Agenda item

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

Discussion:

Members received an overview of progress on the areas of work within the terms of reference of this Committee and covered by the Portfolio Holder for Inward Investment, Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships, Councillor Rodney Chambers, OBE as set out below:

·         External funding including local growth fund

·         Heritage Champion

·         Inward Investment

·         Medway the Place

·         Strategic Partnerships

·         Strategic Regeneration and Planning

The Portfolio Holder for Inward Investment, Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships, Councillor Rodney Chambers, OBE informed the Committee that, ordinarily, his report would have been presented to the Committee in March 2020. However, this had not been possible due to the cancellation of the March meeting as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown.

The Portfolio Holder drew attention to the Government’s Getting Building Fund, created specifically in response to the Covid pandemic aimed at kickstarting delayed schemes and providing opportunities to involve skills training and employability. Medway’s bid to the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) for £1.99m under this scheme for the development of Britton Farm Mall, referred to in paragraph 2.9 of the report, had been successful and the project was required to be delivered by March 2022.

The Portfolio Holder then responded to Members’ questions and comments as follows:

• Locate in Kent – The Committee discussed the proposed extension of the inward investment contract with Locate in Kent at a cost of £70,000 per annum and discussed how this contract benefited Medway. In particular, reference was made to the need to encourage and attract those businesses which, due to the changes in the way services were delivered during the Covid lockdown, may now be considering possible relocation outside of London whilst adapting to increased use of technology and the ability of staff to work from home.

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that due to its proximity to London, Medway was always an attractive alternative for businesses interested in relocating away from the City and enquiries were already being received. He suggested that the Committee may wish to invite Locate in Kent to undertake a presentation to a future meeting to enable the Committee to gain a better understanding of the work that Locate in Kent undertake on Medway’s behalf.

• Staffing capacity to oversee regeneration projects – Concern was expressed as to whether the Council had sufficient capacity in its Regeneration team to oversee and deliver the number of regeneration projects being undertaken in Medway, whilst ensuring value for money.

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that he was satisfied that existing regeneration projects in Medway would be completed on time and meet the deadlines for utilising grant funding. A number of schemes had been granted a 6 month extension on completion and delivery due to the Covid pandemic.

The Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive informed the Committee that there had recently been a restructure within his Directorate in response to the successful bid for funding through the Housing Infrastructure Fund which had generated £170m funding.

In response to a question concerning the preference for use of consultants as opposed to employing full time staff, the Portfolio Holder advised that any decision on this would depend upon the work that they were being engaged for. If the project was short term, then consultants would be more appropriate.

• Enterprise Zone Status – In response to a question as to whether it would be possible to extend the Enterprise Zone status for Innovation Park Medway, the Portfolio Holder advised that discussions were already taking place to seek an extension from the Government.

The Assistant Director - Regeneration confirmed that the Thames Gateway Kent Partnership working with the Local Enterprise Partnerships’ network had submitted a request to Government to have the Enterprise Zone status extended for a period of 5 years until 2027. An update would be provided when available.

• Innovation Park Medway (IPM) - During discussions on Innovation Park Medway, the Portfolio Holder advised that he had received confirmation that many of those businesses that had expressed an interest in relocating to IPM prior to the Covid pandemic, remained interested.

• Strategic Regeneration and Planning - Referring to the successful award of £170m of infrastructure funding from the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF), clarification was sought as to whether there was a £400,000 interest payment required in respect of this funding. The Portfolio Holder advised that he was not aware that there was any interest to be paid.

• Impact on the delivery of regeneration projects as a result of the Local Plan - In response to concerns that the delay in the production of the Local Plan could affect delivery of regeneration projects, the Portfolio Holder informed the Committee that the delay at Innovation Park Medway had resulted from an issue raised by Highways England and, as a result, it had not yet been possible to confirm the Local Development Order. It was considered that the issues may soon be resolved and a report would be submitted to Cabinet in December 2020.

The Portfolio Holder also confirmed that works were progressing on the Riverside site at Strood Waterfront. It was suggested that should there be any delays at the Strood Riverside site, consideration be given to grassing the site along similar lines to the Rochester Riverside site to improve its visual appearance.

• Construction Industry Training Board - It was noted that funding had been secured from the Construction Industry Training Board for an employability and scaffolding training programme with guaranteed job outcomes for those completing the programme. Unfortunately this had been delayed due to Covid-19 and a start date was not yet available.

• Medway Skills Partnership Boards - In response to a question, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that the Medway Skills Partnership Boards continued to drive forward the skills agenda for Medway. Consisting of an Officers’ Board, a Members’ Board and a newly-formed Skills Stakeholder Board, the structure was in place to ensure the delivery of the Skills and Employability Plan for Medway.

Work was in hand to identify the skills required to enable small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and Microbusinesses to grow and to improve the delivery of skills advice in secondary schools. This work would be carried out by an Enterprise Co-ordinator.

• Kent and Medway Employment Taskforce – The Committee was informed that Medway was contributing to a Kent and Medway Employment Taskforce designed to respond to the employment need post Covid-19, and the Portfolio Holder advised that as a starting point, the Taskforce would be looking at skills advice currently available in Kent and Medway with a view to co-ordinating this service, possibly through the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.

Decision:

The Committee thanked the Portfolio Holder for Inward Investment Strategic Regeneration and Partnerships for attending the meeting and answering questions and agreed that Locate in Kent be invited to attend a future meeting of this Committee to undertake a presentation on its work.