A growing, modern economy that is international, creative, connected, talented and resilient – that’s the new vision for Greater Brighton after members agreed to step-up its aspiration with a new five year strategy.
Since being formed in 2014, the board of local authorities, business representatives and education providers has helped to secure more than £160 million of investment into the City Region.
But, with a number of changes at a local and national level, Greater Brighton agreed to review its ambition with the results being agreed at a high-level meeting yesterday (January 29, 2019).
A report presented to the board said:
“There is a growing sense from Board members that for Greater Brighton to reach its full potential there is a need for the Board to take a step forward, both in terms of aspiration and the level of associated activity.”
To provide focus a new vision statement was adopted with focus switched to five key areas with a number of key priorities:
- International
- An international brand, identity and recognition
- A clear and compelling inward investment proposition
- Maximising the potential of our international gateways to exploit opportunities
- Utilising the connections of our universities to gain access to international skills and expertise
- Creative
- Acknowledged innovation in specific sectors
- Maximising the opportunities through knowledge sharing and commercialisation
- Investing in hard and soft infrastructure of our creative and cultural economies
- Capitalising on the benefits of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit
- Connected
- An efficient travel network with effective regional, national and international connections
- Ubiquitous fibre-to-the-premises digital infrastructure
- The most 5G-enabled City Region in the UK
- Talented
- Attracting the world’s most talented individuals to live, learn, work and invest in the City Region
- A modern and integrated approach to skills provision that reflects requirements for the region in order to retain skills
- Effective upskilling and reskilling in workforce development
- Resilient
- Economic resilience – enabling an economy that is dynamic and learns to adapt to economic shocks and changes in Government policy
- Environmental resilience – of all infrastructure and in food production, and exploring the benefits of the circular economy
- Social resilience – of Greater Brighton communities and the wellbeing of residents
To read the document in full, visit here.