Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration, Mr Paul King, was present for this item

1.       Head of Economy Mr Steve Sampson introduced and presented the item.  The key points were highlighted for Member attention.

2.       The Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration, Mr Paul King, commented that the decision had been presented to the Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee and he was in full support of it. He commented that health issues appeared to be in the coastal region.  He further explained that one of the key programme designs that helped to deliver the strategy was the Connect to Work Programme and KCC was the accountable body. Mr King confirmed that £34 million had been provided through Government funding to assist over 9,000 local people with long term conditions, disabilities and other disadvantages to gain access or remain in employment.

3.       In answer to Member questions, the following was said:

a)       There was no specific training programme envisaged as part of the strategy, however there were several schemes KCC actively delivered.  The aspiration around the strategy was to encourage people to think about career opportunities.

b)       A wider Government funded project ran concurrently with the Kent and Medway Work and Health Strategy called the Get Kent and Medway Working Plan.  This provided the mapping of skills, education and training provisions within the county.

c)       An element of the Get Kent and Medway Working Plan focused on young people building aspirations early on and providing the right career provision, as well as the right opportunities for engagement with employers.  It was highlighted to Members that these were key building blocks of good health.

d)       A wide consultation had taken place with the District Councils via the Economic Development Officers Group, as well as via housing teams and other officers who worked with some of the target groups for the strategy.  It was confirmed that the role which anchor institutions across the county played in the agenda, was recognised.  Once the strategy had been signed off, engagement with District partners would continue.

4.       RESOLVED that the Committed endorsed the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration to:

·        Approve and adopt the Kent and Medway Integrated Work and Health Strategy on behalf of Kent County Council;

·        DELEGATE authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Director of Growth and Communities, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Public Health and Cabinet Member for Economic Development & Coastal Regeneration, to sign off the final plan, refresh and/or make revisions to the Plan as appropriate during the lifetime of the plan;

·       DELEGATE authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Director of Growth & Communities, to take relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of, and entering into required contract or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision.