Agenda item

Recovery and Renewal Actions

Minutes:

The Head of Policy, Communications and Governance introduced the report which had been developed following the release of a significant amount of government funding for recovery and renewal. The actions outlined in the report fell within the remit of the Committee, and an amended agenda had been published to include an additional appendix.

 

Jodie Stevens, representing MidKent College, presented the proposal of a skills and community hub to be piloted for six months, using an empty unit in The Mall and enabled by the prospective grant. Care would be taken to complement existing services from partners rather than creating competition. As this would be a new service, there would not be any historical data to aid analysis. However, a target had been set to support five adults per week on short courses, and to engage 25% of the local young people currently not in employment, education or training (NEETs) within the first three months of the pilot, supporting them into education, employment or apprenticeships. It was acknowledged that some outcomes may take longer than six months to present, however the aim would be to track the progress of those supported through the hub over a longer period.

 

The Head of Regeneration and Economic Development added that communication from Kent County Council (KCC) had been received, confirming that they would be supportive of the initiative. It would not duplicate work undertaken currently by KCC, and data showed that there had been a significant reduction in provision for NEETs and young people.

 

In response to questions, Ms Stevens agreed to ensure the wording of the proposal clearly set out that it would be open to adults as well as young people. Marketing via social media and around the town centre was proposed to attract young people to the hub, and work would continue with existing partners to cross-refer into relevant services.

 

The Head of Policy, Communications and Governance confirmed that data could be reported to the Committee to measure the outcomes of the pilot.

 

In response to suggestions that the pilot scheme be extended if successful, the Head of Regeneration and Economic Development advised the Committee to consider the budget allocation at the proposal stage, as the funding may be fully allocated by the time the pilot was reviewed. 

 

In response to questions, the Head of Regeneration and Economic Development agreed that there was often a short turnaround time between funding being released and the deadline for bids to be submitted. Technical support would enable bids to be prepared, including design and planning permission, so that when funding become available the bid would be ready for submission within the timeframe.

 

RESOLVED: That the Committee

 

1.  support the Community and Skills Hub proposal from MidKent College, and recommend to Policy and Resources Committee that £60,000 be allocated to the project subject to a review taking place at four months;

 

2.  endorse the support of the Visitor Economy including retail, hospitality and leisure sectors following the impacts of the pandemic to assist with the return of business as usual;

 

3.  endorse the action to invest in industrial and warehouse premises to help de-risk new employment sites coming forward as this will support the Economic Development Strategy Priority 1 - Open for Business;

 

4.  endorse the capacity to develop projects and bids for bidding through technical support for the levelling up fund; and

 

5.  support the initial concept of the Maidstone Riverside Light Walk to improve links between Archbishops Palace, Lockmeadow and the Town Centre, and recommend to the Policy & Resources Committee that this concept be developed and brought back to this Committee at their meeting on 14 December 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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