Issue - meetings

Thames Gateway Kent Partnership

Meeting: 13/12/2017 - Policy and Resources Committee (Item 125)

125 Thames Gateway Kent Partnership pdf icon PDF 185 KB

Minutes:

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