ECONOMIC & COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO
PRIORITIES 2013/14
To take the lead within the Cabinet for ensuring that the Council delivers its strategic objective for Maidstone to have a growing economy with a range of employment and business opportunities .
Strategic Planning - to oversee the development, review and implementation of the Council’s:
- Economic Development Strategy
- Regeneration Statement
- Commercial Services Development
Performance Management - to ensure excellent standards of performance and improvement with respect to the Council’s services for:
- Economic Development.
- The Visitor Economy including the Hazlitt Arts Centre, Maidstone museums, tourism, the Kent Conference Bureau and Maidstone market.
- Capital projects and programmes relevant to the portfolio including regeneration and public realm improvement schemes.
Climate Change and Sustainability - To oversee the Council’s contribution to securing sustainable construction with respect to development in the borough.
External Affairs and Partnerships
- To represent the Council on all relevant partnerships.
- To foster close links with the business community and develop partnerships to achieve the outcomes identified in the economic development strategy and regeneration statement.
- To foster close links with skills and education providers and with organisations encouraging the visitor economy.
- To take responsibility for relationships with funders including Kent County Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund, service delivery partners including the Chamber of Commerce, Locate in Kent, education and skills providers, voluntary and community groups.