COMMUNITY AND LEISURE SERVICES PORTFOLIO
PRIORITIES 2013-2014
To take the lead within the Cabinet for ensuring that the Council delivers its strategic objectives with respect to Maidstone as a decent place to live and customer excellence particularly that residents are not disadvantaged because of where they live or who they are, vulnerable people are assisted and the level of deprivation is reduced.
Strategic Planning - to oversee the development, review and implementation of the Council’s:
· Housing Strategy
· Community Development Strategy
· Community Safety Strategy
· Safety In Action
· Parks and Open Spaces Strategy
· Compact with the Voluntary and Community Sectors
· Contribution to relevant Community Health strategies and plans
Performance Management - to ensure excellent standards of performance and improvement with respect to the Council’s services for:
· Strategic housing management in consultation with the Strategic Housing Board
· Community Safety in consultation with the Safer Maidstone Partnership
· Community development including oversight of neighbourhood planning
· Parks, open spaces and allotments including grounds maintenance
· Leisure activities including sporting and recreational based activities and including services provided via the Maidstone Leisure Centre
· Community engagement
· Allocation and monitoring of grants
· Capital projects and programmes relevant to the portfolio including environmental improvement schemes
External Affairs and Partnerships
· To represent the Council on all relevant partnerships including the Local Children’s Trust
· To take responsibility for external relationships with parish councils including the parish services scheme
· To take responsibility for relationships with funders including the Homes and Community Agency, service delivery partners including housing providers, voluntary and community groups and trusts including the Maidstone Leisure Trust
· To be responsible for all aspects of Community Engagement