Agenda item

This Item was taken before Item 8 – Apprenticeship Update and KCC’s Support Role.

Mr Ross Gill was in attendance for this item.

1.    Mr Murphy introduced the draft strategy and asked Members to consider the questions under paragraph 6.2 of the report.

2.    Mr D Smith provided a background summary of the draft economic strategy and the way forward in its development and improvement before it would be adopted by the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership.

3.    Mr Gill said earlier versions of the strategy had been shared with colleagues in the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership and the districts to draw together a comprehensive evidence base. Mr Gill ran through the questions outlined in paragraph 6.2. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threat (SWOT) analysis had been carried out and three high level objectives had been identified along with five ambitions. Mr Gill said the strategy aligned with the Strategic Statement and was part of the Strategic Reset Programme.

4.    Asked how the Shared Prosperity Fund could be accessed for the deprived and economically underperforming areas in Kent, Mr Smith said the strategy would address the long-standing places of Kent which had previously not been able to improve.  The strategy provided the evidence base for propositions to government and district councils, and action plans would be developed alongside the framework.

5.    Members provided feedback which included:

·       There were opportunities from Brexit by way of trade deals for businesses and it should not be classed as a threat.

·       Innovation and an export focus be included as high-level objectives.

·       Sustainable and Inclusive were important but as secondary objectives and properties of economic activity.

·       Flexible working was not just an opportunity but also a threat due to lower productivity. Working in offices was important for the hospitality industry.

·       The framework be adapted to reflect the pandemic recovery and reversion to pre-pandemic working.   

·       Important to recognise that Kent was the nearest part of the UK to other countries and a global focused county.

·       Population growth and higher than average building of houses could be a threat to communities due to the lack of infrastructure and effect on agricultural land.

·       Kent had many individual competing economies, and the strategy could focus on key sectors and how they could benefit from the strategy.

·       An executive summary be included at the start of the document to highlight the key points.

·       The inclusion of a focus on global research to promote universities and attract academics, and support for creative businesses and the music industry.

·       More explanation of inclusivity.

·       Green economy was an opportunity and should include training and apprenticeships.

·       The third ambition – Secure resilient infrastructure for planned, sustainable growth – was not just an ambition but also a necessity.

·       Opportunity to find a permanent solution for the use of the M20 as a lorry park when looking at the economic development of Kent and infrastructure investment.

6.    The Chair highlighted the importance of a sense of ambition for residents and businesses across Kent being built into the document and Members agreed the framework was a good starting point.

RESOLVED that the committee gave feedback to the Cabinet Member on the development of the Strategy and the draft framework.