A new booklet explaining to residents the workings of Greater Brighton has been produced as the region seeks to increase awareness of the vital work on investment and jobs it undertakes.
Provocatively titled Yeah… But What Is Greater Brighton? it recognises that, although the region is home to almost one million people, the role it plays is not widely understood.
With the sub-heading, A Beginner’s Guide To The City Region (And Why You Should Care), the booklet aims to let people know that crucial work is being undertaken by Greater Brighton on their behalf.
It highlights that since its inception in 2014 Greater Brighton has secured more than £160 million on investment in major projects, helped create 24,000 jobs, built 18,000 homes and unlocked £2 billion in private sector investment.
Greater Brighton stretches from Gatwick Airport and Crawley in the north, to Seaford in the east and Worthing in the west. Seven local authorities – Adur, Brighton & Hove, Crawley, Lewes, Mid-Sussex and Worthing – sit on the Board that governs the region. Arun, which covers Bognor, Littlehampton and Arundel, will also officially join shortly.
They are joined by the University of Sussex, University of Brighton and Greater Brighton Metropolitan College from the higher education sector.
From business, the Adur and Worthing Business Partnership; Brighton& Hove Economic Partnership; and the Coastal West Sussex Partnership are represented as is Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership; South Downs National Park; and Gatwick Airport.
Cllr Daniel Humphreys, Chairman of the Greater Brighton Economic Board, said: “I have always said that councils and businesses cannot work in isolation to attract investment and influence government. Greater Brighton is a perfectly coherent region to speak with a collective voice about the benefits of this great place in which we live.
“I think now is the time to speak clearly and indeed proudly of the work that we have all achieved together under the Greater Brighton banner and the work we need to continue to do to ensure continued prosperity in this region.
“We must remember that places like Greater Manchester and region-wide economic bodies like the Northern Powerhouse and the East Midlands Engine are very good at pushing their cases for investment. We must compete.
“This little booklet goes some way to heightening our profile and, as chairman, I am determined that we will keep our residents informed and aware of the work we are doing on their behalf.”
The booklet can be accessed as an online page turner at the following link.