From April 2024 the functions of Local Enterprise Partnerships, including responsibility for strategic economic planning, transferred to Mayoral Combined Authorities and upper tier local authorities, including West Sussex County Council. The County Council is now accountable to government for the development of a new West Sussex Economic Strategy.
The West Sussex Economic Strategy will be a strategic, over-arching document for West Sussex for the period 2025 – 2035. The ten-year time frame is required by the Government. The strategy will set out the national, county, and local context, including economic insight and evidence. It will highlight the economic assets and strengths of West Sussex that provide significant opportunities. It will identify an overall vision to 2035 and five key ambitions with strategic priorities to drive them forward. It also sets out how the strategy will be overseen and led, and how it will be monitored and evaluated.
The strategy will be consistent with Our Council Plan and supports the priorities of a sustainable and prosperous economy, helping people and communities to fulfil their potential, and making the best use of resources, underpinned by protecting the environment. The West Sussex Economic Strategy will provide the framework for the County Council’s economic development interventions. The new strategy will also align with other strategies such as the West Sussex Transport Plan, where appropriate.
The Leader will be asked to adopt the West Sussex Economic Strategy.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects more than 1 division;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Divisions affected: (All Divisions);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 10/01/2025
Decision due: 11 March 2025 by Cabinet
Lead member: Leader (Cllr Paul Marshall), Cabinet Member for Adults Services (Cllr Amanda Jupp), Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Learning and Skills (Cllr Jacquie Russell), Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue (Cllr Duncan Crow), Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change (Cllr Deborah Urquhart), Cabinet Member for Finance and Property (Cllr Jeremy Hunt), Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport (Cllr Joy Dennis), Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing (Cllr Bob Lanzer), Cabinet Member for Support Services and Economic Development (Cllr Steve Waight)
Contact: Carolyn Carr, Economic Growth Manager Email: carolyn.carr@westsussex.gov.uk Tel: 033 022 23836.
Consultation process
Representations concerning this proposed decision can be made to the decision maker, via the officer contact, by the beginning of the month in which the decision is due to be taken.
Consultees
Engagement on the strategy is taking place in January 2025. The draft West Sussex Economic Strategy was published on the Your Voice portal and a targeted list of key partners, stakeholders, business, and business representatives were invited to review the draft and respond to a short survey. Feedback will be analysed and incorporated into the strategy where appropriate.
Members of The Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee will receive an informal briefing of the strategy in January, and the Committee will formally consider the strategy at their March 2025 meeting.
Democratic Services Contact: Adam Chisnall Tel: 033 022 28314