executive To assess the safety of your new working environment