Agenda item

This report sets out progress made within the areas covered by the Portfolio Holder for Inward Investment, Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships which fall within the remit of this Committee.

Discussion:

Members received an overview of progress made on the areas within the scope of the Portfolio Holder for Inward Investment, Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships which fell within the remit of this Committee as set out below:

·         Inward Investment

A Member referred to the decision of the Council to increase its level of financial support for inward investment to £210,000 in order to raise its profile as a desirable location for businesses and sought clarification as to how Medway could ensure that businesses relocated in Medway.

In response, the Portfolio Holder advised that the Council was working in partnership with Kent County Council (KCC) to procure new inward investment with a contract worth £3 million over a three year period. He confirmed that KCC had contributed a significant level of funding to the contract and the balance had come from European funding.

The Portfolio Holder advised the Committee that Medway had an excellent working relationship with KCC and both local authorities had equal status on the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership.

He referred in particular to a visit to Medway in November 2016 by the Chairman of Locate in Kent on a guided tour of major commercial sites in Medway, thus allowing him an opportunity to understand Medway’s investment priorities and economic and strategic position.

·         Watermill Wharf

In response to a question as to the level of interest in units at Watermill Wharf, the Portfolio Holder advised that there had been significant interest in the business units and storage units to date. In addition, it was confirmed that there had been a high level of interest in business accommodation at the Rochester Airport Technology Park.

·         Opportunities for future European Funding

A Member sought clarification as to whether there would continue to be opportunities for Medway to benefit from European funding in the future.  In response, the Portfolio Holder advised that with the exception of any European Funding bids already being progressed, local authorities were not being encouraged to submit bids beyond 2019.

·         Rochester Riverside and the future of the existing coach park

In response to concerns that the development proposals for Rochester Riverside would result in the loss of the existing coach park, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that discussions were already in hand for the provision of a replacement coach park. However, given the number of coaches that use the car park on non-event days it was unlikely that the replacement coach park would be as large as that  currently provided. It was unlikely that the existing coach park would cease to be available until late 2018.

·         Medway Ambassadors

A Member asked how the number of Medway Ambassadors compared with other similar sized local authorities.

In response, the Portfolio Holder advised that the Ambassador Scheme had originally begun as Regeneration Ambassadors but had since been expanded and relaunched in June 2016. The format of the Ambassadors scheme was currently being revised.

Decision:

The Committee thanked the Portfolio Holder for attending the meeting and answering questions and requested that information be supplied to Members on the number of Medway Ambassadors in comparison with those at similar sized local authorities.