Greater Brighton should be a '˜powerhouse' for the south

The Greater Brighton region should be a '˜powerhouse' in the south, boosting the economy in Brighton and Hove and its surrounding areas.
Could the Greater Brighton region become a Southern powerhouse?Could the Greater Brighton region become a Southern powerhouse?
Could the Greater Brighton region become a Southern powerhouse?

That’s the idea behind the ‘Southern Accelerator’, which aims to make sure the region doesn’t miss out on investment in infrastructure, jobs, housing, new technology and growth.

The idea was proposed by Brighton and Hove City Council leader Warren Morgan, and is backed by Worthing Borough Council leader Daniel Humphreys.

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Cllr Morgan said there is a Government focus on the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ and ‘Midlands Engine’, and he doesn’t want Greater Brighton to miss out.

Cllr Warren Morgan, the leader of Brighton and Hove City Council SUS-161130-165515001Cllr Warren Morgan, the leader of Brighton and Hove City Council SUS-161130-165515001
Cllr Warren Morgan, the leader of Brighton and Hove City Council SUS-161130-165515001

The idea will go before the Greater Brighton Economic Board, which was set up in 2014 as a partnership between local authorities in Brighton and Hove, Worthing, Adur, Mid Sussex and Lewes.

The Board is also set to consider inviting Crawley and Gatwick to join the Greater Brighton region to strengthen its case for investment.

Cllr Humphreys, chairman of Greater Brighton Economic Board and Conservative leader of Worthing Borough Council, said: “The Greater Brighton Economic Board has achieved a huge amount since its formation, bringing together the key parts of the wider area to create a City Deal with the Government, lever in millions of pounds of funding and boost the region’s economy.

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“It’s now time to increase our ambition and work with Government to ensure that businesses and residents in Sussex are able to keep playing their vital role in the national economy.”

Cllr Dan Humphreys, leader of Worthing Borough CouncilCllr Dan Humphreys, leader of Worthing Borough Council
Cllr Dan Humphreys, leader of Worthing Borough Council

The idea is to use the Southern Accelerator to attract investment in jobs, skills, transport, housing and infrastructure in the area, boosting the region’s economy.

Cllr Morgan said benefits of a successful Southern Accelerator could mean improved rail services, and roads, more housing and booming businesses.

He said: “We need to go further and faster, boosting our economic power, accelerating growth through building on current success, speeding our development of biotech, digital, engineering and other areas where we aim to compete globally, driving investment in transport and housing infrastructure, supporting further and higher education, and providing a brand within which we can bring trade and investment to the region.”

The initiative will go before the Greater Brighton Economic Board at its meeting in Worthing Town Hall on April 25.

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