Issue - meetings

This report seeks agreement forFolkestone & Hythe District Council to make use of unallocated reserves from the Marsh Million Fund towards the development of a business grant scheme. This proposal will support the take-up of space within the Romney Marsh Business Hub and is to be launched in September 2021.

The report sought agreement forFolkestone & Hythe District Council to make use of unallocated reserves from the Marsh Million Fund towards the development of a business grant scheme. This proposal will support the take-up of space within the Romney Marsh Business Hub and is to be launched in September 2021.

Proposed by Councillor Wimble,

Seconded by Councillor Collier; and

RESOLVED:

1.        That report C/21/23 be received and noted.

2.        That unallocated reserves from the Marsh Million Fund be used to implement a business grant scheme to encourage take- up of space within the RMBH and also potentially for the take-up of the stage 2 development.

3.        That decisions on applications for the RMBH grant scheme be delegated to a subgroup of the Romney Marsh Partnership Board which will chaired by the Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for the Local Economy.

(Voting figures: 9 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The completion of Romney Marsh Business Hub (RMBH) at Mountfield Road is due for completion in December 2021 and progress is going well. This will meet the needs of local businesses to help diversify the local economy and create new employment in New Romney. It is proposed that a business grant scheme is implemented to attract businesses to take-up space within the hub and also, potentially later with the stage 2 development of the site in due course.