Kent and Essex county councils are leading the way regaining important powers lost to regional and national quangos in an attempt to bring greater public accountability to economic development.
Under plans submitted to the Local Government Association, Essex County Council and Kent County Council propose to use the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 to take back powers from the Homes & Communities Agency, the Highways Agency and the South-East and East of England regional development agencies.
Successful economic development strategies work best at levels that make sense to local people. This means cities; counties and towns that have existed for centuries and not unaccountable, illogical and arbitrary government-imposed regions that date back to 1999.
While some regional agencies have a role to play, the balance of power is currently weighted against local communities and in favour of distant civil servants.
Kent and Essex are proud counties that people and businesses can relate to, more power to their elbows.
