Issue - meetings

Background:

This report introduced a new draft Kent and Medway Economic Framework. The Framework set out a high level strategy to guide activity to support the sustainable growth of Kent and Medway’s economy through to 2030.

The Framework was a non-statutory document and did not set out any specific future resource commitments for Medway Council. It would, however, help to make the case for future Government funding and powers, in the context of the forthcoming closure of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership. It was a framework within which local government, business, education, and the voluntary sector could work together in support of common objectives and embraced a collaborative partnership working approach consistent with the values and aims of the Council.

Reasons:

The Kent and Medway Economic Framework is a joint economic strategy that has been developed for Kent and Medway to guide economic development until 2030. It provides long-term strategic direction and economic development objectives for Kent & Medway to support economic growth, productivity, and wider regeneration. It will support the delivery of Medway 2035, the Council Corporate Plan, Medway’s Town Centres Strategy, which all embrace and support a co-creation and co-production approach of collaborative partnership working. It has been discussed and supported by local authority leaders across Kent & Medway and is now recommended for formal support by the Cabinet.