Ashford EDG May 2026 Minutes

Ashford Economic Development Group – May 2026 minutes

Nettie Buss (AB) – Chair
Lucy Clark (LC)
Phil Galpin (PG)
James McComas (JM)
Katie Hodson (KH)
Tom Shaw-Dunn (TS-D)
Tim Sheppard (TS)
Richard Stafford (RS)
Jason Rainbird (JR)
Dan Sherlock (DS)
Natalie Ward (NW)
Doug Jackson (DJ)
Vernice Lamberton (VL)
Siobhan Matthews (SM)

1. NOTICE AND QUORUM

The chair reported that enough notice of the meeting had been duly given and that a quorum was present. The chair declared that the meeting was open at 8.30am.

2. APPROVAL OF PRIOR MINUTES

Minutes of the board meeting held on 16^th April 2026 had already been approved. The chair had been authorised to sign them as a complete record of the relevant meeting.

3. ANY MATTERS ARISING/PREVIOUS MEETING

Introductions were made by all in attendance and AB welcomed Doug Jackson, who will be joining us to represent the agricultural sector.

Update on LinkedIn AEDG. AB will follow up with JR at a future date.

4. BUSINESS OF THE MEETING

PRESENTATION FROM sm & vl

Siobhan & Vernice are both from The North School and were invited by Jo Brown (EKC) to promote the work that the Schools in the Ashford area are doing together – a full copy of the presentation is attached.

The key points were that they need to work with more employers, the schools are working together to ensure all students are not requesting work experience at the same time and how employers can assist in ways other than work experience.

PG agreed to introduce them to the LSIP team here at the Chamber.

A discussion followed as a Q&A which cemented the feeling that more employers need to be aware of the ‘asks’ that government guidance is putting on to schools to enhance students awareness of the world of work.

BORDER FORCE

TS and PG have arranged a visit – details to be circulated to the board

KATIE LAM MP

AB as emailed Katie’s contact and had a response and will try to co-ordinate a date for a meeting

ASHFORD TOWN CENTRE

A town centre update at the next meeting has been requested of AO.

5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Nothing noted.

See the full report here