(Draft Regeneration Strategy document added 6.3.18)

Cabinet Member for Regeneration

Cabinet considered the report of the Interim Head of Economy and Community Services and the above Cabinet Member which presented the consultative draft of the Council’s new Economic Regeneration Framework.

The Cabinet Member introduced the report and drew attention to the tabled Framework document.  He highlighted some of the points in the document; the increase in numbers of small businesses, the future challenges of finding commercial space across the Borough, and for improving skills, the Council was working with Canterbury and Mid-Kent Colleges for a business case for a college in Sittingbourne.  The Cabinet Member advised that the Framework would be presented to the Policy Development and Review Committee.

A Member queried that Kent Science Park was the largest cluster of life sciences businesses in Kent, and the Cabinet Member agreed to find out more and confirm.

Members made comments which included:  welcomed the report; it was important to improve infrastructure; further and higher education facilities were needed; tourism should be included; and there should be more transparency with regard to bids and funding.

Resolved:

(1)      That the draft Economic Regeneration Framework be published for an eight week consultation period, after which its contents would be reviewed.