Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Gibson Drive, Kings Hill

Contact: Democratic Services  Email: committee.services@tmbc.gov.uk

Link: View Meeting

Items
No. Item

ERG 21/15

Declarations of interest pdf icon PDF 3 KB

Members in any doubt about such declarations are advised to contact Legal or Democratic Services in advance of the meeting

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

ERG 21/16

Minutes pdf icon PDF 97 KB

To confirm as a correct record the Notes of the meeting of the Economic Regeneration Advisory Board held on 18 May 2021

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That the notes of the meeting of the Economic Regeneration Advisory Board held on 18 May 2021 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

ERG 21/17

Presentation: The Economic Impact of Covid-19 pdf icon PDF 4 KB

An update on the continuing impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the local economy and information on support for local businesses will be provided.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a comprehensive update on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the national and local economy.

 

It was reported that although the rate of unemployment in Tonbridge and Malling had levelled at 3.4% this was higher than pre-pandemic levels.  Claimants for Universal Credit had also levelled at around 9.5% in the borough compared to 15% nationally.  The number of people on furlough had reduced steadily since Spring 2021 and was now at 5%.

 

The Borough Council would now focus on supporting local economy and business recovery and future prosperity by developing a new programme of initiatives and engagement.

Matters for Recommendation to the Cabinet

ERG 21/18

Shopfront Improvements Scheme - Analysis pdf icon PDF 121 KB

Since March 2019, the Borough Council has been delivering a Shopfront Improvement Scheme to help support local independent retailers. With the current scheme coming to an end on 30 September 2021, this report provides a brief update on the scheme and sets out proposals for an analysis of the scheme to identify lessons learnt and to gain an appreciation of its economic impact.

Minutes:

(Decision Notice D210083MEM)

 

The report provided an update on the current Shopfront Improvement Scheme which was due to end on 30 September 2021.  Proposals for an analysis of the Scheme to identify lessons learnt and to gain an appreciation of its economic impact were also set out.

 

It was proposed that the analysis focused on the three key areas of:

 

(a)            the process of applying for a shopfront improvement grant

(b)            support and advice during the delivery of the shopfront projects

(c)             the overall economic impact of the scheme

 

RECOMMENDED:  That:

 

(1)            the report be noted; and

 

(2)            the proposed approach to analysing the Shopfront Improvement Scheme, as detailed in 1.2 of the report and summarised above, be agreed.

ERG 21/19

Business Engagement pdf icon PDF 121 KB

Having engaged with and supported thousands of local businesses over the past 18 months through the distribution of Covid-19 business grants, this report puts forward a proposal to use this relationship with the business community to develop new networking events and engagement activity that gives further support in strengthening the resilience of the local economy.

Minutes:

(Decision Notice D210084MEM)

 

The report presented a proposal to develop new networking events and business engagement activity to further support and strengthen the resilience of the local economy.

 

Three key strands were presented for consideration:

 

(a)             a programme of networking events be created for 2021/22;

(b)             work be undertaken on refreshing the e-bulletin with a view to commencing the quarterly bulletin from October 2021; and

(c)             further research be undertaken to look into opportunities for delivering an awards event during 2022

 

RECOMMENDED: That:

 

(1)             the report be noted; and

 

(2)             the next steps, as detailed in 1.3 of the report and summarised above, be agreed

 

 

ERG 21/20

Additional Restrictions Grant Policy pdf icon PDF 31 KB

Having successfully distributed its initial £3.817m Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) allocation ahead of the 31 July 20201 deadline, on 16 July 2021 the Borough Council received an additional £1.054m of ARG funding from Central Government to use to support local businesses as the economy moves towards a period of recovery. This report sets out an amended policy to support businesses in key sectors through a new grant scheme.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Decision Notice D210085MEM)

 

Following the successful distribution of its initial Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) allocation ahead of the 31 July 2021 deadline, the Borough Council received an additional £1.054 million of ARG funding from Government to use to support local businesses as the economy moved towards a period of recovery.

 

An amended policy (attached at Annex 1) was presented for consideration and aimed to establish a focus on supporting those in the entertainment, leisure, activity, travel and tourism, events businesses and wraparound care sector by providing a small additional grant to businesses that had previously applied to rounds 1 and 2 of the ARG (Discretionary) Restart Grant or the Mandatory Restart Grant.

 

RECOMMENDED: That

 

(1)            the report be noted;

 

(2)            the proposed amended Additional Restrictions Grant Policy, set out at Annex 1, be agreed; and

 

(3)            the timescale for applications be opened as soon as possible (late September 2021)

Matters submitted for Information

ERG 21/21

West Kent Partnership pdf icon PDF 193 KB

The following Minutes of the West Kent Partnership are attached for information:

 

-        23 April 2021

-        16 July 2021

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report presented details of the key matters discussed at the meetings of the West Kent Partnership held on 23 April and 16 July 2021.

 

Members noted that the Borough Council’s responses in relation to a number of Gatwick airport consultations would be considered by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board in due course.

 

Matters for consideration in Private

ERG 21/22

Exclusion of Press and Public pdf icon PDF 4 KB

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

 

Minutes:

There were no items considered in private.