The
Chief Executive introduced a proposal to join the Thames Gateway
Kent Partnership to the Committee. The Chief Executive explained
that the benefits to joining the partnership were:
·
Giving Maidstone a stronger voice and more regular
access to Ministers and Senior Civil Servants, allowing for greater
advocacy for the economic interests of the borough.
·
There may be a possibility for MBC to nominate a
business representative on the board, as there was a vacant
seat.
·
The partnership had early access to, and was better
informed of, central government initiatives and policies.
·
The partnership had an earlier insight into bidding
opportunities, and could provide greater support and guidance in
drafting and submitting funding bids.
In
response to a question from the Committee, the Chief Executive
explained that there were a lot of similarities economically with
the other Districts in the Thames Gateway Kent Partnership. This
included travel to work patterns, employment levels, average
earnings, skill levels and training provision.
The
Chief Executive explained to the Committee that the membership of
the Partnership would initially be for two years, and after that a
review would be carried out to determine the impact and
effectiveness of the Council’s membership.
RESOLVED:
1.
That the invitation to join the Thames Gateway Kent
Partnership is accepted.
2.
That Maidstone Borough Council will be represented
on the Thames Gateway Partnership Board by the Chairman of Policy
and Resources Committee, with the Vice Chairman as the
substitute.
Voting: For -
11
Against - 4
Abstentions – 0