Pilot jobs and training scheme for Newhaven

Developments in Newhaven will be expected to provide local jobs and training under a new pilot scheme.
NewhavenNewhaven
Newhaven

At a virtual meeting on Thursday (July 9), cabinet members of Lewes District Council agreed to introduce new planning guidance intended to boost training and job opportunities for Newhaven residents.  

Known as the Newhaven Local Employment and Training Technical Guidance Note (TGN), the pilot scheme will require developers on larger commercial and residential projects to sign up to local labour agreements.

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In a statement,  James MacCleary, cabinet member for regeneration and prosperity, said: “The level of development planned in Newhaven in the coming years will create a significant number of jobs and the TGN will play a key role in helping to secure local employment at both construction and operational stages of these schemes. 

“It builds on Newhaven’s Enterprise Zone status and the council’s continued focus on the town for regeneration.  

“We want to make sure that future development in the town benefits residents in the long term.”

Under the local labour agreements, developers would be expected to take on Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in East Sussex during the construction phase – with these businesses making up at least 25 per cent of the workforce.

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The agreements could also see developments expected to provide apprenticeships, qualification schemes and work experience placements for local people who are unemployed or in education.

While a similar scheme has been operating in Eastbourne since 2013, the pilot scheme will initially operate in Newhaven alone.

According to council papers, Newhaven was chosen for the pilot scheme as it is set to have the greatest amount of development within the district in the coming years. 

Emily O’Brien, cabinet member for planning, said: “There is so much untapped potential in Newhaven and I’m very excited that this change in our planning policy guidance will help unlock it. 

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“It will maximise employment opportunities, work placements, education, training and career initiatives as a consequence of new developments and our officers will be monitoring the whole process to ensure the maximum benefit for local people. 

“This is a defining moment in our plans to stop people becoming unemployed and I wholeheartedly support it.”

More cautious support was given by Conservative group leader Isabelle Linington, however.

Cllr Linington said: “I am generally supportive of the whole scheme and I know it has been going on in Eastbourne for quite a while, so there is some experience from what has been happening there. 

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“As I say I am generally supportive I would just be interested to see in practice how it goes.

“I have just a couple of little worries. We are trying to encourage lots of smaller local companies and I just wonder if some of the obligations under this may end up favouring some of the large companies, who can afford to do it and have the staff to monitor it. 

“I hope it doesn’t have the opposite effect to what we want.”

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