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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

CABINET

10 AUGUST 2011

REPORT OF THE LEADER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Report prepared by Angela Woodhouse

1.           Response to Vision for Kent Consultation

1.1        Issue for Decision

1.1.1   Cabinet are requested to review and agree the proposed response to the Vision for Kent Consultation

1.2        Recommendation of the Leader of the Council

1.2.1   That Cabinet approves the response to the Vision for Kent Consultation attached at Appendix A.

1.3        Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1   The Vision for Kent has been drafted by the Kent Forum a partnership of all councils across Kent. The Vision is an overarching statement of priorities for the County for the next ten years (see Appendix B). The priorities have been grouped under three ambitions for the County of Kent:

1.   Grow the Kent Economy

2.   Tackle Disadvantage

3.   Put the citizen in control

1.3.2  Maidstone Borough Council has set the following priorities:

1.   For Maidstone to have a growing economy

2.   For Maidstone to be a decent place to live

3.   Corporate and Customer Excellence

1.3.2   There is clearly alignment between the Vision for Kent and our own priorities in broad terms we support the ambitions for Kent as set out in the vision. Kent are seeking to support business, improve skills and ensure that there are good jobs and provide apprenticeships and training this concurs with our own priority outcome to have a growing economy with rising employment and our commitment to economic development. The priority to tackle disadvantage in Kent is mirrored by the outcome we are seeking on reducing deprivation.  The third priority compliments our commitment to corporate and customer excellence and service design principles to put the customer first.

1.3.3   It has been identified that the ambitions will be delivered through three Ambition Boards - multi agency groups focused on addressing the vision for Kent. Maidstone plays a role on two of the ambition boards, the Chief Executive on the Tackling Disadvantage Ambition Board and the Leader on the Grow the Kent Economy Ambition Board.

1.3.4   The consultation has outlined 6 questions to be responded to; these are concerned with identifying the top two actions to achieve each ambition and then a general question for each ambition on further work that could be carried out. The suggested response (see Appendix A) takes into account the Council’s own Strategic Plan and corporate priorities and outcomes.

1.4        Alternative Action and why not Recommended

1.4.1   The Cabinet could choose not to respond to the consultation, however this would mean missing the opportunity to further inform the vision for the County and represent the views of Maidstone residents.

1.5        Impact on Corporate Objectives

1.5.1   The Vision for Kent impacts on all three of our corporate priorities.

1.6        Risk Management

1.6.1   No risk has been identified with this decision

1.7        Other Implications

1.7.1    

1.8        Relevant Documents

1.8.1   Appendices

Appendix A, Council Response to Vision for Kent

Appendix B, Vision for Kent

1.8.2   Background Documents

IS THIS A KEY DECISION REPORT? x     Yes                                               No     If yes, when did it first appear in the Forward Plan?   ..     This is a Key Decision because: ..   .       Wards/Parishes affected: ..   ..