A sustainable and prosperous economy
A sustainable and prosperous
economy in West Sussex is key to the future wellbeing of the county and it has
never been more important for us to focus on this given the ongoing economic
challenges. Ensuring that businesses are supported to sustain and grow, that
local people have access to well-paid employment and that the conditions are
right for enterprise and innovation will have a positive impact on the
long-term health of residents and on the potential of young people. We will
focus our activity in the following areas.
- We will deliver the Council’s Economy Plan, focussing on the economic challenges faced by different places in the county, on supporting new and existing businesses and key sectors, on employment and skills activities to support and create jobs, and on digital technology to boost the economy. Climate change and the environment will underpin our approach to supporting the economy.
- We will work with district and borough councils and other partners on strategic opportunities to promote sustainable economic and jobs growth across the county, including through taking advantage of national or other funding and potential future devolution opportunities.
- West Sussex Growth Deals – we will continue to deliver on existing deals with district and borough councils, which aim to support town centre growth, unlock housing and employment sites, and attract investment. We will seek to refresh deals that are due to expire after their 5-year term.
- Social value framework – we will ensure our procurement processes are accessible to local providers in order to maximise the use of local suppliers in our supply chains and secure added economic, social and environmental benefits for our residents. For example, jobs and opportunities for local people and access to education, training, and support.
- We will work with social care providers to develop and deliver a new market sustainability plan to support the delivery of affordable and sustainable care provision to meet residents needs to maintain and support their independence.
- West Sussex Transport Plan – we will pursue the vision, objectives, and strategic priorities for improving the transport network in the period 2022-36 set out in our West Sussex Transport Plan agreed in April 2022, to enable active travel and access to education, employment, and services, and decarbonise the transport system while protecting the local environment.
- We will maintain our roads to enable a safe and effective transport option that offers choice, is convenient to use, enhances the environment and enables economic growth.
- Digital infrastructure – we will work with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the telecoms market to accelerate gigabit-capable infrastructure; support economic growth and innovation; enable connected spaces that serve both the people and places of West Sussex.
- We will work with employers, education, and training providers to progress skills and employment opportunities to support residents and the local economy in the medium and longer term.
- We will continue to deliver commitments in our Climate Change Strategy, in particular positioning the county as a place for innovation in green technology and renewable energy. We will take advantage of all finance options, including Government grants and ‘green finance’ options but we will also play a key role in influencing others to make the right choice and encourage and enable the community and businesses to innovate and make decisions which optimise the use of renewable energy, reduce carbon impact, and promote nature recovery and biodiversity.