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Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee - Tuesday, 1st July, 2025 10.00 am

July 1, 2025 View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)
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Summary

The Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee met to discuss a range of issues, including the extension of a management contract for the Old Rectory Business Centre, the Get Kent & Medway Working Plan, and the Integrated Work and Health Strategy for Kent and Medway. Councillor Paul Thomas was elected as chair, and Councillor James Dufresne as vice-chair of the committee. The committee voted to extend the Old Rectory Business Centre management contract, and also endorsed both the Get Kent and Medway Working Plan and the Integrated Work and Health Strategy for Kent and Medway.

Get Kent & Medway Working Plan

The committee endorsed the Get Kent & Medway Working Plan, a government-funded initiative designed to address economic inactivity and skills gaps in the region. Councillor Paul King, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration, explained that the plan aims to improve job opportunities, support local businesses, and grow the economy.

Steve Samson, Head of Economy, noted that the plan is being developed on a short timescale and is intended to identify needs and good practices, and to request government support for tackling economic inactivity. He said that there are approximately 215,000 people not working in Kent and Medway who may want to work, and that caring responsibilities affect around 75,000 people. He also noted issues around young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), including barriers to education and mental health issues.

Councillor Paul Stepto raised concerns about home-educated young people, the proportion of young people with autism in the NEET cohort, employer engagement with schools, and the impact of bus cuts on economic inactivity.

Mike Sole raised concerns about the accuracy and meaningfulness of employment rate figures for different districts, particularly Canterbury, and asked what action would be taken to address any disparities. He said:

I think it's very dangerous to look at these numbers as they are without a much greater deal of analysis as to the reasons for this.

Mr. Samson responded that the consultants working on the plan are conducting a deep dive analysis to provide clarity, taking into account factors such as student populations.

Oliver Bradshaw asked about the student population, and Christopher Fry asked how success would be measured. Mr. Samson said that success would be measured by a reduction in the number of economically inactive people, an increase in the number of people securing employment, and a reduction in the number of people unable to work due to ill health.

Councillor Thomas noted the importance of transport connectivity between the workforce and jobs, and requested a costed scope of works and plan of action for future consideration.

Integrated Work and Health Strategy for Kent and Medway

The committee considered and endorsed the Integrated Work and Health Strategy for Kent and Medway, which aims to support people with long-term health conditions in accessing and staying in work. Councillor Paul King explained that the strategy is a joint effort with the NHS and Medway Council, and that it addresses the large number of people unable to work due to long-term health conditions.

Mr. Samson added that the strategy has been developed over a year with extensive engagement with stakeholders, employers, and residents. He outlined activities to be developed through the implementation plan, including building employer confidence, enhancing skills and training, encouraging anchor institutions to lead by example, and supporting the existing workforce to remain healthy.

Councillor Sole raised concerns about comments from Reform UK regarding flexible working and questioned whether the council acknowledges the benefits of flexible working. Councillor King responded that the budget figures were not within his brief and that the policy is more related to health and well-being than directly working from home.

Councillor Stepto asked what 'job carving' means. Mr. Samson explained that it is about shaping a job around an individual's skills and needs, while also meeting the needs of the employer.

James Defriend praised the report for its balance between solutions and data.

Old Rectory Business Centre Management Contract

The committee endorsed a decision to extend the management contract for the Old Rectory Business Centre in Northfleet to allow time to dispose of the site as a going concern.

Paul King explained that the committee had previously agreed to dispose of the property as a going concern, and the extension is needed to continue the process.

Connie Nolan questioned why the council was disposing of an income-generating asset, given the sluggish property market in Kent and the South East, and suggested asking the tenants if they would like to buy the enterprise. She proposed that other options be considered, but this proposal was not seconded.

Mike Sole supported extending the contract and suggested using the time to look into the tenancy agreements and the decision-making process for the disposal. Wayne Chapman questioned why the building was not being sold sooner to save on management costs.

James Defriend asked if a covenant would be placed on the building to ensure it remains for its current use.

The committee agreed to extend the contract, subject to the comments and concerns raised by members, including exploring the option of tenants forming a management company.

Kent County Council Introduction to Growth and Communities Division

The committee noted a report providing an introduction to the Kent County Council's Growth and Communities Division. Paul Webb, Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, introduced the item, and Stephanie Holt-Castle, Corporate Director, Growth and Communities, provided an overview.

Mike Sole raised concerns about the lack of verbal updates from cabinet members and directors on the agenda and the lack of opposition involvement in setting the agenda. Councillor Thomas apologised for the agenda not being set up adequately and suggested that the work programme be discussed under item 12.

Councillor Stepto asked specific questions about the Kenton Medway Business Fund, the strategy for health and work, the Waste Crime Intelligence Analyst, Active Kenton Medway, and services for Village Greens.

Performance Dashboard

The committee noted the performance report for quarter four of 2024-2025 and commented on the KPIs. Matthew Wagner introduced the report, noting that 19 of the 24 KPIs were rated green, and 5 were rated amber.

Councillor Wagner asked about the number of visitor economy businesses supported, and the reasons for failing on that KPI. Mr. Wagner explained that the target was narrowly missed due to a delay in contracting with the provider.

Work Programme 2025/26

The committee noted the work programme for 2025-2026. Mike Sole asked if visits to districts to see economic activity would continue. Councillor Thomas said that this would be considered and that proposals from officers and cabinet members would be welcome.

Attendees

Profile image for Oliver Bradshaw
Oliver Bradshaw  Reform UK
Profile image for Paul Chamberlain
Paul Chamberlain  Reform UK
Profile image for Wayne Chapman
Wayne Chapman  Reform UK
Profile image for Spencer Dixon
Spencer Dixon  Reform UK
Profile image for Robert Ford
Robert Ford  Reform UK
Profile image for Ben Fryer
Ben Fryer  Reform UK
Profile image for James Defriend
James Defriend  Reform UK
Profile image for Jamie Henderson
Jamie Henderson  Reform UK
Simon Jones
Profile image for Paul King
Paul King  Reform UK
James Pearson
Mark Reeves
Steve Samson
Matt Wagner
Profile image for Paul Webb
Paul Webb  Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services •  Reform UK
Profile image for Dodger Sian
Dodger Sian  Reform UK
Profile image for Mike Sole
Mike Sole  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for Paul Stepto
Paul Stepto  Green Party
Profile image for Paul Thomas
Paul Thomas  Reform UK
Profile image for Nigel Williams
Nigel Williams  Conservative

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

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