A Margate Town Deal Board is being created by Thanet council following an announcement that the town was one of 101 earmarked for a share of a £3.6billion government fund.
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 is recruiting a Chairperson for the new board to set out a vision for the town’s economic growth, coordinate resources and engage with a variety of stakeholders.
The Chairperson must bring together a Town Deal Board that represents the community, including business, philanthropists, investors, universities, colleges, the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Jobcentre Plus, civic society and all tiers of local government.
The Board will be tasked with producing an evidence based Town Investment Plan by the summer of 2020.
Cllr Ruth Duckworth (pictured), Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance & Coastal Development at Thanet District Council said: “This marks the next phase of Margate’s regeneration journey. We’ve seen first-hand the transformative impact that investment in culture can bring and we welcome this commitment from the government to help our town thrive.
“The birthplace of the British seaside has undergone a renaissance of late and the town is enjoying a positive perception. This is an important ‘pull’ factor that the Board can utilise when attracting business and private investment. Margate has a strong heritage and sense of place, and benefits from cultural and civic assets which makes the town an attractive place to live, work, visit and invest in. I would encourage anyone who is interested to apply for the position of Chair and help Margate realise its full economic potential.”
The Towns Fund is to boost places that have proud industrial and economic heritage but have not always benefitted from economic growth in the same way as more prosperous areas.
The chairperson job description can be found here.
For those interested in applying, expressions of interest are requested in writing by close of business on Monday, February 10.
Applications should reflect how, and to what extent, all criteria are met. For further information contact Louise Askew, Strategic Partnerships Manager on 01843 577178 or [email protected].
