Growing a sustainable economy and creating rewarding jobs for local people is a key priority of our administration.
Since 2014, Conservative-run East Sussex has secured over £600 million in investment from the Local Economic Partnership to support the county's economy.
We have…
- invested £32 million in support of delivering superfast broadband to key centres, market towns, rural homes, schools, and businesses in areas not serviced by the private sector
- secured funding for 10,700 small businesses
- delivered town centre improvement schemes
Our Skills and Enterprise Initiatives have been highly successful in bringing together leading employers and education providers to identify local growth opportunities and to equip young people with the skills to capitalise on those opportunities. Skills East Sussex and the Enterprise Adviser Network have become a key driver of economic regeneration and productivity, crucial to the future of our local economy; while our suite of growth and business support initiatives assist smaller companies to expand.
Since being re-elected In May 2021, we have…
- Supported the survival, reset, recovery and growth of local businesses, working with partners to deliver the East Sussex Economy Recovery Plan, mobilising £170 million in investment
- Worked to support employment by either safeguarding or creating over 170 jobs
- Secured £7.95 million in Levelling-up funding to replace the single lane crossing at Exceat with a new two lane bridge in support of local transport connectivity and economic growth
- Allocated an additional £5.8 million to help improve our roads and pavements, and an additional £31 million over the next decade for road maintenance
- Continued with the rollout of full fibre infrastructure to put East Sussex “ahead of the game” with focus on hard-to-reach areas
- Raised superfast broadband coverage to 98% from 95% in 2018 and 3% in 2012, with a 80% take-up of services in 2022 vs. a 56% national benchmark
- Partnered with West Sussex, Brighton and Hove City Council, and a host of other bodies, to develop a collective approach to encourage tourism in the area
We are also…
- Exploring collaborations with Districts and Boroughs via the Shared Prosperity Fund, which will replace the Local Economic Partnership, in pursuit of further local regeneration
- Seeking to use £2.5 million in Multiply Scheme funds aimed at aged 19+ adults, to help them to better understand and use maths and acquire digital skills
Pre-pandemic, our local economy (GVA) grew by 23% over 7 years, with unemployment falling to record lows.
Our focus is now on post pandemic recovery in order to bank and build on those gains…
We have identified six missions to support the East Sussex economy and livelihoods. Each one aims to go beyond just recovery to reset the opportunities for businesses, employers and employees while improving the local infrastructure and environment:
