Thanet's Economy: Project Progress

Key

	All project milestones met.
	Project underway but no milestones due.
	Majority of project milestones met.
	Project off track milestones have not been met.

Ref	Description	Project completion year	Project Progress for 07/08
1	Develop key industrial and employment sites at Eurokent, Manston, Thanet Reach and the Marlowe Innovation Centre; support the development of Kent International Airport	Year 4, 2011	Construction of employment units on Eurokent underway and on schedule. Marketing of employment uses commencing. Partnership with KCC (East Kent Opportunities) formalised. Planning Application for China Gateway Phase 1 received, and out to public consult
2	Develop grant funding package with SEEDA and Locate in Kent for firms seeking to invest in Thanet	Year 1, 2008	A 3 year programme of rolling funding is now in place
3	Support the creative, cultural and tourism economy by:
3a)	Establishing an annual Thanet Festival programme	Year 4, 2011	The grant application process has been completed with awards having been made to over seventy local organisations – totalling £180,000.
3b	Supporting at least 20 public events per year to include the Powerboat Grand Prix, Broadstairs Folk Week and the Margate Big Event	Year 4, 2011
3c)	Maintaining Blue Flag status for seven beaches	Year 4, 2011	Ten blue flag applications have been submitted but results will not be formally announced until May 2008. Successful outcome expected from all applications.
3d)	Improving 215 listed buildings in the Ramsgate Townscape Heritage	Year 4, 2011	Project officer now in place – 6 month consultancy agreed with HLF. Monies being spent on grant scheme along entire seafront.
3e)	Maximising opportunities arising from the 2012 Olympics by working with Kent County Council	Year 4, 2011	DCMS Strategy now published which is leading to redraft of Kent’s overall strategy. Project Team meetings take place and a meeting planned for 15^th April. Main project plan to be complete by June 2008.
3f)	Promoting a ‘café culture’ through planning and licensing policies	Year 4, 2011	Planning and licensing policies are aligned and are supportive of the principle of a café culture. A meeting is scheduled with traders for March to discuss utilisation of the Piazza at Harbour Parade, Margate.
4	Implement our vision for Westwood by supporting:
4a)	The proposed relocation of Thanet College	Year 3, 2010	Outline Planning Approval granted for new College. Negotiations underway re existing site future, its redevelopment essential to funding the new College.
4b)	The construction of 300 new homes and community facilities by 2011	Year 4, 2011	Outline approval granted Westwood Town Centre Extension S106 agreed. Meetings on phase 1 scheduling.
4c)	Delivery of 2km road improvements to improve traffic circulation	Year 4, 2011	Eurokent road under construction. Also improvements at Westwood Cross Roundabout.
5)	Diversify the Port of Ramsgate by:
5a)	Achieving signed agreements for the operation and maintenance base for wind farms	Year 3, 2010	Ongoing discussions with wind farm developers.
5b)	Review the strategic future of the Port of Ramsgate to achieve commercial diversification, capital investment and maintain a strong revenue stream for the Council	Year 2, 2009	The Municipal Ports Review paper was drafted and discussed in cabinet on 11 December. The inaugural meeting of the Cabinet Advisory group has been held and Cllr Bayford is the Chairperson.
5c)	Providing fish landing/market/restaurant facilities	Year 4, 2011	Currently in formal discussions to identify possible funding.
6)	Regenerate Margate by:
6a)	preparing for the opening of Turner Contemporary by supporting Kent County Council	Year 4, 2011	Permission granted February by Planning Committee
6b)	Securing planning permission to redevelop the former Marks and Spencer building	Year 1, 2008	Submissions on expressions of interest being evaluated. Research underway, accommodation for artist studio, adjacent Margate Old Town.
6c)	Supporting the Margate Theatre Royal Trust to prepare a Heritage Lottery bid for the country’s second oldest theatre	Year 4, 2011	Being addressed in context of the lease to the Theatre Royal Trust.
6d)	Working with the owners of Dreamland and Arlington Square to agree plans for regenerating the site	Year 2, 2009	Full Council February 2008, agreed Dreamland Planning Brief. Decision taken in Council to prepare Arlington Estate brief, work on draft approaching completion. Target for adoption December 2008.
6e)	Deliver programme of improvements in the Old Town to include: restoration of the harbour arm; development of key sites and the installation of new lighting and CCTV	Year 3, 2010	Permission granted February by Planning Committee, work on site.
7	Use technology to promote awareness of Thanet as a destination	Year 4, 2011	Achieved July 07 plus two micro sites completed for Thanet Greeters and Viking Coastal Trail. Use of sites is being monitored to inform changes to sites.
	In addition:
	Review and revise the Asset Management Strategy to align it with the medium term financial strategy and capital programme		New strategy for 2007/11 agreed by Council, on recommendation of Cabinet and with considerable input from Overview and Scrutiny. Potential disposals for 2008/09 brought forward for consultation.

Next: Thanet's Economy: Targets for future years

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