BUSINESS and civic chiefs have spelt out nine priorities - "big elephants" - they say are vital to the future prosperity of people in Kent and Medway. More than 200 attended a high-powered conference to debate an economic blueprint hammered out by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

The so-called regional economic strategy (RES) will drive Government investment in the area over the next few years. But before it is fixed, local decision-makers were asked to let SEEDA, which has an office in Chatham Maritime, know what they thought about it. Sir Graeme Odgers, chairman of the Kent and Medway Economic Board, said there had been "a fair degree of consensus." The board set 20 economic priorities, but whittled them down to nine. He called them "big elephants," saying that if they were not implemented, the county would suffer in the years to come. The big elephants are: learning, skills and enterprise; transport; broadband communications; inward investment, tourism; town centre regeneration; culture; developments in deprived areas such as Thanet and Shepway; and the development of Medway Waterfront, Ebbsfleet (between Gravesham and Dartford) and the Port of Dover. Sir Graeme said he was satisfied that SEEDA had taken note of these "elephants." "It's a formidable list but all are absolutely vital and SEEDA needs to be involved," he said. "I hope SEEDA took all of these things on board." He was confident they would all find their way into the final strategy published in October. But he conceded some were challenging, with transport improvements the most difficult. He said the Channel Tunnel Rail Link was "a huge bright star on the horizon" but the transport needs of Kent and Medway were "complex and enormous in terms of their cost implications”. The big elephants would make Kent and Medway a powerful regional player, and shift emphasis from the overheated West of London to the East. "These are fantastic times for Kent and Medway and I believe we're putting our best feet forward,” said Sir Graeme. “There's a bit of catching up to do but the opportunities are there and certainly the next 10 years are absolutely crucial. The county is really special already but it will be even more special in 10 years' time." SEEDA's chief executive Anthony Dunnett said: "We are delighted with the outstanding demonstration of support and interest for the review of the RES shown by the people of Kent and Medway. "It is only with the wholehearted commitment of the region that we can take the South East forward achieving our objective of sustainable economic growth bringing improved quality of life for all."