Kent - Planning for the Future.
Community Art Talk by Pete Raine.
KCC’s Managing Director of Environment and
Regeneration.
On the 28th of June 2006 member and guests were enlightened
and entertained by Pete. The speaker and the subject matter attracted guest
Alistair Stewart Chief Executive of Shepway District Council and KCC Councillors
Roland Tolputt and Dick Pascoe with a number of Folkestone town councillors
joining Go Folkestone members
The talk covered the issues that Pete in his role has to consider for the future
development of our county, informing us of changes in demographics, industries
and employment, schooling, waste management and housing across this large and
varied county.
Pete previously worked for Kent Wildlife and is very aware of environmental
issues but at the same time has to foster an economic climate conducive to
encouraging new businesses to the area, and the development of Lydd and Manston
airports has to be considered. A hundred years ago we had agriculture, fishing,
coal mining, a paper industry but as these have declined or gone new employment
opportunities are needed. Kent currently does not have a very good rate of new
business start ups and how to change that is a part of KCC’s remit.
Kent although large and well populated does not have any major cities, rather a
number of growing market towns and the development of the Thames gateway area in
the north of the county
It is a major transport route, which I am sure we are all aware of and the
strains that can put on local communities when motorways grind to a halt.
Schools numbers are not likely to change much. However, many are in the wrong
place, and while some will close, new ones will be needed in population growth
areas.
These and many other issues were addressed, and after a question and answer
session thanks were given and we decamped to the bar for cooling drinks.
Click here to view the slides.
Valerie Brasington
Chair
Arts Committee
Go Folkestone
Article from Go Folkestone Newsletter September 2006
