�鶹��ý

Residents and stakeholders will be able to give their views on the draft �鶹��ý Economic Recovery Plan later this year.

The plan outlines a vision for �鶹��ý’s future prosperity and recovery from the pandemic. �鶹��ý Borough Council’s Cabinet agreed that the plan will be subject to a six-week public consultation from May at its meeting last night (Wednesday 10 March).

The draft Economic Recovery Plan is designed to provide 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. The Plan highlights schemes proposed for delivery, a number of which can already be taken forward thanks to government funding secured by the council and partners from the �鶹��ý Economic Recovery Taskforce.

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 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 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 7,000 redundancies at the airport – nearly 33 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 more than trebled from 2.4 per cent to 8.3 per cent
• The youth unemployment claimant count is almost 13 per cent, which is nearly 1,000 young people

The draft plan is available to view on our consultation page.

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