Romney Marsh Partnership
‘The work of the Romney Marsh Partnership is vital to securing a better quality of life for everyone who lives in, works in, or visits this very special area. The creation of a strengthened, and sustainable local economy through the delivery, or applied support, of a range of key regeneration projects is the Partnership’s key objective and it will remain so for many years to come.’
Cllr Patricia Rolfe
Chair of the Romney Marsh Partnership
Established in 2012, the Romney Marsh Partnership (RMP) was formed to develop and lead the delivery of a Romney Marsh Socio-Economic Plan: an economic strategy targeted at mitigating the negative consequences of the decommissioning of the local nuclear power station operated by Magnox Ltd (Dungeness A), and in recognition of the area’s historic economic reliance on the nuclear sector. The announcement that the nuclear power station managed by EDF Energy Ltd and known as Dungeness B has stopped operating, and is entering the early stages of de-fuelling further highlights the importance of the RMP’s key objective.
Acknowledging these, and other ongoing challenges, the Partnership aims to secure a stronger economic future and improved quality of life for the Romney Marsh and the people who live, work and visit the locality. The Romney Marsh area overseen by the RMP is administered by three Local Authority Districts: Ashford, Folkestone & Hythe and Rother.
The Romney Marsh Partnership currently comprises representatives from three local District authorities of Folkestone & Hythe, Ashford and Rother, supported by input from representatives from Kent and East Sussex County Councils. Other key stakeholders include Magnox Ltd, EDF Energy Ltd, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Dungeness Site Stakeholders Group, The Marsh Academy, Romney Resource Centre, Rye Partnership, Visit Kent, EKC Group representatives from Ashford and Folkestone Colleges, Lydd (London Ashford) Airport, Bretts Group, Action with Communities in Rural Kent and the Kent Chamber of Commerce.
With no nuclear power stations now in operation in the area, the work of the Partnership has gained further importance given its role in the development of a sustainable economic strategy for the Romney Marsh. The RMP works to address current and future challenges whilst aiming to capitalise upon a range of opportunities for growth and improvement across the area so that the Romney Marsh continues to be a vibrant place to live, work, and visit.
With regards to the future economic strategy for the Romney Marsh, the RMP has identified five works “Pillars” which will form the focus of future activities:
1. Maximise opportunities in the nuclear, tourism, and high-value sectors.
2. Improve accessibility to enable a better workforce and community mobility.
3. Encourage and support business development.
4. Realise the workforce potential through skills development.
5. Enhance infrastructure.
For further details on the Romney Marsh Partnership please visit the RMP website.
For information regarding the work of the Romney Marsh Partnership please email Linda Marsh, the RMP’s Senior Specialist Co-ordinator at Folkestone & Hythe District Council.
Romney Marsh Socio-Economic Plan - Extract on Tourism
The Romney Marsh Partnership (RMP) is tasked in Romney Marsh Socio-Economic Plan to develop a Romney Marsh Visitor Brand to promote Romney Marsh as a single visitor destination.
Why Do We Need a Romney Marsh Brand?
The RMP has developed a barnd toolkit for the Romney Marsh tourism industry (and supporting stakeholders) to help provide ideas for their bespoke marketing campaigns. Romney Marsh tourism businesses are already involved in a Destination Maanagement Plan that is encouraging consistency of messages across all visitor touch points. It is believe that co-ordinated repetition of these core messages will help promote a positive, credible image for Romney Marsh and differentiate us from our competitor destinations and increase a greater awareness and so lead to more visitors.
New Romney Marsh Branding
How To Use The Romney Marsh Brand?
- To find out more about the Romney Marsh brand, please contact the Romney Marsh Partnership Co-Ordinator, Tess Luetchford.
- You can view and download the Romney Marsh Brand Guidelines/Toolkit
Shepway Economic Development Strategy 2015 - 2020
This Strategy launched in April 2015 sets out Shepway District Council's ambitions for economic growth in Shepway over the next five years. It shows how they and their partners will deliver the Council’s Corporate Plan vision of Shepway being “Prosperous and Ambitious – Working for more jobs and homes in an attractive district”. The key priority is to “Boost the local economy and increase job opportunities” through four priorities for action:
- building on our current and emerging economic strengths
- boosting productivity and supporting business growth
- promoting further investment by maximising the value of our assets and stimulating confidence
- improving education and skills
The Strategy focuses on those things with the greatest transformational impact, including the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors on Romney Marsh.
Read the full report Shepway Economic Development Strategy 2015- 2020
