Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Cabinet Members for Economic Development, and Community Services; and the Interim Corporate Director for Growth, Environment and Transport that gives a background to the activity undertaken to develop a Kent Downs and Marshes Leader Programme bid for funding from the Rural Development Programme for England 2014-2020.  It also deals with the opportunity that has arisen to create a new Leader area in East Kent as part of the process which will enable more of the rural parts of the county to benefit from the opportunities provided by external funding.

(Report by Mr M Austerberry, Corporate Director for Growth Environment and Transport)

(Mrs T Bruton, Head of Regeneration Projects, was present for this item)

1.            The Head of Regeneration Projects, Mrs Bruton, introduced a report that gave a background to the activity undertaken to develop a Kent Downs and Marshes LEADER Programme bid for funding from the Rural Development Programme for England 2014-2020.  The report also dealt with the opportunity that had arisen to create a new LEADER area in East Kent as part of the process which will enable more of the rural parts of the county to benefit from the opportunities provided by external funding.

2.            Mr Holden commented that he welcomed the East Kent Programme and the opportunity to cover as much of the existing “white space” as possible.  Mrs Bruton advised that if  all Kent LEADER bids were successful a wider area would be covered leaving a much smaller percentage excluded due to the density and population barrier which was capped at 150,000.

3.            RESOLVED that the Growth, Economic Development and Communities Cabinet Committee endorses the decision to be taken by the Cabinet Member, Economic Development for KCC to remain the accountable body for Kent Downs and Marshes Leader for the new Programme period ending in 2020 and also takes on this function for East Kent Leader.  This would enable both Leader groups to have one administrative team looking after both and a sharing of back office functions, resulting in efficiencies and reduced staff costs.