Regeneration and Economy - A District Perspective. Oral report back from visits to Canterbury on 26 February and Dartford and Gravesham on 12 March
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Canterbury – 26 February 2010
1) Members expressed their thanks to Canterbury City Council for the organisation of an excellent, full visit and the welcome the KCC party was given.
2) In discussion, Members made the following comments on what they had seen and heard in Canterbury and Herne Bay:-
a) Canterbury has obviously had much money spent on it, while Herne Bay has not, although Members were reassured that projects in Canterbury had received good cross-party support, and that investors were expressing confidence in Herne Bay;
b) Canterbury is a vibrant city, and its 30 – 40,000 student population brought life and economic benefits to the city, plus inevitably a few social problems;
c) the elements of education, skills, employment and regeneration came together well in Canterbury, but there was always scope to strengthen the links between these elements in Canterbury and in other towns;
d) local passion was evident, and character and tradition are everything in making a place successful;
e) one negative in Canterbury was in relation to the new Innovation Centre at the University of Canterbury, as the number of jobs generated were low when set to the financial investment;
f) another Member said the Innovation Centre seemed to be covering its costs, and had been selective about the businesses it had included. It is a fertile place for growth, is well placed and a worthwhile enterprise;
g) this was an excellent visit, but it is important to remember that regeneration is a long term task, and there is a long way to go;
h) Canterbury has much for other towns to envy – its Cathedral, Universities and private schools which attract money and cultural tourism. With all those advantages, it should be impressive;
i) Herne Bay will come good, like Whitstable, if it is marketed properly;
j) it had taken years to gain agreement to the development of Herne Bay, but the confidence was now there, and it was attracting investment; and
k) the Canterbury bypass had not been built with a view to the future, and new housing being built needs infrastructure to support it.
3) Mr Lynes referred to the East Kent Spatial Development Company which existed to administrate Government funding, and which he used to chair. It had had some involvement in the Innovation Centre, and he agreed that it was important to get the right balance between having enough tenants and the right tenants. Occupancy how exceed expectations and offered a good support network for growing businesses, although he would not wish to see it drain business and energy from other places.
Dartford – 12 March 2010, am
4) Members expressed their thanks to Mr Kite and his team at Dartford Borough Council for their organisation of an excellent pre-briefing pack and full tour.
5) In discussion, Members made the following comments on what they had seen and heard around Dartford:-
a) it was important to continue with and finish Kent Thameside as an exemplar ... view the full minutes text for item 17