Issue - meetings

(Report of Chief Executive)

The report presented a draft Economic Regeneration Strategy for consideration and set out arrangements for consultation and adoption.

Members recognised the importance of effective infrastructure to local businesses and suggested that consideration be given to aligning future infrastructure funding priorities to Kent County Council’s ‘scoring matrix’ when developing projects, to improve the chances of securing funding contributions.

Following consideration by the Economic Regeneration Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration resolved that:

The draft Economic Regeneration Strategy, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, be approved for the purposes of local consultation.

Decision Notice D150023MEM

The report of the Chief Executive presented a draft Economic Regeneration Strategy for consideration and set out arrangements for consultation and adoption.

Members recognised the importance of effective infrastructure to local businesses and suggested that consideration be given to aligning future infrastructure funding priorities to Kent County Council’s ‘scoring matrix’ when developing projects, to improve the chances of securing funding contributions.

As it was important to expose the draft strategy to external scrutiny prior to formal adoption it was suggested that a consultation be undertaken in March/April.  Views of key economic partners, including members of the West Kent Partnership, local business support providers, business representative bodies such as the local Chambers and Federation of Small Businesses and individual local businesses in the Borough would be sought.

Members welcomed the engagement of an Economic Regeneration Officer to support the work of the Strategy and establish effective and interactive communication with local businesses.

RECOMMENDED:  That the draft Economic Regeneration Strategy, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, be approved for the purposes of local consultation.