IMPROVING links with businesses and promoting Medway's attractions are on the agenda for a meeting in Strood this week.

The Regeneration and Community Overview and Scrutiny committee will be reviewing existing services in Medway and how they are promoted. Members will also discuss the emerging needs of the business community and customers and highlight the current structure of support services for both.

The committee will discuss ways to help businesses succeed past 12 months, when 80 per cent fail. The committee will also discuss how to make businesses aware of grants, loans, training schemes and help available to them to help them succeed.

A survey has shown nearly three quarters of businesses in Medway are unaware of the services available to them. During the last 12 months, seven businesses in Medway have been helped, with £459,000 spent to help them.

Council grants and loans totalling £80,000 have been spent, in addition to investments from banks. Thirty new positions have been filled from a possible 56 available.

Since 1997 the total number of jobs created is 253, at 51 new businesses. Members will consider ways to work more closely with businesses, including meeting them, organising exhibitions and setting up an award scheme.

The meeting is at the Civic Centre, Strood, on Wednesday at 7pm.