URL: https://democracy.kent.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3011

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Reason for the decision: KCC was required by the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) to coordinate the development of the Get Kent & Medway Working Plan to support the government’s ambitions set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper (November 2024).   Background: Local Get Britain Working Plans focus on health, economic inactivity (unemployment) and skills. They include an analysis of the economic inactivity challenge locally, an overview of current service provision and gaps in these areas and a short- and longer-term action plan to improve health, skills and employment outcomes for the local population and local employers to support an enhanced quality of life and local economy. The Kent & Medway Plan needs to be finalised in July 2025 and formally signed off by KCC, Medway Council, the Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board and Jobcentre Plus with endorsement from wider partners and stakeholders.   Alignment to Local Strategic Priorities: The plan adheres KCC’s to Securing Kent’s Future’s requirement for full cost recovery given that its development was supported by a DWP grant for this purpose. The plan builds on, encompasses and supports ambitions in the Kent & Medway Economic Framework, Framing Kent’s Future, the Integrated Kent & Medway Integrated Work & Health Strategy, Local Skills Improvement Plan and the Integrated Care Strategy, all of which include elements to support people into work and training, develop the local workforce and ensure that employers have access to people with the right skills.   Other options considered but discarded Do nothing: (discounted). It is a government commitment to have a Get Brittan Working Plan and therefore the Department for Work & Pensions wrote to Kent County Council (KCC) on 28 February requiring the Council to lead the development of the Get Kent & Medway Working Plan.  

Content: Reason for the decision: KCC was required by the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) to coordinate the development of the Get Kent & Medway Working Plan to support the government’s ambitions set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper (November 2024).   Background: Local Get Britain Working Plans focus on health, economic inactivity (unemployment) and skills. They include an analysis of the economic inactivity challenge locally, an overview of current service provision and gaps in these areas and a short- and longer-term action plan to improve health, skills and employment outcomes for the local population and local employers to support an enhanced quality of life and local economy. The Kent & Medway Plan needs to be finalised in July 2025 and formally signed off by KCC, Medway Council, the Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board and Jobcentre Plus with endorsement from wider partners and stakeholders.   Alignment to Local Strategic Priorities: The plan adheres KCC’s to Securing Kent’s Future’s requirement for full cost recovery given that its development was supported by a DWP grant for this purpose. The plan builds on, encompasses and supports ambitions in the Kent & Medway Economic Framework, Framing Kent’s Future, the Integrated Kent & Medway Integrated Work & Health Strategy, Local Skills Improvement Plan and the Integrated Care Strategy, all of which include elements to support people into work and training, develop the local workforce and ensure that employers have access to people with the right skills.   Other options considered but discarded Do nothing: (discounted). It is a government commitment to have a Get Brittan Working Plan and therefore the Department for Work & Pensions wrote to Kent County Council (KCC) on 28 February requiring the Council to lead the development of the Get Kent & Medway Working Plan.   As Cabinet Member for Economic Development & Coastal Regeneration I agree to:   APPROVE and ADOPT the Get Kent and Medway Working Plan on behalf of Kent County Council. Other partner organisations (Medway Council, the Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board and Jobcentre Plus) will also be taking the Plan through their own approval processes.   DELEGATE authority to the Director of Growth & Communities in consultation with the Director for Public Health; Corporate Director for Children, Young People & Education; Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration; Cabinet Member for Social Care & Public Health; and Cabinet Member for Education & Skills to sign off the final plan.   DELEGATE authority to the Director of Growth & Communities in consultation with the Director for Public Health; Corporate Director for Children, Young People & Education; the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration; Cabinet Member for Social Care & Public Health; and Cabinet Member for Education & Skills to refresh and/or make revisions to the Plan as appropriate during the lifetime of the plan   DELEGATE authority to the Director Growth & Communities in consultation with the Director for Public Health, and Corporate Director for Children, Young People & Education to take relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of, and entering into required contract or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision

Date of Decision: August 11, 2025