To receive a report from the Leader of the Council on the business of the cabinet and on matters that the leader considers should be drawn to the council’s attention. The leader shall have 10 minutes to make his announcements.
The opposition group will have an opportunity to reply to the leader’s remarks. The opposition group leader shall have 5 minutes to respond after which the Leader of the Council will have a right of reply. Any right of reply will be for a maximum duration of 5 minutes.
Minutes:
The Leader made the following announcements:
“Good evening.
Several members from the Marsh complained to me that we did nothing for them so I would like to take this opportunity to update members on some of the excellent work that this council is carrying out, or in numerous ways is supporting the Romney Marsh.
The council is supporting employment and skills on Romney Marsh in line with the Romney Marsh Socio-economic Deliver Plan 2017-2020 produced for the Romney Marsh Partnership. The key priority within this plan is to develop a business hub and skills centre at Mountfield Road industrial estate and putting in the infrastructure to unlock remaining plots for future business growth. This is also a key priority in the council’s Corporate Plan and officers are working hard on ways to secure funding and feasibility work to bring this project forward.
Earlier this year, the council launched its own £3million High Streets Fund. Details for the scheme will be coming to Cabinet very soon and will include criteria against which bids can be made. This will provide a potential resource to enhance the High Streets in New Romney and Lydd.
The nuclear sector is a major employer on Romney Marsh so as a Council and through the RMP, we work closely with Magnox Ltd, EDF, Dungeness SSH and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and others in the nuclear industry to secure future employment in the nuclear sector and develop skills of local people relevant to the nuclear industry and its supply chain.
Through the RMP FE and Skills Sub Group, we are supporting partnership working to skill/upskill local people and promote the area as a good place to live, work and relocate to. We have been successful in achieving priority status for Romney Marsh from the NDS socio-economic funding scheme and are currently developing a major partnership bid to support further economic development for the area. To maximise future employment in the nuclear sector we are also promoting the case for Dungeness A to be the site for Accelerated Decommissioning which would enable the retention of a significant number of jobs on site for the medium to long term.
We work closely with Romney Resource Centre and via the RMP support new initiatives such as delivery of construction courses, upgrading digital facilities and initiatives to meet the needs of businesses and local people, including returners to work, young people not in education training or employment and older residents wishing to upskill and participate in lifelong learning.
Romney Marsh is a special landscape and environment. We are involved in the new South East Nature Tourism Initiative to promote sustainable tourism year round on Romney Marsh consistent with the SARMS (Sustainable Access and Recreation Management Strategy) report for the area. The initiative will have two nature tourism hubs at Rye Discovery Centre and Romney Marsh Visitor Centre, New Romney. The RMP and FHDC also sit on the 5th continent Project Board and are supporting their green tourism initiatives including new interpretation hubs around the Marsh, new cycle and walking tours, training programme, and promoting the Romney Marsh branding. Wildlife tourism is popular off season so this will help to offer tourism employment out of peak season. We are also working to refresh the Romney Marsh medieval churches tour and support the upgrade of the Royal Military Canal.
The council through RMP is represented at the New Romney Coastal Community Team to ensure a good fit with their priorities for the area. Recently the RMP has commissioned a feasibility study for a local transport scheme to explore getting community transport hopper buses from Romney Marsh to Appledore railway station to connect with Ashford, Rye and Hastings so people can access work and training opportunities. The RMP helps to promote joint working with partners, often the sole forum where they do so. Partners include four local authorities, nuclear industry, education providers and business organisations.
As you can see, there is an enormous amount of good work being carried out by this council on the Romney Marsh and I am happy to commit to continuing to fund all of this work for the duration of our administration.
To change the subject, when we were considering applying for Green Town Status for Otterpool Park, we arranged coach trips to see existing New Towns. As there are now several new members who might like to see what is out there, we will arrange more trips for those who want to go”.
The Leader of the Labour group responded and stated that it was good to see the Marsh was still in the picture in terms of strengthening the district. He looked forward to following the High Street Fund through Cabinet, and hoped it would be used wisely to improve high streets across the entire district. Green tourism initiatives were welcomed and he would also like to see green thinking applied to all aspects of the council. He worried for the vulnerable residents of the marsh in terms of transport. A similar scheme had been trialled in Ashford and failed. He would like to see a more in-depth proposal and feasibility study results. He would like to see more community run transport in the area to fill the gaps left by Stagecoach, and a stronger message to them should come from the Council Chamber.
Thank you for your invitation to visit garden towns – happy to visit if it our benefits our district. He thanked the Leader for the invitation for a tour of garden villages and stated he was happy to undertake anything which would benefit the district.
The Leader of the Green Group responded and stated that she was also pleased to see what was happening on the Romney Marsh. She stated that if local transport could be improved it was important. She added that she was not keen on the idea of more nuclear job, and would prefer more green energy opportunities. She also was pleased to hear about the High Streets Fund.
The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group waived his right to respond.
The Leader in response stated that he agreed with the points raised.
Proposed by Councillor Monk,
Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and
RESOLVED:
That the announcements of the Leader be noted.