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 17 June 2019

RESOLVED:  That the notes of the meeting of the Economic Regeneration Advisory Board held on 17 June 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Presentation on a new programme to provide business funding and advice aimed at reducing the carbon footprint across Kent.

Members received a presentation from Rob Robinson of Kent County Council on the impact of Lower Carbon Across the South East (LoCASE) grants in supporting businesses within the Borough.  Members asked a number of questions on the criteria for grant aid and the guidance provided to applicants, the availability of future funding, particularly post-Brexit, and how the scheme assisted with the Council’s Economic Regeneration Strategy.  The Chairman thanked Mr Robinson for his contribution to the meeting.

This report provides a further update on the Business Rates Retention Pilot Schemes and seeks endorsement to progress a shopfront improvement scheme for local centres and parades (subject to KCC agreement).

Decision Notice D190063MEM

The report of the Chief Executive provided an update 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 and the proposed Local Centres and Parades Improvements Scheme.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)          the content of the report be noted;

(2)          the proposal to close the Town and District Centres Commercial Frontages Scheme to new applications by the end of December 2019 be approved; and

(3)          delivery of a Local Centres and Parades Improvement Scheme be approved and this initiative be launched before the end of December 2019.

This report seeks endorsement to submit a renewal application to the Fairtrade Foundation for the renewal of Tonbridge’s Fairtrade Town status.

Decision Notice D190064MEM

The report of the Chief Executive sought endorsement of the submission of an application to the Fairtrade Foundation for the renewal of Tonbridge’s Fairtrade Town Status.

RECOMMENDED:  That

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

(2)          subject to the inclusion of the University of Kent and Tonbridge Castle as local organisations engaged in Fairtrade activities, the renewal submission, as outlined at paragraph 1.2.3 of the report, be endorsed.

This report provides an update on added-value activities that the Borough Council has been delivering under the ‘skills and work readiness’ agenda and proposes future activity that will help to meet the aims of the newly-adopted Economic Regeneration Strategy.

Decision Notice D190065MEM

The report of the Chief Executive provided an update on added-value activities delivered by the Borough Council under the ‘skills and work readiness’ agenda and set out details of future activities which would meet the aims of the Economic Regeneration Strategy Action Plan for 2020/21.

RECOMMENDED:  That the proposed activities for 2020/21, as set out at paragraph 1.5.2 to the report, be endorsed.

The report provides an update from the West Kent Partnership, including the Minutes of the last meeting and the priorities for growth.

The report of the Chief Executive provided details of key matters discussed at the meeting of the West Kent Partnership held on 5 July 2019 and made particular reference to the West Kent Scale Up programme which provided intense support to local businesses to encourage growth.

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.