The members of a new Town Deal Board created by Thanet council following an announcement that the town was one of 101 earmarked for a share of a £3.6billion government fund have been revealed.
In September, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) announced Margate was in the running for up to £25million to drive economic development, focusing on urban regeneration, improved transport, better broadband connectivity, skills and culture.
As part of this, the council has set up the new board to set out a vision for the town’s economic growth, coordinate resources and engage with a variety of stakeholders.
The Board will be tasked with producing an evidence based Town Investment Plan by the summer of 2020.
The members are:
- Madeline Homer, Thanet District Council
- Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Thanet District Council
- Sam Causer, Studio Sam Causer
- Liz Shutler, Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother Hospital
- MP Sir Roger Gale
- Graham Razey OBE, East Kent College
- Adam Bryan, South East Local Enterprise Partnership
- Victoria Pomery OBE, Turner Contemporary
- Eddie Kemsley, Dreamland
- Richard Ash, Margate Town Team
- Graham Ralph, Jobcentre Plus
- Kent County Council representatives
- Community representative to be recruited
The Council is currently recruiting for a Chair for the Town Deal Board.
The Board meets for the first time on Friday, March 6 and the agenda and minutes will be published online.
Details also due to be published include the board structure and how capacity funding will be spent.
The Towns Fund is to boost places that have proud industrial and economic heritage but have not always benefited from economic growth in the same way as more prosperous areas.
Communities, businesses and local leaders are expected to create plans to transform economic growth prospects with a focus on improved transport, broadband connectivity, skills and culture.
A public Margate Millions meeting will also be held at Cliftonville Community Centre, St Paul’s Road, Cliftonville, today (February 27) from 7.30pm-9.30pm.
The event is free but has limited capacity. Tickets can be booked at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/margates-millions-tickets-9651…
The Margate Millions event has been organised by A Better Cliftonville, the Grotto Hill Area Street Scheme, the Gordon Road Area Street Scheme, the Athelstan Road Tenants and Residents Association and the Margate Conservation Area Advisory Group.
A statement on behalf of Madeline Homer and council leader Rick Everitt in response to a letter from community groups about the fund says: “We are keen to maximise community involvement and create the most compelling Town Investment Fund possible. We look forward to working with yourselves on plans for long term economic growth.
“Margate has a strong heritage and sense of place which the Board can utilise to help attract business and private investment. Like you, we are keen to ensure that funding is spent in a way that will address growth constraints for the town, thus making a tangible difference to the communities it is intended to benefit.”
