South West Councils

South West Councils brings together the 41 local authorities in the region to:

• Provide a voice for constituent local authorities on major issues affecting the South West
• Influence Government policy as it affects the region
• Encourage partnership working between local authorities and other organisations and agencies in the South West on policy issues where a broader regional approach is required
• Promote the sharing of good practice
• Support councils through delivery of the Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (SW RIEP).

The Strategic Leaders’ Board is the executive arm of South West Councils. The Strategic Leaders' Board received responsibilities for Planning, Transport and Housing formerly undertaken by the Regional Assembly in May 2009. The Strategic Leaders’ Board aims to provide a local government, democratic input into strategic decisions and priorities for the region.The 20 strong Strategic Leaders’ Board is a grouping of local authority leaders made up of County and Unitary Council Leaders and one each from the Districts in Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Somerset.

Having taken on the Regional Assembly’s former responsibilities the Strategic Leaders’ Board will be working jointly with the South West Regional Development Agency Board on developing new plans for the region. The work previously carried out by the Regional Assembly can currently be found here. Work areas will be transferred to the South West Councils website as appropriate.

Peter Brown, Director of Policy and Planning