URL: https://democracy.kent.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3035

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Proposed decision   Reinstate a Visitor Economy and Inward Investment Service for Kent & Medway, specifically   a)    APPROVE the establishment of a new in-house provision model to deliver Brand Kent (visitor economy and inward investment) services, following the cessation of previous external arrangements.   b)    APPROVE the redirection of the Kent County Council (KCC) budget remaining for the 2024–25 visitor economy and inward investment contracts (approximately £180,000) to support the implementation of the new in-house provision.   c)    APPROVE the planned allocation of £500,000 from the 2026–27 budget, subject to full approval at County Council in February 2026, to sustain and expand the in-house service model.   d)    DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration, to design and implement the final service delivery model, including recruitment and integration of services within existing council structures.   e)    DELEGATE authority to the Director of Growth & Communities to take all necessary actions, including finalising terms and entering into required contracts or legal agreements, to implement the decision     Reason for the decision Visit Kent and Locate in Kent ceased trading in September 2025. Kent County Council (KCC) & Medway Council are proposing a new delivery model consisting of a single in-house team supported by commissioned activities where required to deliver critical services to support the local visitor economy and attract inward investment to the county. The new services will ensure that the county does not get left behind and lose out to neighbouring areas in the run up to Local Government Reorganisation while preparing a model that aligns with future Devolution arrangements.   Reason for Urgency Following the commencement of the liquidation process for both organisations in Kent, it has become clear that the tourism industry, key businesses, partners and stakeholders are looking to KCC, and Medway Council, to take a lead on finding a practical solution to support ongoing service delivery in Kent & Medway. Swift restoration of the service is critical to ensure that the county does not get left behind in this important area of work. Following discussions which have considered industry insight, this urgent decision will ensure that a level of ‘Destination Management Organisation’ service and Inward Investment activity can continue in Kent & Medway.   Given financial pressures facing both authorities, immediate work must focus on considering what provision is essential for the area making use of budgets that were previously allocated to the contracts with Visit and Locate in Kent.   Background Visit Kent (VK) and Locate in Kent (LiK) were contracted by Kent County Council supported by a financial contribution from Medway Council to lead a range of ‘brand Kent’ activities to support the county’s visitor economy and attract inward (business) investment. Both organisations have faced financial challenges with Visit Kent ceasing trading as of 3 September 2025 and Locate in Kent planning a winding down of operations from mid-September.   Many areas in the UK, and internationally, choose to deliver or invest in services that promote a place and its visitor offer as well as attracting businesses to establish a base.  Kent & Medway is competing as an area both domestically and internationally with other counties and regions to secure visitors who spend money in the local economy and to attract new businesses to the area to provide employment opportunities for local people and supply chain opportunities for local firms. LiK and VK were well-known organisations and had become the ‘go-to’ entities for businesses, stakeholders, partners and residents wishing to find out about opportunities to visit or invest in Kent & Medway. Many areas in the UK offer similar services due to the economic benefits they bring about and any break in service leaves a significant gap in the county’s economic development landscape, causes reputational damage for the area and affects business confidence. Many areas are bringing these services in house to ensure strategic alignment with moves towards devolution given the clear links to responsibilities to be allocated to Mayoral Strategic Authorities.   Following the announcements about VK and LIK, KCC and Medway Council have undertaken internal discussions, considered feedback on what other areas offer/commission as services and considered the views of the local industry and key partners and stakeholders. KCC and Medway Council have concluded which services are those that should be prioritised to meet the needs of the Visitor Economy sector and ensure that the area remains open for new and expanding business   Options Appraisal:   Other options which were considered but discounted included completely ceasing financial support for these services, re-procuring these services, or creating separate services at a smaller geographical level.   Alignment with KCC priorities and strategies:   The continuation of visitor economy and inward investment services support the objective to ‘support local businesses to attract investment and create job opportunities for people in Kent’ and ‘tackle inequality in our coastal communities’ through ‘enabling local business to flourish, supporting economic growth and jobs’ as well as ‘supporting the regeneration and vibrancy of our high streets.'   Both services will attract national and international investment by promoting Kent’s business and leisure offer supporting economic growth and expansion.   How the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future 2022 -2026: Securing Kents Future - Budget Recovery Strategy.pdf   Review of discretionary expenditure – Following discussion with key partners and stakeholders, it was concluded, KCC and MC are best placed to deliver these Kent-wide services.  As part of these discussions, the current service offer has been reviewed and prioritised to ensure they directly support the outcomes for Kent’s residents and business communities that the Council is seeking to achieve.  

Content: Proposed decision   Reinstate a Visitor Economy and Inward Investment Service for Kent & Medway, specifically   a)    APPROVE the establishment of a new in-house provision model to deliver Brand Kent (visitor economy and inward investment) services, following the cessation of previous external arrangements.   b)    APPROVE the redirection of the Kent County Council (KCC) budget remaining for the 2024–25 visitor economy and inward investment contracts (approximately £180,000) to support the implementation of the new in-house provision.   c)    APPROVE the planned allocation of £500,000 from the 2026–27 budget, subject to full approval at County Council in February 2026, to sustain and expand the in-house service model.   d)    DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration, to design and implement the final service delivery model, including recruitment and integration of services within existing council structures.   e)    DELEGATE authority to the Director of Growth & Communities to take all necessary actions, including finalising terms and entering into required contracts or legal agreements, to implement the decision     Reason for the decision Visit Kent and Locate in Kent ceased trading in September 2025. Kent County Council (KCC) & Medway Council are proposing a new delivery model consisting of a single in-house team supported by commissioned activities where required to deliver critical services to support the local visitor economy and attract inward investment to the county. The new services will ensure that the county does not get left behind and lose out to neighbouring areas in the run up to Local Government Reorganisation while preparing a model that aligns with future Devolution arrangements.   Reason for Urgency Following the commencement of the liquidation process for both organisations in Kent, it has become clear that the tourism industry, key businesses, partners and stakeholders are looking to KCC, and Medway Council, to take a lead on finding a practical solution to support ongoing service delivery in Kent & Medway. Swift restoration of the service is critical to ensure that the county does not get left behind in this important area of work. Following discussions which have considered industry insight, this urgent decision will ensure that a level of ‘Destination Management Organisation’ service and Inward Investment activity can continue in Kent & Medway.   Given financial pressures facing both authorities, immediate work must focus on considering what provision is essential for the area making use of budgets that were previously allocated to the contracts with Visit and Locate in Kent.   Background Visit Kent (VK) and Locate in Kent (LiK) were contracted by Kent County Council supported by a financial contribution from Medway Council to lead a range of ‘brand Kent’ activities to support the county’s visitor economy and attract inward (business) investment. Both organisations have faced financial challenges with Visit Kent ceasing trading as of 3 September 2025 and Locate in Kent planning a winding down of operations from mid-September.   Many areas in the UK, and internationally, choose to deliver or invest in services that promote a place and its visitor offer as well as attracting businesses to establish a base.  Kent & Medway is competing as an area both domestically and internationally with other counties and regions to secure visitors who spend money in the local economy and to attract new businesses to the area to provide employment opportunities for local people and supply chain opportunities for local firms. LiK and VK were well-known organisations and had become the ‘go-to’ entities for businesses, stakeholders, partners and residents wishing to find out about opportunities to visit or invest in Kent & Medway. Many areas in the UK offer similar services due to the economic benefits they bring about and any break in service leaves a significant gap in the county’s economic development landscape, causes reputational damage for the area and affects business confidence. Many areas are bringing these services in house to ensure strategic alignment with moves towards devolution given the clear links to responsibilities to be allocated to Mayoral Strategic Authorities.   Following the announcements about VK and LIK, KCC and Medway Council have undertaken internal discussions, considered feedback on what other areas offer/commission as services and considered the views of the local industry and key partners and stakeholders. KCC and Medway Council have concluded which services are those that should be prioritised to meet the needs of the Visitor Economy sector and ensure that the area remains open for new and expanding business   Options Appraisal:   Other options which were considered but discounted included completely ceasing financial support for these services, re-procuring these services, or creating separate services at a smaller geographical level.   Alignment with KCC priorities and strategies:   The continuation of visitor economy and inward investment services support the objective to ‘support local businesses to attract investment and create job opportunities for people in Kent’ and ‘tackle inequality in our coastal communities’ through ‘enabling local business to flourish, supporting economic growth and jobs’ as well as ‘supporting the regeneration and vibrancy of our high streets.'   Both services will attract national and international investment by promoting Kent’s business and leisure offer supporting economic growth and expansion.   How the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future 2022 -2026: Securing Kents Future - Budget Recovery Strategy.pdf   Review of discretionary expenditure – Following discussion with key partners and stakeholders, it was concluded, KCC and MC are best placed to deliver these Kent-wide services.  As part of these discussions, the current service offer has been reviewed and prioritised to ensure they directly support the outcomes for Kent’s residents and business communities that the Council is seeking to achieve.   As Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration I agree to:   (a)  APPROVE the establishment of a new in-house provision model to deliver Brand Kent (visitor economy and inward investment) services, following the cessation of previous external arrangements.   (b)  APPROVE the redirection of the Kent County Council (KCC) budget remaining for the 2024–25 visitor economy and inward investment contracts (approximately £162,000) to support the implementation of the new in-house provision.   (c)  APPROVE the planned allocation of £405,000 (with total service funding dependant on level of partner contributions) from the 2026–27 budget, subject to full approval at County Council in February 2026, to sustain and expand the in-house service model.   (d)  DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration, to design and implement the final service delivery model, including recruitment and integration of services within existing council structures and manage and determine future funding allocations within the parameters set by the County Council, to ensure its ongoing development and sustainability.   (e)  DELEGATE authority to the Director of Growth & Communities to take all necessary actions, including finalising terms and entering into required contracts or legal agreements, to implement the decision.  

Date of Decision: October 24, 2025