Reason for the decision:
KCC was required by the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) to coordinate the development of the Get Kent & Medway Working Plan to support the government’s ambitions set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper (November 2024).
Background:
Local Get Britain Working Plans focus on health, economic inactivity (unemployment) and skills. They include an analysis of the economic inactivity challenge locally, an overview of current service provision and gaps in these areas and a short- and longer-term action plan to improve health, skills and employment outcomes for the local population and local employers to support an enhanced quality of life and local economy. The Kent & Medway Plan needs to be finalised in July 2025 and formally signed off by KCC, Medway Council, the Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board and Jobcentre Plus with endorsement from wider partners and stakeholders.
Alignment to Local Strategic Priorities:
The plan adheres KCC’s to Securing Kent’s Future’s requirement for full cost recovery given that its development was supported by a DWP grant for this purpose.
The plan builds on, encompasses and supports ambitions in the Kent & Medway Economic Framework, Framing Kent’s Future, the Integrated Kent & Medway Integrated Work & Health Strategy, Local Skills Improvement Plan and the Integrated Care Strategy, all of which include elements to support people into work and training, develop the local workforce and ensure that employers have access to people with the right skills.
Other options considered but discarded
Do nothing: (discounted). It is a government commitment to have a Get Brittan Working Plan and therefore the Department for Work & Pensions wrote to Kent County Council (KCC) on 28 February requiring the Council to lead the development of the Get Kent & Medway Working Plan.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 24/06/2025
Decision due: Not before 23rd Jul 2025 by Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration
Reason: To allow 28 day notice period required under Executive Decision regulations
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration
Lead director: Stephanie Holt-Castle
Department: Growth, Environment & Transport
Contact: Steve Samson, Head of Economy Email: steve.samson@kent.gov.uk Email: steve.samson@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
The proposed decision will be considered at the Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee on 1st July 2025
Financial implications: The development of the plan was fully funded by a grant from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The subsequent implementation plan is not funded but the plan will set out a robust evidence base and series of asks of central government which should facilitate access to future external funding to support the delivery of the plan and related strategies where applicable. Governance procedures will be followed as required within KCC should future funding be secured to support plan implementation.
Legal implications: There are no anticipated legal implications for KCC associated with the development of the Get Kent & Medway Working Plan.
Equalities implications: An EqIA has been developed and it is anticipated that future implementation of the plan will have positive impacts for local residents with protected characteristics.