Ashford Town Centre Partnership scrapped
Council funding has been withdrawn from Ashford's Town
Centre Partnership to pay for a new Town Team manager.
Ashford Borough Council announced its decision yesterday
(Wednesday)
to redirect the money to the Town Team, created as part of
the Portas
Pilot project bid in 2012.
The new £35,088 appointment is currently being advertised
by ABC as a
high level role that will provide strategic support
specifically for projects that boost and benefit Ashford town
centre’s economy.
David Church, chair of the Town Centre Partnership, said of the
decision: “This is not a time for town centres to stand still, with
the ever changing economic environment that high streets are
working in.
"It is critical that in these times of austerity, we make
strategic
investments in our town’s long term future and that
businesses have a
stronger voice in influencing positive changes within their
town centre.”
The new full time manager’s role will be focused on providing
expertise and strategic support for the Town Team, and will be
funded solely by Ashford Borough Council and not from the Portas
Pilot funding pot.
ABC lead member for economic development Cllr Graham
Galpin added:
“While we are sad to hear of the closure of the TCP, this is
not the end of an era but the start of a new one.
“Directing this kind of resource into a new structure for the
town centre’s development is a big step forward, and we are pleased
that local business representatives are on board with these
exciting changes.”
For the full story, see next week’s Kentish
Express
14/02/13
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