What is the South West Regional Assembly?
The South West Regional Assembly is a partnership of Councillors from all Local Authorities in the South West. There are currently 119 Members who make up the Regional Assembly – 79 come from the 51 Unitary, County and District Authorities in the South West; two represent the National Parks Authorities in the region; two come from the Association of Local Councils; and 36 represent the region’s Social, Economic and Environmental Partners (SEEPs). The Regional Secretariat is a small group of staff based primarily in Taunton. There are also staff based at a specialised training centre in Tormarton. They provide administrative support and policy advice to three organisations: Regional Assembly, the South West Local Government Association and the South West Provincial Employers. The Assembly was established in July 2000, and in September 2004 The Assembly was formally designated as the Regional Planning Body by the Deputy Prime Minister, with statutory responsibility for monitoring the for
