Two West Sussex councils have signed an agreement to work together on delivering key strategic projects.
West Sussex County Council and Crawley Borough Council have signed a new district deal to increase joint collaborative working between the two councils.
The Crawley Growth Deal identifies a number of key projects which feature in the Crawley Place Plan, which was endorsed by both authorities earlier in the year.
Both councils will now focus on these key projects to create the conditions for economic growth residents experience and to unlock investment opportunities.
These include:
• regenerating Crawley town centre
• a Manor Royal Improvement Programme
• closer working with Gatwick Airport including establishing a Gatwick Skills Laboratory to overcome potential skills shortages
• work to improve resident skills and employability in the Crawley area.
Leader of West Sussex County Council, Louise Goldsmith, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to work closely with our local authority colleagues in the county. This is the first of our district deals, more will follow next year.
“The Crawley Growth Deal is the first in West Sussex and I am delighted that this council is once again jointly pioneering new approaches to delivering projects and services for the people of West Sussex in the best and most efficient way possible.
“The key projects we can deliver together will help to create the conditions for economic growth and to unlock investment opportunities, which will benefit not only the borough of Crawley but West Sussex as a whole.”
Councillor Peter Lamb, Leader of Crawley Borough Council, said: “Crawley Borough Council is working to build a better future for Crawley. Regenerating the town centre and improving the quality of jobs for local people means attracting new investment into our town and the Growth Deal with West Sussex is an important step in making it happen.”