Issue - meetings

(Item ERG 15/13 referred from Economic Regeneration Advisory Board minutes of 23 June 2015)

Consideration of recommendations to the Cabinet from the Economic Regeneration Advisory Board of 23 June 2015.

The Cabinet resolved that:

The recommendations of the Economic Regeneration Advisory Board be approved as follows:

The Borough Economic Regeneration Strategy, as set out at Annex 1 to the report, be approved subject to a minor amendment to the ‘success measure’ for securing high speed broadband services across the Borough to reflect the Government’s ambition of 95% by 2017.

Item ERG 15/13 referred from Economic Regeneration Advisory Board minutes of 23 June 2015

Decision Notice D150055CAB

The report of the Chief Executive set out proposed amendments to the draft Borough Economic Regeneration Strategy to reflect comments received as part of the consultation process.

A number of responses had highlighted the need to better promote the area for inward investment, deal with traffic congestion pinch points, including the A20, and the need to improve local mobile phone coverage.  It was reported that these issues were included as new actions in the Strategy.   In addition, a number of key economic indicators had been identified to help judge future progress and these had been included in the Strategy.

The revised Strategy was attached as Annex 1 to the report.

Members noted references to investment to prevent local flooding, the role of Locate in Kent in identifying employment opportunities and land; ongoing consultation regarding improvements to broadband and the potential opportunity for private investment to improve this in rural areas.    It was noted that currently the target ambition of central Government was 95% broadband coverage by 2017.

Particular reference was made to business rate retention and the impact that Aylesford Newsprint going into administration had created for the Borough Council.   It was also reported that correspondence had been sent to the Minister for Local Government regarding the loss of this significant business, which demonstrated a disproportionate impact on a local authority.  In addition, this example would be incorporated into the Borough Council’s response on a business rates review consultation.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Borough Economic Regeneration Strategy, as set out at Annex 1 to the report, be approved; subject to a minor amendment to the ‘success measure’ for securing high speed broadband services across the Borough to reflect the Government’s ambition of 95% by 2017.

*Referred to Cabinet