The purpose of the Partnership is to be a framework through which partner organisations can work together to promote the economic opportunities and secure the future prosperity of this major gateway to the East of England.

The Partnership's vision for the period to 2011 is:-

 "To deliver a high quality environment for its residents, workers and visitors, by capitalising on its location as a key gateway, realising its potential for significant substantial growth, addressing its needs for economic regeneration, creating an additional focus for growth in hi-tech, knowledge based employment, related to the Cambridge clusters, and protecting and enhancing its high quality, attractive natural assets."

Key components of this vision include:

• a focus on ports, with associated transport and logistics industries
• a concentration of developing housing and jobs in Ipswich and Colchester and surrounding the ports
• encouraging the development of Colchester and Ipswich as complementary centres of creativity and innovation
• encouraging high tech knowledge based employment linked to the University of Essex and the new University Campus Suffolk
• improving the public realm and achieving high quality design
• re-connecting towns to their water fronts
• establishing a network of open spaces and green corridors across the sub-region

Structure

The Partnership is structurally split into five working groups which meet regularly to discuss projects and activities within their sector, and report back to the partnership's Board. These are: Learning, Skills and Employment, Transport and Infrastructure, Planning and Regeneration (Framework for Growth) , Business and Tourism and Culture.

In addition, the Greater Haven Housing Group overseas the housing strategy for the region.