Greater Essex Prosperity Forum
What is the Greater Essex Prosperity Forum?
The Greater Essex Prosperity Forum was formed in 2004 to bring together a grouping of businesses, local authorities and other agencies that all have one thing in common, that they wish to see Essex to continue to be a vibrant and successful county.
Essex is facing significant growth in the next 15 to 20 years. The County’s three major growth areas (Thames Gateway South Essex, the Haven Gateway and the M11 Corridor) have been identified by national government as the focus of attention. The East of England Plan proposes that 505,500 houses are built in the East of England Region between 2001-2021 (an average of some 25,000 homes per year). In Essex this equates to a provision of 124,500 homes (6,200 homes per year).
The provision of employment is also a priority. A regional job target of 440,000 new jobs between 2001-2021 has been set. Within Essex, a target of 109,000 jobs will be concentrated in the major growth areas: Thames Gateway South Essex (52,000), the Haven Gateway (20,000), the London Arc (12,000) and the rest of Essex (25,000).
To help shape this future economic growth the Greater Essex Prosperity Forum (GEPF) has been established as one of the nine Sub-Regional Economic Partnerships in the East of England. GEPF brings together the sub-regional partnerships of Haven Gateway and Thames Gateway as well as other members and agencies which together represent the interests and shared aspirations of Greater Essex (including Southend and Thurrock). As well as ensuring the establishment of policy and strategic priorities across Greater Essex, the Forum is responsible for specific activities which are defined in the Forum’s Business Plan and funded by the East of England Development Agency.
