�鶹��ý

Residents, businesses and stakeholders are being asked for their views on the draft �鶹��ý Economic Recovery Plan.

The plan provides a clear vision for �鶹��ý’s future socio-economic prosperity, a clear path for recovery from the pandemic and a marker to �鶹��ý’s formidable reputation for economic productivity.

It’s the overarching strategic plan for all of our existing delivery programmes:

• Town Centre Regeneration Programme
• �鶹��ý Growth Programme
• Towns Fund
• Employment and Skills Programme.

The plan highlights new schemes proposed for delivery, and a number which are already being taken forward thanks to government funding secured by the council and partners from the �鶹��ý Economic Recovery Taskforce.

�鶹��ý Borough Council wants to hear what residents, businesses and stakeholders think about the draft plan. The consultation is now live and will run until 10 September.

The final plan will be adopted following the public consultation and consideration by the council’s Cabinet.

The proposed strategic priorities of the plan are:

• A diverse and resilient economy – renew �鶹��ý as an attractive, abundant, diverse economic powerhouse, founded on “green growth” and digital innovation
• Green transformation – establish �鶹��ý at the forefront of “green growth” and as a place where green technology businesses thrive
• Town centre renewal – secure a vibrant neighbourhood and sustainable economic future for the town centre via significant qualitative investment
• Skills for the future – to significantly improve overall social mobility among �鶹��ý residents, creating powerful and effective skills pathways
• Connected �鶹��ý – to enhance a “green” economic future for �鶹��ý by delivering low carbon transport and hyper digital connectivity.
• The �鶹��ý Economic Recovery Taskforce brings together the council, senior business and voluntary sector representatives, �鶹��ý’s MP, a government representative, the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership and West Sussex County Council.

The Taskforce will steer development of the plan, in response to the true impact of the crisis and will work together to unlock and harness further public and private investment to the maximum benefit of �鶹��ý’s community.

Covid-19 has had a huge impact on the town’s economy. The devastating effects have included:

• A major collapse in Gatwick Airport passenger numbers – nearly four million per month (2019) to 850,000 per month (2020) – has resulted in more than 16,000 fewer jobs at the airport – nearly 68 per cent of the workforce
• As many as 25,800 �鶹��ý residents have been furloughed during the past year; this is 41% of the eligible local workforce
• The unemployment claimant count in �鶹��ý has almost trebled from 2.8 per cent to 7.8 per cent
• The youth unemployment claimant count is almost 12.2 per cent, which is nearly 1,400 young people.
   

To see the plan and have your say, visit our consultation page.