Interview with the Leader of the Council, Councillor Chris Garland and Kent County Council’s Economic Strategy and Policy Manager, Ross Gill.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Chris Garland, Leader of the Council and Ross Gill, Economic Strategy and Policy Manager at Kent County Council to the meeting.

Mr Gill gave a presentation (attached at appendix A) in which he outlined the need for a Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) covering Kent, how the proposals for a Kent and Essex LEP were developed and what the next steps in the process were.  It was noted that there was currently no formal guidance outlining what an LEP should comprise of, or appropriate geographical boundaries.  However; the Committee noted that it was anticipated that each LEP would contain two upper tier authorities and that LEP Boards should have 50% membership from the business sector. More detail was expected in the Sub-National Economic Growth White Paper which was due out after the Comprehensive Spending Review.

The Committee was made aware that there were currently two proposals for Local Enterprise Partnerships covering Kent, one for a Kent and Essex LEP supported by Paul Carter, Chief Executive Kent County Council and one to cover Maidstone and Medway which was supported by most Kent MPs and the Leader of the Council.

The Committee queried if Businesses had been consulted in the development of the proposals. Mr Gill confirmed that the Business Advisory Board which includes local businesses was consulted on both proposals and that the initial membership for an LEP Board was likely to be drawn from this group.

A Member asked what businesses wanted to bring to Maidstone. Councillor Garland responded that they required clear planning policies, quality retail and good transport links for both urban and rural economies.  The Committee stressed the need for quality investment in infrastructure and that Maidstone’s weakness was a lack of higher educational facilities. They noted that Maidstone was well positioned for businesses and had recently been rated in a national survey as one of the top twenty best places for business. Mr Gill commented that through the consultation on the proposals the business community had also expressed the need for the skills and education issue to be addressed.

The Committee heard that Cllr Garland had raised his concerns that a Kent & Essex LEP without Medway would not work, despite shared priorities and infrastructure issues, and that Kent MPs had already written to the Minister in support of a Kent & Medway LEP., The Committee requested that the Leader also write to Eric Pickles to outline his position and arguments for a Kent & Medway LEP. The Committee also asked that Cllr Fran Wilson write to the Business Secretary, Vince Cable outlining the Committee’s support for a Kent & Medway LEP.

Members were keen to hear about how the LEP could advance the green agenda but also thought it was important that the landscape surrounding Maidstone be protected. Mr Gill stated that in relation to pursuing the green agenda there would be opportunities in Kent as work had already highlighted the potential need for further manufacturing industry within Shepway and there also appeared to be opportunities around sustainable energy supply such as wind-generated power in North Kent. 

A Member reminded the Committee of the gains that Maidstone achieved through the Kent Partnership by having a clear vision of what was required for Maidstone. The Committee concurred that it was important to be proactive in assessing the economic vision for Maidstone and that there was a need for consultation and agreement amongst Members. The Committee suggested that a member workshop be organised with senior council officers to build a picture of economic development for the borough.

The Members queried what would happen if both proposals were rejected; Mr Gill stated that it would still be possible for the counties to work together as they had previously done.  Councillor Garland stated that he was confident that at least one of the proposals would be successful. Furthermore he understood that a Kent & Essex LEP had been proposed in order to create a partnership in the South East which would be sufficiently large enough to compete with the large northern LEPs that were likely to be developed. In answer to further questions on localism, Councillor Garland went on to say that there would be localism as Government would only be assisting with the set up of the LEPs and not directing them.

The Chair thanked Mr Gill and Councillor Garland for attending and requested that the Committee be kept informed of developments in legislation and the progress of the proposals.

Resolved: That:

a)  the Leader, Councillor Garland  write to Eric Pickles to state that his preferred proposal was a Kent and Medway Local Enterprise Partnership and circulate the letter that has already been sent by Kent MPs to the Committee;

b)  That the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Fran Wilson write to the Business Secretary, Vince Cable to express the  support for a Kent and Medway Local Enterprise Partnership;

c)  The Leader ensures that Maidstone is well placed by engaging with the LEP for Kent and identifying clearly the plans for economic development in Maidstone assisted by a practical workshop for Members  to look at business and economic development in Maidstone;

d)  progress reports be received on the progression of the proposals and LEPs in general and wider local economic development initiatives, especially in relation to the evolution of new green technology businesses as details become available; and

e)  Maidstone Borough Council is pro-active in building partnership to deliver and grow local green businesses and technologies.