Folkestone and Hythe Business Advisory Board
The Folkestone and Hythe Business Advisory Board (SBAB) is a business-led forum established in 2013 to provide the business community with a voice and act as a ‘sounding board’ for local and national policies that aim to encourage economic growth in Folkestone and Hythe.
At each meeting there are regular updates from Board members that are all from key business sectors in the area who share their experiences about current trading conditions. There are also discussions on initiatives that support economic growth and affect the business community. Meetings are chaired by Geoff Miles of Maidstone Studios and also Chairman of Kent and Medway Economic Partnership. They are held bi-monthly, with opportunities to network over a light breakfast beforehand.
The Romney Marsh Partnership
The nuclear sector has been a major strength of the Romney Marsh economy since the 1960s with two power stations located at Dungeness.
EDF Energy’s “B” Station will continue generating until at least 2028, but the Magnox “A“ Station is currently being decommissioning, and this major project is being overseen by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
Decommissioning is a long term process, and can create opportunities for work and local businesses while underway. However, we are also working together to offset any negative impacts that it might bring.
Led by Folkestone & Hythe District Council, and established in 2012 the Romney Marsh Partnership (RMP) aims to strengthen the local economy, bringing together the nuclear sector with local government, business, training and education providers and the third sector.
The RMP area includes parts of the districts of Folkestone & Hythe, Rother and Ashford.
RMP Members include:
- Nuclear – Magnox, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, EDF Energy, Dungeness SSG
- Local Government – Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Ashford Borough Council, Rother District Council, East Sussex and Kent County Councils
- Education – East Kent College, The Marsh Academy, Romney Resource Centre
- Business – Visit Kent, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Bretts, Lydd Airport
- Third Sector – Rural Kent, Kent Wildlife Trust
In addition to an important lobbying role and bringing together key players to identify local needs and plan for the future RMP has been behind many important projects for the Romney Marsh including the recently commenced Romney Marsh Business Hub, which will include a new business centre and 5 hectares of serviced employment land at New Romney.
RMP’s work is guided by its strategy the “Romney Marsh Delivery Plan”. The Delivery Plan will be reviewed during 2021 to take account of the new economic context brought about by Covid and to look forwards to recovery and beyond.
If you would like to know more about the work of the RMP please contact dave.illsley@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk
Folkestone & Hythe District Accelerated Delivery Board
Set up in early 2019, the Accelerated Delivery Board is an association of strategic partners, who agree to work together to ensure delivery of the key projects that make up the district’s regeneration programme and is chaired by Damian Collins MP.
