Agenda and draft minutes

1.1        There were no apologies from Board members.

Members and officers must declare any pecuniary or personalinterest in any business on the agenda. They should also make declarations at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting. Consideration should be given to leaving the meeting if the nature of the interest warrants it. If in doubt please contact wsegb@westsussex.gov.ukbefore the meeting.

2.1     No declarations of interest were made.

Update and comment on announcement on English Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation.

3.1        Cllr Marshall provided the West Sussex Economic Growth Board (WSEGB) with an overview of Sussex Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), including timescales and information on the Government’s consultation.

3.2        The WSEGB welcomed the overview and looked forward to further information as the proposals progress.

3.3        West Sussex County Council officers will share the consultation link and detail to Board members.

Report by Carolyn Carr, Economic Development Strategic Lead,

West Sussex County Council.

The Board is asked to discuss and endorse a new West Sussex Economic Strategy.

4.1        The WSEGB considered the West Sussex Economic Strategy Summary Report, updated Draft Economic Strategy and Evidence Report.

4.2        The Board discussed the need to be ambitious in progressing key performance indicators in the monitoring of the strategy, the importance of being clear on the ‘enablers’ to delivery including the role of key partners, and ensuring that the strategy has ongoing alignment with national developments.

4.3        The feedback from the Board was overall positive, with consensus around the need to agree initial focus areas to drive forward the strategic priorities and ensure the strategy has ongoing alignment with national developments.

4.4        The WSEGB endorsed the Economic Strategy.

The Board is asked to discuss and endorse the West Sussex Economic Strategy Action Plan.

5.1        The WSEGB considered the draft Action Plan with initial action areas for 2025/26. It was stressed that the Action Plan will be a ‘live document’ and will be updated regularly with input from the Board.

5.2        The WSEGB discussed the need to agree initial focus areas to take forward in the Action Plan. This will be discussed and agreed at the June meeting.

5.3        An area the Board agreed to revisit was around public procurement regulations and support for local businesses. Cllr Marshall explained that currently there is national reform on procurement regulations and the Board agreed to consider the implications for the business community. It was suggested that further support/training could be offered to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on how to successfully bid for contracts.

5.4        The WSEGB recognised that many of the action areas have Government funding and moving forward it would be prudent to seek alternative sources of funding to take forward priorities.

5.5        Cllr Marshall highlighted the potential to seek agreement from the West Sussex Leaders’ Board for funding from the pooled business rates for actions prioritised by the WSEGB.

5.6        The WSEGB endorsed the Action Plan.

To discuss the position of Chair of the West Sussex Economic Growth Board.

6.1        Cllr Marshall provided an overview of the recruitment process for the independent chair and the outcome from the interview panel, which was to not make an appointment at this time.

6.2        Given the current uncertainty with Sussex Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposals, it was agreed that Cllr Marshall would continue to Chair the Board in the interim. Consideration would be given to filling the vice-chair position also on an interim basis.

6.3        The WSEGB agreed to review the position in September when it is expected there will be more clarity on devolution, and on future local government arrangements in Sussex.

Ana Christie will provide feedback.

Draft Transport Strategy consultation

7.1        Ana Christie, CEO of Sussex Chamber of Commerce, has been confirmed as the WSEGB representative on the new Transport for the South East (TfSE) Business Advisory Group. Ana Christie provided an overview of the Group and explained that it has been established to provide business voice, support, advice and contribute to the Transport for the South East (TfSE) Board.

7.2        TfSE have published a new draft Transport Strategy, which was out for consultation until 7 March 2025.

7.3        The WSEGB were encouraged to provide feedback and/or comments to Ana Christie to raise at future meetings of the Business Advisory Group.

·         AOB

·         Date of next meeting: 5 June, 2025 from 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm

8.1        No other business was declared.