Decision

Support to businesses in the area of Sustainability will be provided from May 2024 to December 2025 by Clean Growth UK, as part of the wider Business Support Programme - a funded programme of help and advice for our local business community to help unlock growth and productivity across the area in a sustainable, low carbon way. Furthermore as public sector contracts place more focus on sustainable supply chains, businesses are having to adapt to be competitive in the process.

Clean Growth UK was able to provide a programme of workshops and mentoring, in response to a defined specification as part of an open tender process which took place in January 2024, with the offer meeting AWC Officers’ approval.

Reasons for the decision

In 2023, a number of high profile business support initiatives came to the end of their funded provision.  This support was available to all businesses across West Sussex, including Adur and Worthing.  This has left a gap, where businesses may struggle to access free help, advice and support on how to grow their business in a sustainable, low carbon way.  The provision of an Adur & Worthing Business Support Programme delivering support around sustainability, low carbon or net zero will provide a place for businesses to explore how to reduce their carbon footprint and/or grow their business but in a sustainable way.

Alternative options considered

Other business support initiatives were considered e.g. offering cash grants, however through consultation with the business community and local business networks, it was deemed important to provide a combined approach of support to help business owners work on longer term growth and business strategy which includes growth in a sustainable, low carbon way.