Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

To confirm as a correct record the Notes of the meeting of the Economic Regeneration Advisory Board held on 20 February 2019

RESOLVED:  That the notes of the meeting of the Economic Regeneration Advisory Board held on 20 February 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Presentation by the Economic Regeneration Manager (Jeremy Whittaker) on activities undertaken by the Borough Council to support the local economy over the last four years.

The Economic Regeneration Manager presented an overview of activities undertaken by the Borough Council over the last four years to support the local economy.

This report sets out the proposed changes to the draft strategy in light of the feedback received during the consultation exercise which was undertaken in October - November 2018, and recommends adoption of the strategy as amended.

The report of the Chief Executive set out details of proposed changes to the draft Borough Economic Regeneration Strategy 2019-2023 in light of feedback received during the consultation exercise undertaken during October and November 2018. Particular reference was made to access to broadband provision in remote areas, the need to lobby for lower business rates to encourage High Street shops, the development of socio-economic initiatives in ‘deprived areas’ to support those seeking employment and the success of the West Kent Careers and Enterprise Network in promoting ‘work readiness’ in schools and colleges.  It was noted that these issues had been included in the revised strategy set out at Annex 1 to the report. 

RECOMMENDED:  That the Borough Economic Regeneration Strategy 2019-2023, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

*Referred to Cabinet

This report sets out an update on the Business Rates Retention Pilot Initiatives, and seeks approval to scope out a shopfront improvement scheme for local centres and parades.

Decision Notice D190046MEM

The report of the Chief Executive set out details of progress on economic regeneration initiatives within the Borough funded by income received from the Business Rates Retention Pilot. Particular reference was made to the Town and District Commercial Frontages Grant Scheme launched at the end of March 2019 and the potential for this to be extended to local centres and parades across the Borough. 

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)          the content of the report be noted; and

(2)          initial scoping work on a local centres shopfront improvement scheme be undertaken and a report on the scheme, along with a list of other potential initiatives, be submitted to the next meeting of the Advisory Board. 

This report provides information on the Service Level Agreement that the Council currently has with Visit Kent and sets out proposals for 2019/20.

Decision Notice D190047MEM

The report of the Chief Executive provided a summary of the current Service Level Agreement between the Borough Council and Visit Kent and set out details of the proposed agreement for 2019/20.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)          the proposal to continue the Service Level Agreement with Visit Kent in 2019/20 at the level set out at paragraph 1.4.1 of the report (a maximum of £3,680) be agreed; and

(2)               the activities set out at paragraph 1.4.2 of the report be included in the Service Level Agreement.

This report sets out an economic overview of the borough in order to demonstrate recent trends and to provide the most up-to-date statistics on the current performance of the local economy.

The report of the Chief Executive provided an overview of the economic position of the Borough which included details of recent trends, up-to-date statistics on current performance of the local economy and comparison with neighbouring districts within West Kent.

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.

There were no items considered in private.