URL: https://democracy.crawley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=849

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The Crawley Growth Programme is a long-standing partnership between Crawley Borough Council (CBC) and West Sussex County Council (WSCC), designed to accelerate economic growth and attract inward investment by aligning resources to deliver key regeneration schemes. Since the signing of the original Growth Deal in December 2016, both authorities have demonstrated a strong commitment to collaborative delivery, using public assets and funding to create better places for people and businesses. This report outlines the substantial progress achieved to date and seeks Cabinet endorsement for a refreshed Growth Deal, reaffirming our joint ambition and setting the framework for the next phase of delivery with WSCC.

Content:   RESOLVED   That the Cabinet:   a)           approves the Crawley Growth Deal II as set out in appendix A of report PES/502.   b)           delegates authority to the Head of Economy and Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, and subject to approval from the Crawley Growth Board, to make minor amendments to the Crawley Growth Deal II document (appendix A of report PES/502) including to take account of progress with project delivery and any new national and local policy updates, as they come forward. (Generic delegation 7 will be used to enact this recommendation).     Reasons for the Recommendations   Officers from Crawley BC and West Sussex County Council (WSCC) have agreed through Crawley Growth Board to progress proposals for a renewed “Crawley Growth Deal” between the two authorities as a set of common principles and a strategic framework for growth comprising key themes and strategic priorities, underpinned by the continuation of an existing shared governance arrangement and a proposed new portfolio of regeneration schemes.   This “Growth Deal II” is expected to act as a precursor to joint working between officers from both authorities to prepare these new regeneration schemes as part of a new “Crawley Growth Programme II” projects portfolio.  Summary descriptions are set out in Appendix B.   This Crawley Growth Deal II document is also progressing through West Sussex County Council’s governance and decision-making processes and as such is also subject to formal approval by the County Council.     Looking forward, this Growth Deal II and the emerging Crawley Growth Programme II portfolio of regeneration schemes will form a pivotal part of our joint presentation to the incoming new Sussex Mayoral Authority of Crawley’s hugely compelling case for major government funding investment to unlock significant economic and housing growth returns. This will also be a key mechanism to further the Council’s corporate priorities related to a thriving economy.  

Date of Decision: February 4, 2026