The Growth, Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee met on Tuesday 10 March 2026 to discuss a range of important issues affecting the county. Key decisions included the approval of engineering works to reopen the historic Road of Remembrance in Folkestone, the adoption of a new Kent Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy, and revisions to the Kent and Medway Business Fund loan terms. The committee also noted updates on the EV charging infrastructure rollout, the Kent Design Guide, and the Heritage Conservation Strategy.

Road of Remembrance in Folkestone to Reopen After Cliff Stabilisation

The committee endorsed a proposal to proceed with essential engineering works to stabilise the cliff above the Road of Remembrance in Folkestone, a route that has been closed for over two years following a significant landslip. The estimated cost of the project is £5 million, with funding to be drawn from Kent County Council's capital budget and a contribution from Folkestone and Hythe District Council. The works, which are expected to take approximately eleven to twelve months, will involve installing soil nails, erosion control matting, and reinforcing the cliff face and crest to ensure public safety and allow the historic road to be safely reopened. This decision was made after considering various options, including doing nothing or implementing temporary measures, both of which were dismissed due to the high risk of further collapses and potential harm to the public and nearby properties. The project will be delivered through the existing Road Asset Renewal Contract with GW Highways.

New Waste Management Strategy Adopted to Tackle Rising Costs and Environmental Challenges

Kent County Council, in collaboration with its twelve district, borough, and city councils through the Kent Resource Partnership (KRP), has adopted the Kent Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy 2026–2031. This strategy aims to guide household waste management across Kent, focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and compliance with new national legislation. The strategy addresses rising disposal costs, the impending UK Emissions Trading Scheme, and the need to prepare services for local government reorganisation. Key aims include delivering operational excellence, supporting a circular economy, improving performance through behaviour change, and facilitating the transition to unitary waste management systems. The strategy acknowledges that Kent's recycling rates have plateaued, and residual waste per household has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, unlike some neighbouring authorities. To address this, the strategy will focus on increasing recycling, particularly of food waste, and reducing contamination. Future plans include aligning services with the Simpler Recycling legislation, developing new reuse and repair initiatives, and preparing for the Deposit Return Scheme and the Emissions Trading Scheme.

Electric Vehicle Charging Network Expansion Approved

The committee noted the progress of the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging programme, including a new long-term partnership with Urban Fox, part of Balfour Beatty Group, to deliver up to 10,000 on-street charging points across Kent. This initiative, funded by the £12 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund from the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles (OZEV) and private sector investment, will focus on residents without off-street parking and will not require council tax funding. The project aims to provide accessible charging infrastructure, with an equitable rollout across both urban and rural areas. The first year's rollout will see 150 locations with two sockets each, with plans to scale up to 1,200 sockets per year over a ten-year delivery phase. The committee also received an update on other EV charging technologies, including cable gullies and the Trojan Home product, and noted that Kent currently has over 42,500 licensed plug-in vehicles, representing 4% of registered vehicles in the county.

Revised Kent and Medway Business Fund to Support Growth

The Kent and Medway Business Fund (KMBF) will see revised loan terms, offers, and eligibility criteria from 1 April 2026, following a review by the Investment Advisory Board. The fund, which has been operating since 2017 using recycled RGF investments, will continue to provide loans and equity investments to eligible businesses across Kent and Medway until March 2032. The revised standard loan offer will range from £100,000 to £750,000 at 0% interest, with repayment periods of up to eight years. The Small Business Boost scheme will offer loans between £26,000 and £99,000. The fund will continue to support businesses across all sectors, with specific restrictions on primary agricultural production and ineligible sectors such as political or religious organisations. The administration costs of the fund, approximately £670,000 per annum, are fully covered by an administration fee of 10% for loan recipients, ensuring the scheme remains self-funding.

Heritage Conservation Strategy Updated to Reflect Windmill Divestment and New Legislation

The committee considered amendments to the Heritage Conservation Strategy, primarily driven by an executive decision to divest Kent County Council of its eight historic windmills. The revised strategy aims to ensure these windmills have a sustainable future as community assets, with a focus on their care and maintenance. New objectives have been added to reflect this divestment process, alongside provisions for a statutory Historic Environment Record for Kent, as required by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023. The strategy also incorporates Kent County Council's updated policy on climate change, shifting the focus to resilience and adaptation for heritage assets. The strategy's five strategic aims remain, with updated objectives to reflect these changes.

New Kent Design Guide to Promote High-Quality Development

A refreshed Kent Design Guide, presented in a digital, interactive format, is nearing completion. This guide aims to replace the outdated 2005 paper version and will serve as a single, shared online framework of policy and guidance for new homes and neighbourhoods across Kent. Developed in collaboration with local planning authorities, developers, and other stakeholders, the guide will set quality standards and promote consistent design principles. It will be structured around five key design principles: 'Of Kent' (identity and built form), 'People First' (liveability), 'Health and Well Being' (public space), 'Active Kent' (movement), and 'Resilient Places' (nature and climate). The guide is intended to clarify expectations for developers and assist officers in decision-making, ultimately leading to higher quality developments and improved places for residents.

Community Warden Service Continues to Provide Vital Support

An update on the Kent Community Warden Service (KCWS) highlighted its continued importance in providing preventative and early intervention support across the county, despite a reduction in staffing levels. The redesigned model, implemented following budget reductions, has focused on high-impact, targeted support, with wardens now allocated to specific wards based on evidenced need. Data from a new case management system shows that wardens undertake nearly 4,900 tasks annually, with a significant proportion involving practical support, welfare checks, and signposting to services. The service demonstrates strong value for money, with a Social Return on Investment study indicating a return of £3.14–£3.34 for every £1 invested. The report also highlighted the service's role in reducing loneliness, improving wellbeing, and strengthening community safety and resilience, with examples of wardens supporting vulnerable residents, addressing anti-social behaviour, and assisting during emergencies. The service is also exploring innovative ways to extend its reach through sponsorship programmes with parish councils and potential collaborations with commercial transport providers.

Performance Dashboard Shows Overall Positive Progress

The Growth, Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee received the latest performance dashboard, covering data up to December 2025. Of the 44 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), 38 were rated 'Green', indicating they are on or ahead of target. Five KPIs were rated 'Amber', meaning they met the floor standard but not the target, and one KPI, 'EC18: Number of new people receiving entrepreneurship mentoring support from Kent Foundation', was rated 'Red'. However, activity for this KPI picked up in January, putting it back on track to meet its year-end target. The committee also reviewed proposed KPIs and targets for the next financial year, including an expanded range of indicators for the Highways and Transportation division.

Heritage Conservation Strategy Updated

The Heritage Conservation Strategy has been updated to reflect an executive decision to divest Kent County Council of its eight historic windmills. The revised strategy aims to ensure these windmills have a sustainable future as community assets, with a focus on their care and maintenance. New objectives have been added to reflect this divestment process, alongside provisions for a statutory Historic Environment Record for Kent, as required by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023. The strategy also incorporates Kent County Council's updated policy on climate change, shifting the focus to resilience and adaptation for heritage assets. The five strategic aims of the original strategy remain, with updated objectives to reflect these changes.

Strategic Risk Register Reviewed

The committee considered the strategic risks facing the Growth, Environment and Transport Directorate. Three corporate risks were highlighted: CRR0003 (Securing resources to aid economic growth and enabling infrastructure), CRR0052 (Adaptation of KCC services to the impacts of a changing climate), and CRR0042 (Border fluidity, infrastructure and resilience). The directorate's own risk register includes eight risks, with GT0034 (Market capacity and competition) being a new addition. GT0026 (Net Zero and insufficiency of funding) was withdrawn following a change in council policy. The committee was asked to consider and comment on these risks.

Work Programme Noted

The committee noted the work programme for future meetings.

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