More than 100 council leaders and councillors from the south-east and east of England will today meet London mayor Sadiq Khan to kick-start joint plans.
The Wider South East Summit at City Hall aims to bring together people from across the political spectrum to discuss how to create a more inclusive and prosperous society for the 24m people living in the region.
Chairman of the East of England Infrastructure and Growth Group, Cllr David Finch, said: ‘We recognise the important connections within the wider south-east, and it is now more crucial than ever that we work together in a way which ensures that infrastructure investment and growth benefits all of us.
‘Through greater collaboration, we can secure our future economic prosperity and maintain our collective position as the economic heart of the nation.’
Mayor Khan said: ‘I want to reach out the hand of friendship and partnership – across geographical and party lines. Our communities, economies and housing markets are intrinsically linked.
‘We can also be united on fighting for the infrastructure we need across the wider south-east – and agree on the phasing of priority projects.
‘By combining our huge economic and political power, I’m confident we can help drive through the infrastructure projects we need.’