Issue - meetings

To receive a report by the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and the Corporate Director of Growth Environment and Transport that explains the SEBB programme and sets out KCC’s role. It seeks the support of the Cabinet Committee for KCC to accept the ERDF grant allocation if it is approved and to use it to fund a business support programme.

1.            The Economic Strategy and Policy Manager, Mr Gill, introduced a report that explained the SEBB programme and sets out KCC’s role and sought the support of the Cabinet Committee to accept Kent’s share of the European Regional Development Fund grant allocation for £1.2 million over three years, should it be approved. This will fund a business support programme in Kent and Medway.

2.            Mr Gill highlighted that as part of the proposal for the European Regional Development funding (ERDF), KCC had agreed to contribute £8,580 in kind match funding to the project.   The project contains a business grant fund: this would be managed by Southend Council. 

3.            Mr Gill gave the following responses to questions by Members:

a)    Mr Gill explained that the Kent and Medway Growth Hub signposted businesses to available business support, focusing primarily on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The South East Business Boost project will supplement this by offering business advisory and support services.

b)    Successful applications for the ERDF funding are likely to be notified in early May.  If the application was not approved KCC would not receive the supplementary ERDF money.

4.            RESOLVED that:-

(a)     the responses to questions by Members be noted; and

(b)     the Cabinet Committee endorsed the proposed decision to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Economic Development to accept grant funding of up to £1.2 million revenue to deliver the South East Business Boost Programme; and to delegate to the Director of Economic Development the authority to sign a grant offer letter as required on behalf of KCC.