Decision details

(Report of Chief Executive)

The report summarised the progress to date of the District and Local Centres Initiatives which had provided a variety of environmental improvements in retail areas to create a positive and supportive environment for local traders.  The report provided an overview of a proposed 12 month scheme to support Village Stores within the Borough which would include the provision of 1-to-1 guidance and support from a specialist retail advisor through Action with Communities in Rural Kent’s Rural Retail Service.

Following consideration by the Economic Regeneration Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration resolved that:

(1)          the progress to date on the District and Local Retail Centres be noted;

(2)          if there is no evidence of tangible progress on either of the initiatives in Snodland and West Malling by the end of September 2016 at the latest, the proposal to withdraw funding for the current projects be approved; and

(3)          the Village Shops Initiative, as detailed in paragraph 1.3.2 of the report, be approved.