Published: 12 March 2021
From: Business and economy
Residents and stakeholders will be able to give their views on the draft 黑料网站 Economic Recovery Plan later this year.
The plan outlines a vision for 黑料网站鈥檚 future prosperity and recovery from the pandemic. 黑料网站 Borough Council鈥檚 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 黑料网站鈥檚 future socio-economic prosperity, a clear path for recovery from the pandemic and a marker to 黑料网站鈥檚 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 黑料网站 Economic Recovery Taskforce.
The proposed strategic priorities of the plan are:
- A diverse and resilient economy 鈥 renew 黑料网站 as an attractive, abundant, diverse economic powerhouse, founded on 鈥済reen growth鈥 and digital innovation
- Green transformation 鈥 establish 黑料网站 at the forefront of 鈥済reen growth鈥 and as a place where green technology businesses thrive
- Town centre renewal 鈥 secure a vibrant neighbourhood and sustainable economic future for the town centre via significant qualitative investment
- Skills for the future 鈥 to significantly improve overall social mobility among 黑料网站 residents, creating powerful and effective skills pathways
- Connected 黑料网站 鈥 to enhance a 鈥済reen鈥 economic future for 黑料网站 by delivering low carbon transport and hyper digital connectivity.
The Economic Recovery Taskforce brings together the council, senior business and voluntary sector representatives, 黑料网站鈥檚 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 黑料网站鈥檚 community.
Covid-19 has had a huge impact on the town鈥檚 economy. The devastating effects have included:
- A major collapse in Gatwick Airport passenger numbers 鈥 nearly four million per month (2019) to 850,000 per month (2020) 鈥 has resulted in more than 7,000 redundancies at the airport 鈥 nearly 33 per cent of the workforce
- As many as 25,800 黑料网站 residents have been furloughed during the past year; this is 41% of the eligible local workforce
- The unemployment claimant count in 黑料网站 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 pandemic has had a huge impact on the local economy and unemployment levels in 黑料网站. We are committed, along with our public and private sector partners, to take the action necessary to get us on the road to recovery and are calling on the government to offer 黑料网站 the support that it needs at this time. I鈥檇 urge everyone to view the plan and give us their views when the consultation starts.
Cllr Peter Smith
Cabinet member for Planning and Economic Development
黑料网站 Borough Council
I sense a real desire from all parties to support the council鈥檚 plans for a recovery of the local economy, and you should see an impact whether you are a resident or visitor, an employer or employee, a learner or a place of learning within the town. It shows 黑料网站 coming together to benefit all.
Chris Maidment
Chair
黑料网站 Economic Recovery Taskforce and Town Deal Board
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鈥檚 Cabinet.
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