Earlier this month (July 2018), the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership launched their Strategic Economic Plan, setting out their vision for the region, for the next twelve years.
The plan – Gatwick 360˚ – sets out the scope for economic growth in an area (covering the London Borough of Croydon, East Surrey, Gatwick Diamond, Brighton & Hove, Lewes and West Sussex) which is hugely important for the national economy and has Gatwick Airport at its heart.
Their vision by 2030, as outlined in the Strategic Economic Plan, is for the towns and cities in the Coast to Capital area to be known around the world as fantastic places to live, to grow and succeed and for the area to become the most dynamic non-city region in England, centred around a highly successful Gatwick Airport.
Their economic priorities were broken down into the following eight:
Priority 1: Deliver prosperous urban centres
Priority 2: Develop business infrastructure and support
Priority 3: Invest in sustainable growth
Priority 4: Create skills for the future
Priority 5: Pioneer innovation in core strengths
Priority 6: Promote better transport and mobility
Priority 7: Improve digital network capability
Priority 8: Build a strong national and international identity
The publication of the strategy is the first step in their plan to negotiate a strong Local Industrial Strategy with Government and attract significant investment for the region.
In the last week (24th July 2018), the Government released their policy document on how they are working to strengthen Local Enterprise Partnerships.
The Strengthened Local Enterprise Partnerships policy, sets out the role and responsibilities of LEP’s – including Coast to Capital – in driving local growth, and how they and the Government can work together to strengthen leadership and capability, improve accountability and manage risk, and provide clarity on geography.
“It’s vital for economic growth, that partnership working takes place,” Caroline Wood, Director of the CWS Partnership says.
“We look forward to working with Coast to Capital to deliver against their priorities and build our region developing further, between now and 2030.
“The Strategic Economic Plan teamed with the Government’s policy document to strengthen Local Enterprise Partnerships release, are positive steps for further partnership working, that will hopefully see the whole region benefit.”