Decision details

The LOCASE project is an integrated programme of financial assistance and business support to increase demand for low carbon technology, increase efficiency and grow business in the low carbon environmental goods and services (LCEGS) sector across the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).

The project is part funded by the European Structural Investment Fund (8,858,923), Private Sector (£9,000,000), Kent County Council (£134,377), Essex County Council (£166,715), Thurrock Council (£98,732), Southend Borough Council (£33,071), East Sussex County Council (£85,099) and the University of Brighton (£148,648).

• A full options analysis was carried out and is detailed in the LOCASE Application Form. It considered and rejected the following alternative options:

Option (a): Do nothing – no ESIF investment

Option (b): Funding for STEM only – reduced ESIF investment

Option (c): Reduced cost LOCASE grant scheme – reduced ESIF investment

Option (d): Stagger core SME offering – delay in ESIF investment

·   How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’

LOCASE directly delivers against Themes 1 and 2 of the Kent Environment Strategy which in turn delivers across the objectives and outcomes of KCC’s Strategic Statement. In particular, the aims and objectives of LOCASE have a direct correlation to the following supporting outcomes;

·   Kent business growth is supported by having access to a well skilled local workforce with improved transport, broadband and necessary infrastructure

·   All Kent’s communities benefit from economic growth and lower levels of deprivation

In turn LOCASE will meet the following Corporate Objective through its work in delivering against the priorities listed below of the Kent Environment Strategy;

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Transport has agreed to approve the delivery of the Low Carbon across the South East Project.