The first Coast to Capital Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) was published in March 2014. Since then, there have been significant changes to our operating environment, including the decision to leave the EU and an Industrial Strategy Green Paper, and changes to the economic development of the region. We need a new SEP that is relevant to this new environment.
Our new SEP will clearly set out our strategy for economic growth for the region, what the challenges and opportunities are, and what conditions, investments and interventions we need to achieve that growth. Our SEP will also be the main tool we use to inform our conversations with the Government.
It will reflect and take account of the diversity and different places that make up our region, painting a picture of the cities, towns and villages, and the drivers that influence our economy, such as BREXIT, the airport expansion decision, and proposed improvements to Brighton Main Line.
Strategic Economic Plan 2018: ESF Brief
Our Strategic Economic Plan
We are currently in the process of finalising our new Strategic Economic Plan (SEP), which will set out the vision for economic growth for the Coast to Capital area to 2030. We are preparing the SEP through close consultation with businesses, local authorities and education. It will set out the groundwork for discussions with Government, local partners and our neighbouring Local Enterprise Partnerships to agree our future Local Industrial Strategy.
The final SEP is not yet published and will be officially launched at the Coast to Capital AGM in July. Below is information about the draft SEP to assist with the ESF brief.
Priorities for Growth
The draft SEP identifies eight priorities for growth, where coordinated activity and investment will address our economic challenges to fulfil our economic potential.
Our priorities are:
- Deliver prosperous urban centres
- Develop business infrastructure and support
- Invest in sustainable growth
- Create skills for the future
- Pioneer innovation in core strengths
- Promote better transport and mobility
- Improve digital network capability
- Build a strong national and international identity#
Sectors
The Coast to Capital economy is large and diverse and, as our analysis shows, is not defined by any one place, sector, or industry. The draft SEP, therefore, does not identify particular priority sectors to focus on. Rather it creates an understanding of emerging sub-sectors of our economy which will help us to agree specific areas for targeted activity and investment as we negotiate our Local Industrial Strategy.
For the ESF Direct Calls in Investment Priorities 1.1, 1.4 and 2.1 which are currently open, bids should align with our eight priorities. For more information regarding these ESF calls please see the Coast to Capital's ESF webpage
We will update this document once the SEP has been officially launched in July.
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