AN ANNOUNCEMENT about a technological centre offering more than 700 jobs could be made within a month.

Talks are at a sensitive stage, it was revealed at a Medway Council environment scrutiny meeting in Strood.

Cllr Jane Chitty, strategic planning portfolio holder, said: "I am pretty damned confident we can supply the promised 400 to 700 jobs, and maybe more."

The Conservative councillor declined to say publicly where the centre would be established, but in questioning admitted the idea of an innovation park at Rochester Airport has not been dropped.

She said: "We have been told there is no identifiable market demands for science and technology, but I am reasonably confident over the next few months we could be creating something in terms of a science and technology park.

"It is sensitive at the moment, but I think it will overcome the problems you perceive with Rochester Airport."

Cllr Chitty gave the information while answering questions during an examination of the effectiveness of the council’s strategic planning role, which includes bringing new jobs to the area.

Cllr Bill Davis (Lab) pointed out that in successive plans, a technology park was proposed on the site of the airport.

"Will you be removing it completely from your plans?" he asked.

She replied: "I never chuck anything away."

Cllr Chitty also said Medway has lost 1,500 jobs in recent years – but the council has successfully replaced them.

She said: "Over the last few years we have lost something in the region of 1,500 jobs. However, we have created that many, and also created more on top of that."

She told Tony Luckhurst (Lib Dem) that unemployment figures supported that view.

"We have an extraordinarily good record when it comes to unemployment. Our unemployment figures are exemplary," she said.

Cllr Ken Bamber, the Conservative whip, asked her: "The target for 2004/05 was to create 200 jobs from inward investment. What action is being taken to achieve that target?"

Cllr Chitty replied: "We have hit that target. In 2004/05 it is 256 jobs, last year it was 295 jobs and the year before 806. We are well ahead of the target."