Since its inception in 2003, the initiative has set out to determine the challenges that will really make a difference to the area, where working together can bring more effective improvements. The Diamond is an attractive place to live and work but issues identified include improving transport links and congestion, stimulating new investment in towns and identifying new employment sites to attract new businesses.
The six district councils are now working together with Surrey and West Sussex County Councils to agree planning principles around their Local Development Frameworks and they have already seen major advances across a number of areas. For example jointly backing ideas such as EASIT (East Area of Surrey for Transport) has seen results by bringing together the public sector and businesses to reduce congestion and promote car sharing and shuttle buses. This success of this scheme means it is now being considered for other areas within the Diamond.
Diamond partners have recently joined forces to lobby against the announcement by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) to cut Nework Rail's funding contribution to improvements to Gatwick Station from £30m to £9m. Plans for Redhill are also affected; partners agree that it is vital for these stations to be upgraded to provide an effective transport network and a number of businesses have already agreed to be co-signatories to a letter being sent to the ORR urging that the decision be reconsidered.
East Surrey College and Central Sussex College are now working closely to consider what courses are offered both to young people and for those already in employment. A pilot study iwas recently undertaken to analyse course provision relevant to tourism and financial services against the needs of businesses in these sectors. This directly supports long term ambitions to enhance the skills of people working in the Diamond so they are relevant to help businesses grow and raise aspirations.
Led by local businessman David Butcher of FD Outsourcing Ltd with Surrey and West Sussex Economic Partnerships, apart from coordinating the actions to promote economic growth there has also been much lobbying of government and other partners for further funding and support. A programme of consultations, meetings and events has enabled great progress and a Future Plan is currently being prepared to drive the initiative forward. It will consider the current standing of the Gatwick Diamond and its airport against the expectations of an international business location. What skills, infrastructure and facilities are central to this and what steps need to be taken to make it a location of choice for business. The plan will be launched in June 2008.
