A GOVERNMENT minister has paid tribute to the shared vision and “joined- up thinking” of both the private and public sector within the Haven Gateway sub-region.

A GOVERNMENT minister has paid tribute to the shared vision and “joined- up thinking” of both the private and public sector within the Haven Gateway sub-region.

Speaking at a House of Commons event organised by the Haven Gateway Partnership (HGP) and hosted by Ipswich MP Chris Mole, Iain Wright, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, also commended the area for its ambition.

The event was organised as a platform for the HGP to lobby the Government and its agencies, particularly the newly formed Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), to provide more funding and policy support to improve infrastructure within the sub-region.

More than 140 guests representing the region attended the event to hear presentations from Mr Mole, George Kieffer (chairman of HGP), Deborah Cadman, (chief executive of EEDA), councillors Jeremy Pembroke, Anne Turrell and David Lines, Phil Dance (managing director for technology exploitation at BT) and David Ralph (HGP chief executive).

Speakers highlighted how the Haven Gateway has delivered significant growth over and above other areas and the need for greater recognition from government through appropriate investment in key transport, utilities and green infrastructure as set out in the partnership's recently launched Integrated Development Programme.

Mr Ralph said: “The sub-regions greatest asset is its exceptional quality of place. It's further enhancement can only be achieved through additional investment in the sub-region's infrastructure.

“The Integrated Development Programme delivers a joined-up response to these issues including setting out that as an International Gateway economic growth is not just crucial to the future economic prosperity of the East of England, but also crucial to the future of UK plc.”

Mr Wright, who was joined at the event by Barbara Follett, Minister for the East of England, said there was recognition of the Haven Gateway Partnership and the significant difference it makes to the way the area works.

“It is great that the Haven Gateway Partnership Integrated Development Programme has identified priorities and packages based on themes, and the Government wants to help meet these aspirations” he added.