You need to consider what the information you have gathered tells you in the light of these questions:

Write your answers here. Base them on the information you have gathered:

Conclusion

It's a Fact

Strength

Weakness

Opportunity

Threat

Need more info

Is unemployment a significant issue locally?

Not an issue of high priority

No and has not been for many years.*/**

Ward average is 1.6%.

Nat average is 3.4% and Wealden is 1.7%

Jarvis Brook ward is above the District average @ 2.3%;East Ward is 1.7% */**

Crowborough employment rates 16/74 age range – 67.4; South East – 65%; England-60.9%**

*

**

***

*****

Are there are any recent trends in long term unemployment?

Not an issue of high priority

**No. Wealden and national comparative figures are not to hand (needed?) but relatively speaking, it can be assumed trends will not demand specific high priority action

**

?

Is the town a dormitory town or has it a significant employment role?

• Level of out commuting is a significant issue – disposable spend going elsewhere! -Impacts on lunch time trade- majority have long two way journeys so impacts on evening trade/lack of community identity and participation.
• Opportunity for web site purchasing! Need to offer more at week-ends to retain leisure spend.
• Introduction of car parking was seen as real threat by many employers/employees in view of proximity to Tun Well – will reduce in commuting

It has had and continues to have higher than average outcommuting* (good place to live**)

10097 residents are in employment (2001 census): 4293 (43%) live/work in town; 5806 (57%) commute out***; but 2650 commute in to Crowborough*”*/

In the 1991 census, of the working population of about 9K, nearly 4.5K traveled elsewhere to work and about 1.5k traveled in to Crowborough.

*

**

***

****

*****

Is local employment particularly dependent on specific industry sectors and /or on a small number of large employers?

Significant issues:

• not enough specific info re ‘top 3 industries’ (?).
• Need to define home based workers as they could be significant opportunity for local economy/purchasing – need for social contact with like minded self employed?
• Some of the larger businesses that employ 70+ employees are actively looking to move to larger/single site premises that are not available in town so they may relocate elsewhere (Uckfield); lack of larger sites in town is a major threat.
• WDC are now commissioning a review into setting up a single HQ but retaining a local presence in the town(s)*****

Not sure about growth (?)

Top 3 industries employing most people are: wholesale and retail trade / repair of motor vehicles- 1742 (17.4%); Real estate/renting and business activities- 1423 (14.2%); Health and social work- 1147 (11.5%)* (need more specific breakdown/definition?)

Of the 10060 in employment, 1911 (19%) are self employed and it must be assumed that an increasing number work from/at home since the 1991 census**/***/**** (?)

A more specific analysis by marker sectors and employee ratios but not necessarily 100% complete list of TN6 postcode businesses shows that 1 company ( of 820) employs 100-200 employees and a further 3 employ between 200-500 employees*

*

**

***

****

*****

??

Is employment growth within only some industry sectors, or spread more widely?

Significant issues:

• trend towards IT related industries****;
• increases in home based businesses****;
• How to identify those ‘missing’ companies in the database (?);
• how to exploit the current monthly updated database****e;
• how to pursue the business groups objectives (list available)****;
• how to exploit what sites there are***/****;

Changes in numbers of employees between 1999 and 2002 show: ***a 17% (500 down to 400) reduction in Manufacturing; 8% (1200 down to 1100) reduction in Banking, Finance and Insurance etc; and a 25% (400 down to 300) reduction in Other Services (whatever they are(?)

However, **Construction has increased by 33% (300 to 400); Distribution, hotels(none) & restaurants increased by 13% (1500 to 1700) and Public Administration, Education and Health by 8% (1300 to 1400)

*

**

***

****

?

How much confidence is there within the business sector?

Significant issues:

• Variable business confidence levels exist

• Must recognise and exploit opportunities.
• Develop retail trade/training identify low confidence sectors).
• Prepare for threats, develop strategies and implement action plans that compliment and/or supplement existing or potential businesses to produce more local niche markets that attract increased trading

In summary, there has been evidence within the local economy during the last 12 months that the local retail and service industry is maintaining its presence and position**, that new businesses are attracted to Crowborough** and that there is potential for further growth and more local purchasing / networking****. However, businesses need to continue to support each other more and promote themselves much more to themselves and to the 20k population in Crowborough and to the surrounding catchment area**/****. They also need to recognise there are organisations and agencies that are willing to and capable to support them with their priorities**** (?).

In essence, the local economy has more strengths, opportunities and a potential that needs to be realized**** than there are weaknesses and insurmountable threats*****; more joint working, increased synergy, a clearer direction with stronger leadership driven by local businesses could make a significant difference to the local economy

*

**

***

****

*****

?

Is the number of jobs available locally increasing or decreasing?

Significant issue:

• need to ensure appropriate balance of business is achieved and job creation is within growth industries that supplement/complement existing businesses not duplicate them****/*****

Overall, since 1999 there has been a 4% increase in employees (therefore employment) – from 5600 to 5800 (need 1991 census comparative figures?)

See ‘employment growth section of SWOT

See comment re introduction of car parking charges

*

****

*****

?

What opportunities are there for job creation from the expansion of existing local firms?

Significant issues:

• need to obtain up to date info re companies’ expansion plans/constraints.
• Need also to define companies’ training issues/needs/strategies

The BOS survey 2002 identified* a small number of firms that had plans to expand their businesses during the next 12 months and there was a mix of those that could accommodate expansion within their own premises** and some that would need to relocate**/*****

The most recent comments (2004) about amalgamating 3 split sites in Crowborough and the only option to achieve a one site operation would be for those companies to relocate elsewhere (Uckfield)(?)

Another large local company has received planning approval to extend it existing premises****

There is a degree of confidence that was not apparent 2/3 years ago, there is scope for growth in jobs but equally importantly there is potential for increased training amongst existing businesses****.

However, there are recruitment and retention issues for many businesses e.g. retail, residential / nursing homes caused by the extent of out commuting and more competitive salaries in, say Tun Wells*****

The threat of car parking charges being introduced will adversely effect recruitment and retention of staff as well as retail and some service sectors*****

*

**

****

*****

?

How vigorous is the local economy - based on new business start-ups / closures?

Need for info on new start ups / closures is a significant issue

(?) Not available for Crowborough

TN6 database showed an increase of 40 businesses (change of address/new) but no data re closures??

?

What issues does this highlight?

• Level of out commuting is a significant issue – disposable spend going elsewhere! -Impacts on lunch time trade- majority have long two way journeys so impacts on evening trade/lack of community identity and participation.
• Opportunity for web site purchasing! Need to offer more at week-ends to retain leisure spend.
• Introduction of car parking was seen as real threat by many employers/employees in view of proximity to Tun Well – will reduce in commuting
• not enough specific info re ‘top 3 industries’.
• Need to define home based workers as they could be significant opportunity for local economy/purchasing – need for social contact with like minded self employed?
• Some of the larger businesses that employ 70+ employees are actively looking to move to larger/single site premises that are not available in town so they may relocate elsewhere (Uckfield); lack of larger sites in town is a major threat.
• WDC are now commissioning a review into setting up a single HQ but retaining a local presence in the town(s)
• trend towards IT related industries;
• increases in home based businesses;
• how to identify those ‘missing’ companies in the database
• how to exploit the current monthly updated database
• how to pursue the business groups objectives (list available)
• how to exploit what sites there are

• Variable business confidence levels exist

• Must recognise and exploit trading opportunities.
• Develop retail trade/training (identify low confidence sectors).

• Prepare for threats, develop strategies and implement action plans that compliment and/or supplement existing or potential businesses to produce more local niche markets that attract increased trading
• need to ensure appropriate balance of business is achieved and job creation is within ‘growth’ industries that supplement/complement existing businesses not duplicate them

• need to obtain up to date info re companies’ expansion plans/constraints.

• Need also to define companies’ training issues/needs/strategies
• Need for info on new start ups / closures

Working in area

Resident in area

Wealden

£437

£582

East Sussex

£445

£499

South East

£536

£571

England & Wales

£512

£515