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Maidstone Borough Council

Leisure and Prosperity Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Tuesday 22 February 2011

LSP Thematic Quarterly Performance

Report of: Overview and Scrutiny Officer

1.           Introduction

1.1    As part of Leisure and Prosperity Overview & Scrutiny Committees’ remit the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) delivery group for Economic Development and Regeneration is required to provide quarterly performance updates to the Committee.  The Committee will have the opportunity to focus on one-off activities or events, and review governance arrangements. The third quarter report is attached at Appendix A.

1.2    The objectives of this delivery group are set out below;

·         Develop a vibrant economy, create prosperity and opportunities for all;

·         Develop an efficient, sustainable, integrated transport system;

·         Develop the borough’s urban and rural communities as models for 21^st century quality and sustainable living;

·         Provide flexible housing to accommodate changing needs; and

·         Prevent homelessness.

2.      Recommendation

2.1        The Committee is recommended to interview the witnesses giving consideration to the future possibilities to improve schemes and projects within Maidstone and make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Community Services as appropriate.

2.2        Areas of questioning could include but are not limited to:

·         Is there any uncertainty concerning future funding;

·         What monitoring is in place to ensure that the projects are delivered on time and within budget; and

·         What are the plans for the future.

3.      Local Strategic Partnership (LSP)

3.1    The LSP was designed to support Maidstone achieve its aim of making Maidstone a better place in which to live and work. It would do this by being both the LSPs ‘engine room’ and ‘critical friend’ to drive delivery across the partnership.

3.2     The LSP is comprised of members (10-12 members, no more

than 15) and includes organisations such as MBC, Theme Leads,  Primary Care Trust, Police, Fire, KCC, Voluntary and community sector. Maidstone’s LSP has five delivery groups; Health and Wellbeing, Economic Development and Regeneration, Environmental Quality, Safer Maidstone Partnership and Local Children’s Services.

4.      Impact on Corporate Objectives

4.1     The Strategic Plan 2009-12 states that the Council wants Maidstone to be “a place to achieve prosper and thrive; and a place to live and enjoy”.