Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: March 11, 2025

Purpose: 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.

Content: Following consideration of the report the Cabinet agreed to adopt the West Sussex Economic Strategy 2025-2035. The call-in deadline is 20 March 2025.