The latest figures from the Annual Population Survey (APS) relating to economic activity in West Sussex and its local authority areas was released in January and related to the year October 2019-September 2020.  The APS is a sample survey of households and gives some indication of labour market trends.  The lowest level geography for which data is available is for local authorities, but because of the small sample frame there may be some anomalies in the data as it is not statistically robust.  

The latest data is for the year up to September 2020 so around 6 months following the first lockdown due to COVID-19, and there was some expectation that we would be begin to see more of a reduction in economic activity rates, and employment rates – i.e. those economically active who are in work.  Generally this has been the trend, and as the pandemic continues this trend is expected to continue.  West Sussex continues to have higher economic activity rates, and employments than the regional and national average with Adur having the highest employment rate (85.8)  and Arun the lowest (74.9)

The Council adopted the Economy Reset Plan 2020 – 2024 in November 2020 in response to the impact of COVID-19 on West Sussex businesses and residents. The focus in the first few months has been on initiatives to support enterprises and businesses, including the Recover and Rise Programme with 500 participants, setting up new programmes for low carbon and boosting innovation, supporting The Track Creative Digital Hub in Bognor Regis to be ready for launch when the time is right.

We have been considering the employment and skills changes, and how the Council can support ourselves and in partnership.  We have initiated a new West Sussex Digital Support Programme, coordinating a countywide effort with the Districts and Boroughs and the LEP for businesses, and are focussing on support for the visitor economy sector so hard hit my COVID. This has included the Experience West Sussex Destination Partnership Shop Sussex campaign for festive season, Summer in West Sussex campaign, buy-in to regional `Gourmet and Gardens` campaign, and representing the needs of businesses as well as the establishment of the Sussex Tourism and Culture Recovery Group (via SRF) to maximise opportunities to support sector recovery through Sussex collaboration and brand.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) - we are working in partnership with Coastal West Sussex to support the ‘Full STEaM Ahead’ project to increase STEaM skills careers development in schools and with employers. Funding and opportunities for this area of work are being explored. It includes continued work on the STEaM countywide strategy and programme and linking to related projects such as the creative and digital sector.

SPARK social enterprises - The WP2 Accelerator Programme is now completed. The successful programme is currently being evaluated with the help of 25 social enterprises that have benefited from the project. The modules of support for start-ups are complete and about to be launched. The Innovation Network has more than 300 members. 

Mature workforce - Mature workforce is a new priority identified in the Economic Growth Plan. A scoping document has identified key issues, partners and statistics and will inform four potential workstreams: commuters, making the case with employers, digital skills and self-employment and business start-ups. The workstreams are now being developed into action plans together with potential partners.