From ‘Coast to Capital’ working for businesses in the south east

Employers and local authorities, led by West Sussex County Council, have applied to the government to form a new Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The partnership, working for the joint interests of business, would cover the whole of West Sussex, Brighton and Hove, the Gatwick Diamond and Croydon.

LEPs can also tackle issues such as planning and housing, local transport and infrastructure priorities, employment and enterprise and moving to a low carbon economy.

It would bring together local authorities and businesses to help them bring in business from overseas and focus on entrepreneurs.

Leader of West Sussex County Council Louise Goldsmith said: “By working with neighbouring authorities and business groups we are producing a submission that literally covers the ‘Coast to Capital’.

“We aim to transform economic performance so that we can compete in any international marketplace.

“We have the backing of John Peel, Chairman of the Economic, Skills and Enterprise Board for West Sussex, and many businesses have shown enthusiasm for our plans.

“‘Coast to Capital’ sets out our vision for a lasting relationship between public sector and employers to achieve sustainable economic prosperity for our area.

“By generating investment and business growth we can help to secure better skills for better jobs and boost our local economies.

“I am aware that Arun District Council has chosen to proceed with a bid for a LEP covering a much smaller economic area. Their proposal perhaps does not fully recognise the real opportunities for businesses on the West Sussex coast that links to Brighton and Hove and up to London would bring.

“As a previous Chairman of Coastal West Sussex, I am only too aware of the need to connect the coastal economy, particularly with the dynamic economies further north. For a thriving West Sussex coastal economy, this is absolutely vital.”

Decisions on LEPs are expected by the government in early autumn.