Decision details

Consideration was given to recommendation FRP 23/21 of the Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee of 25 July 2023.

In order to ensure that the Strategy was as accurate and comprehensive as possible it was important that external scrutiny was undertaken in advance of formal adoption. The views of key economic partners, including the West Kent Partnership, local business support providers, business representative bodies, such as the Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses, as well as individual and local businesses in the Borough would be sought as part of a four week consultation period starting in September 2023.

Careful consideration was given to the legal, financial and value for money implications and Cabinet supported the framework for consultation and adoption detailed in the report to the Scrutiny Select Committee.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the report be noted; and

(2)             the consultation draft of the Economic Development Strategy 2023/27, as set out in Appendix 1, be approved; and

(3)             a four week consultation with key economic partners (as identified above) commence as soon as possible.