Content

(Report of Chief
Executive)
 
An update on delivery
during Year 1 of the Tonbridge and Malling UK Shared Prosperity
Fund (UKSPF) Programme, including Rural England Prosperity Fund
(REPF), was provided in 1.2 of the report.  Upcoming initiatives for Year 2 were also
highlighted at 1.3 of the report.
 
Particular
reference was made to the establishment of a West Kent Rural Grants
Programme, using the REPF funding previously secured.  As part of this programme, all funding allocated
to the Borough Council would be ring fenced for projects within the
borough. Rural Businesses and Communities would be able to apply
for capital grants of up to £25,000.  Details of the decision making process was
outlined in 1.3.4 of the report. 
However it was proposed that a Cabinet Member representative from
each  West Kent local authority be part
of a West Kent Rural Grants Programme Panel assessing
applications.
 
Finally, Cabinet
had regard to the risk assessment for the programme which
identified a number of potential hazards and control measures to
mitigate their impact.  The risk
assessment was provided at Appendix 2.
 

RESOLVED:  That
 
(1)            
the report be noted;

 
(2)            
the delegation of decision-making powers to the West Kent Rural
Grants Programme Panel, as set out in 1.3.4, be agreed;
 
(3)            
the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Regeneration and Property be
agreed as the representative for the Borough Council on the West
Kent Rural Grants Programme Panel; and
 
(4)            
the risk assessment for the UKSPF Programme as set out in Appendix
2 be endorsed.