Decision details

Proposed decision:

To make permanent the operating model for the recently established in-house Visitor Economy (Visit Kent) and Inward Investment (Invest Kent) Service for Kent & Medway.

Reason for the decision

-      The decision is required to confirm the future arrangements of the Visitor Economy (Visit Kent) and Inward Investment (Invest Kent) Service for Kent & Medway.

-      The proposed decision is to continue the current in-house delivery model for the Visitor Economy (Visit Kent) and Inward Investment (Invest Kent) service until such time that the successor local government arrangements are implemented through Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and devolution arrangements. The service will transfer to the successor authority in accordance with statutory arrangements, thus ensuring continuity of delivery. The detailed future operating model will be determined by the successor body.   

-      This decision ensures continuity of service delivery, protects economic competitiveness, and supports a managed transition to future governance arrangements.

Background

-      Visitor economy and inward investment services are essential components of local economic development, supporting business growth, job creation, and external reputation. Kent & Medway’s Visitor Economy is worth £4.1bn annually and its 6,000 businesses support more than 82,000 jobs (11% of the county’s employment).

-      Historically, these services were delivered through externally commissioned organisations (Visit Kent and Locate in Kent). However, following their cessation in September 2025, KCC and Medway Council established a new in-house, partnership-led service to ensure continuity of critical economic functions, including destination management, promotion, and inward investment to:

o   Safeguard key functions and assets

o   Maintain Kent & Medway’s competitiveness

o   Provide continuity for businesses, investors and the tourism sector

o   Align delivery with future devolution considerations

-      The in-house model was determined to be the most effective and expedient approach for the period to March 2027.

-      The services directly support the Kent & Medway Economic Framework (KMEF), which sets out ambitions to create a more productive, sustainable and inclusive economy, including attracting investment and strengthening place-based economic growth.

-      They also play a key role in:

o   Promoting Kent & Medway as a destination to visit, live and invest

o   Securing inward investment and supporting business relocation

o   Coordinating the tourism sector and improving productivity

o   Enhancing external reputation and competitiveness

-      The early establishment of the in-house model has enabled KCC and partners to stabilise service delivery and begin rebuilding capacity following a significant reduction in funding and provision in recent years.

-      The service has now been established and operational since November 2025, with the new Visit Kent model launched on 7 May 2026 and Invest Kent launched at UKREiiF (UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum) 19 – 21 May 2026, demonstrating early progress in restoring Kent & Medway’s market presence nationally and internationally. The service was shaped in consultation with key partners. Industry and strategic direction is led by an external non-executive chair and a oversight board.

Options (other options considered but discarded)

Option 1: Cease provision of the service (Do nothing) (Not recommended)

-      This would result in no coordinated visitor economy or inward investment service across Kent & Medway.

Implications:

-      Loss of strategic leadership and coordination

-      Reduced ability to attract inward investment

-      Loss of destination marketing capability

-      Risk of reduced visitor spend and economic activity

-      Reputational damage and loss of competitiveness relative to other areas

-      This option is not recommended.

Option 2: Scale back the current service (Not recommended)

-      This would involve continuing a reduced version of the service, focusing on limited core functions. The service is already operating on a minimum viable service basis having faced funding reductions of 65% over recent years.

Implications:

-      Reduced reach and impact in attracting investment and visitors

-      Inability to deliver full range of strategic and sector support activity

-      Risk that Kent & Medway falls behind competitor destinations

-      Loss of momentum established since the launch of the new model

-      This option presents moderate risk and does not maximise economic benefit.

How the proposed decision supports the Council’s Strategic Statement

-      The proposal aligns strongly with the four aims of KCC’s strategic statement:

Putting Kent Residents First

-      The service supports local residents by driving economic growth, supporting jobs, and increasing opportunities across the county.

Reforming Kent County Council

-      The in-house model represents a more efficient, streamlined approach to service delivery, aligning with the Council’s focus on value for money, efficiency and reducing reliance on external provision.

Supporting Residents That Need Help

-      By supporting economic growth and job creation, the service contributes to reducing dependency and improving economic resilience for individuals and communities.

Building Better Communities

-      Visitor economy and inward investment activity helps create vibrant places, supports local businesses, and strengthens community prosperity and cohesion.

-      In addition, the proposal supports the Council’s emphasis on value for money, efficiency, and delivering services that provide tangible benefits to residents and local businesses.

As Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Special Projects, I agree to continue the in-house Visitor Economy and Inward Investment Service for Kent and Medway, specifically:

a)    APPROVE the continuation of the existing in-house provision model for the delivery of Visitor Economy and Inward Investment services, delivered through the Grow in Kent team, beyond 31 March 2027.

b)    APPROVE the use of approved Kent County Council budgets and any relevant external funding or income to support the continued delivery of the in-house service.

c)   DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport, in consultation with the S151 officer, to agree, finalise and manage all funding arrangements associated with the continued delivery of the service.

d) DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport to take all necessary actions, including (but not limited to), negotiating, finalising terms and entering into contracts or other legal agreements, and amending or terminating those agreements as required to implement the decision and maintain the continued delivery of the service.

This delegation ensures continuity of delivery pending the outcome and implementation of Local Government Reorganisation and devolution arrangements, recognising that no final service model or governance structure has yet been determined for successor authorities