Brighton & Hove City Council leader Jason Kitcat on how Brighton just got greater

An ambitious programme of future work and investment was recently agreed at the first gathering of the Greater Brighton Economic Board. This board brings together political and business leaders from across our city region to build on our strengths and improve our economy. After all, our lives don’t stop at local authority boundaries, so neither should councils’ and businesses’ planning.

We share many residents, visitors and business with our neighbours Lewes, Adur, Worthing and Mid-Sussex. Indeed our shared economy is not just of regional but national significance.

So through the Board, these local councils, our city’s two universities, City College and partnerships representing the companies investing in the area will oversee a six year programme of investment in jobs, housing, business and skills support. It will bring over £170m of investment and 8,500 jobs to the city region over the medium term. This includes opening up key sites due for development.

The biggest project in Brighton & Hove will be a £24 million investment to expand and upgrade New England House north of Brighton station – a key business development which will create nearly 900 new jobs. Other plans we’ll be working on are a regional programme of support for businesses, a new Research Laboratory at Preston Barracks; a ‘Digital Exchange’ to provide ultrafast broadband to small businesses at affordable prices; the expansion of the successful ‘Fusebox’ start-up space for creative digital companies; clean and environmental technology centres at Newhaven and Shoreham, and significant flood defence funding.

I believe this new city region is going to bring real benefits to us all. Working together for our common interest is crucial for building on our respective strengths across our region. I welcome the commitment from all our partners across the Greater Brighton city region and we look forward to making real economic progress over the coming years.