Medway Council is a unitary council responsible for providing services, including education and social services, in Rochester, Strood, Chatham, Gillingham, Rainham, the nearby rural areas and the Hoo Peninsula. Medway is the largest urban area in the south-east outside London. The Medway economy is worth around £2.8billion per year and has more than 13,000 businesses. The population of Medway is more than 250,000 and is expanding to a city of around 300,000 people by 2021. The council also ensures that people comply with regulations, supports business and tourism in Medway and works to include everyone and regenerate the area.