Shepway Economic Regeneration Partnership - Sharing in success
Key figures in Shepway’s Economic Regeneration Partnership (SERP) have given a ‘thumbs up’ to the new District-wide Community Plan entitled ‘Sharing in Success’.
Following months of consultation with local public sector bodies including the local Authority, Kent County Council, Primary Care Trust and Kent Police, SERP has agreed to work with local businesses on shaping the future of the District.
SERPs initial role is to develop a comprehensive economic strategy to address all the key issues, which face the District, but they will also be analysing job prospects across the District and addressing the skills shortages that continue to exist in many sectors.
Peter Hobbs, Chief Executive of Channel Chamber of Commerce and one of the Main SERP partners has already started working on the new economic plan with officers at the District Council and is insistent that the agreed July deadline will be met: " It is business that drives economic growth and it's therefore appropriate that we give our local companies the opportunity to contribute to their own future. I'm confident that with three months ahead of us we can offer a wealth of ideas, skills and perspectives to our forthcoming regeneration plans. Quite separately we also need to embrace a promotional/inward investment plan that effectively provides us with a new image and marketing brand for Folkestone and the surrounding district."
Philip Carter, Chairman of SERP was also delighted with the prospects that businesses will have this unique opportunity to drive Shepway's economy into gear. "Today's launch of the new Shepway Community Plan should give a much needed boost to everyone involved in the District's future.
SERP has the responsibility and is dedicated to producing this new masterplan that will help to transform Shepway into a more prosperous, and vibrant economy. So much is now happening here in Folkestone with the opening of our new Town Centre, a new University campus and new Academy all before the end of the year .
The new M20 motorway service station at junction 11.is also progressing rapidly And of course we are eagerly awaiting news of the Airport's recent planning application to see if their exciting plans will be realised"
Source: Yourcounty - The Kent website
