Published: 03 March 2021
From: Business and economy
A draft Economic Recovery Plan outlining a vision for șù«ÍȚappâs future prosperity and recovery from the pandemic has been presented to the townâs Economic Recovery Taskforce.
Covid-19 has had a huge impact on the townâs economy. 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 șù«ÍȚappâs community.
The devastating impact has included:
- A major collapse in Gatwick Airport passenger numbers â nearly four million per month (2019) to 850,000 per month (2020) â has resulted in more than 7,000 redundancies at the airport â nearly 33 per cent of the workforce
- As many as 25,800 șù«ÍȚapp residents have been furloughed during the past year; this is 41% of the eligible local workforce
- Unemployment in șù«ÍȚapp has more than trebled from 2.4 per cent to more than eight per cent
- Youth unemployment is almost 13 per cent, which is nearly 1,000 young people
The Economic Recovery Plan is designed to provide a clear vision for șù«ÍȚappâs future socio-economic prosperity, a clear path for recovery from the pandemic and a marker to șù«ÍȚappâs formidable reputation for economic productivity.
The proposed strategic priorities of the plan are:
- A diverse and resilient economy â renew șù«ÍȚapp as an attractive, abundant, diverse economic powerhouse, founded on âgreen growthâ and digital innovation
- Green transformation â establish șù«ÍȚapp at the forefront of âgreen growthâ and as a place where green technology businesses thrive
- Town centre renewal â secure a vibrant neighbourhood and sustainable economic future for the town centre via significant qualitative investment
- Skills for the future â to significantly improve overall social mobility among șù«ÍȚapp residents, creating powerful and effective skills pathways
- Connected șù«ÍȚapp â to enhance a âgreenâ economic future for șù«ÍȚapp by delivering low carbon transport and hyper digital connectivity
Also at the meeting, the Taskforce:
- Received a presentation from Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership on the Freeport bid. Freeport status for Gatwick Airport and Manor Royal would support the safeguarding and creation of jobs and help the recovery of the aviation sector. Plans will provide import and export incentives, unlock major infrastructure upgrades, and enhance the delivery of a potential new multi-million pound Innovation Centre
- Heard an update from Julie Kapsalis from Chichester College Group on their bid to secure investment in new skills training facilities at șù«ÍȚapp College which, if successful, would benefit residents and be focused on local employer needs
- Discussed the significant bid to the Towns Fund
The pandemic has had a huge impact on the local economy and unemployment levels in șù«ÍȚapp. 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 șù«ÍȚapp the support that it needs at this time.
Cllr Peter Smith
Cabinet member for Planning and Economic Development
șù«ÍȚapp Borough Council
I sense a real desire from all parties to support the councilâs plans for a recovery of the local economy, and you should see an impact whether you are a resident, an employer or employee, a learner or a place of learning within the town. It shows șù«ÍȚapp coming together to benefit all.
Chris Maidment
Chair of the șù«ÍȚapp Economic Recovery Taskforce and Town Deal Board
The Taskforce brings together the council, senior business and voluntary sector representatives, șù«ÍȚappâs MP, a government representative, the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership and West Sussex County Council.
The final plan will be adopted in the summer, subject to a period of public consultation and consideration by the councilâs Cabinet.
For more details on the Taskforce visit our șù«ÍȚapp Economic Recovery Task Force and Town Deal Board page.
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