Kent County Council Leader Paul Carter is heading a new organisation set up to champion quality of life in the South East.

Newly formed South East England Councils (SEEC) represents all 74 councils in the region. Mr Carter has been elected as its first Chairman.

Mr Carter said: “The South East is the power house of the country. SEEC will make sure democratically elected councillors have a strong voice on a host of issues that affect everyone’s quality of life such as housing numbers, key infrastructure and investment in transport and social housing.”

Changes introduced by the Government’s Sub National Review give council leaders a key role in setting strategy for all these areas when the South East England Regional Assembly is abolished.

SEEC will work closely with the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to deliver a new South East Strategy that will replace current separate planning and economic development documents.

SEEC will elect a streamlined Leaders’ Board that will share the formal decision making powers with SEEDA.

The Leaders’ Board will include representatives from district, unitary and county councils, with members from the three main political parties.