Agenda item

This report presents the new Arun Economic Development Strategy 2020-2025, Creating our Future, and the Economic Profile for Arun 2019 (the evidence base).

The Strategy priorities are based on the conclusions and findings of the evidence base. The document identities a range of opportunities for each priority that will support and progress economic development in Arun.

The Cabinet

RESOLVED – That

1.  the vision, themes, priorities and opportunities identified in the Arun Economic Development Strategy 2020-2025 be supported; and

2.   the preparation of an action plan to progress the delivery of the strategy, priorities and opportunities be supported.

The Chairman presented this report and stated that the last Economic Development Strategy had been produced in 2009 and so it was now timely to review the Council’s approach to economic growth and prosperity.

The Group Head of Economy outlined that a detailed economic profile had been collated which provided the economic evidence based for the area and this had been used to identify the strategy priorities.

The Strategy had been grouped under three key themes being:

·         Future places – shaping places for people to live, work and visit

·         A business success story – attracting investment and success, giving businesses the space and support to grow and prosper

·         Prosperous and happy communities – putting people centre stage and supporting people to live healthy, happy and prosperous lives.

Looking at the economy of Arun and the key issues, it was outlined that the District did have some strengths and needed to focus on these as well as tackling all the challenges outlined in the report.   The major challenges of having an ageing population were outlined and the need to focus on ensuring that the younger population coming forward were well skilled and qualified to meet all the challenges highlighted in the report.   

            Prior to inviting questions, the Chairman thanked the Group Head of Economy for providing such a detailed report containing very interesting and useful statistics and evidence for the District, this had been developed through partnership working with the business community and it sat well with the Council’s membership with other economic partnerships such as the Coast to Capital Local Economic Partnership and Greater Brighton Economic Board.

            The key themes of the report discussed were the challenges that the Council faced in tackling pockets of deprivation within the District as these had a major impact on the lives and wellbeing of individuals living in these areas.  The work of the Arun Wellbeing team was praised in attempting to tackle day to day life challenges.  The level of skills in the District remained disappointing and the level of low wages which was thought to be a result of seasonal working and it was recognised that progress needed to be made to increase wage levels.  The survival rate for businesses was applauded and was something to celebrate.

The opportunities that the report highlighted were applauded, many of which had formed items already discussed earlier in the meeting such as Business Rate Pooling and Gigabit expansion.  It was noted that there were also major opportunities for the Council in working with the University of Chichester to ensure that educated young people remained to live and work in the District.

The Chairman in response stated that it was vital for the Council to ensure that skills and wage levels were improved within the District as agreed by the Council in confirming its priorities on 13 November 2019.  This was required to improve the prosperity of the District and the need to look at transport opportunities such as the A29 realignment, the A27, and the need to ensure that the Arundel Chord did go ahead which would be vital to the continuing development of Littlehampton.

The Cabinet

                        RESOLVED – That

(1)  It supports the vision, themes, priorities and opportunities identified in the Arun Economic Development Strategy 2020-2025; and

(2)  Supports the preparation of an Action Plan to progress the delivery of the Strategy priorities and opportunities.

The Cabinet confirmed its decision as per Decision Notice C/025/091219, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of the Minutes.