Appendix Two

GRAVESHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL

Corporate Register of Partnerships December 2012

Extract for the Planning Delivery Committee

A summary of the partnerships the council is involved in as at December 2012 Borough Council - 2 - Register of Partnerships – December 2012 Introduction The council maintains a comprehensive register of its partnerships that is reviewed on an annual basis. The council defines a partnership as “an agreement between the Council and one or more independent bodies to work together to achieve one or more objectives ”. In addition to this, the council also splits the partnership register into ‘Significant’ and ‘Key other partnerships’. In order for a partnership to be classified as significant it must meet the following definition: “a partnership for which there is a council resource provision of £10,000 or greater or one that is fundamental to the delivery of an area of focus within the council’s Corporate Business Plan. Without this effective partnership therefore, the delivery of Gravesham Borough Council’s key areas of focus would not occur”. All of the partnerships listed within this register are as follows: Page Ref. Significant? - 3 - Regeneration Delivery Board - 4 - Gravesend Town Centre Initiative - 6 - Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership - 8 - North West Kent Countryside Partnership - 10 - Thames Gateway Kent Partnership

- 12 - Glossary of Terms Gravesham Borough Council - 3 - Register of Partnerships – December 2012

Name of Partnership Gravesend Regeneration Delivery Board Responsible Officer S Sangha, Assistant Director (Special Projects) Lead Member(s) Councillor John Burden, Leader of the Executive Statutory Status Non-statutory partnership Aims and objectives of Regeneration within Gravesham, with a focus on the Heritage and partnership Transport Quarters Expected outcomes Promotion - and lead where appropriate -of major projects such as the Heritage & Transport Quarters and an enabling role with partners on other major regeneration schemes which include sites such as Clifton Slipways, Hospital ‘M’ Block and the old King Street Cinema site. Links to GBC Key Areas of 14 – Ensuring a sustainable high quality built and green environment and Focus safeguarding our cultural heritage 15 – Working with partners to develop high quality transport infrastructure GBC Resources A budget of £20,000 is available for the Delivery Board in 2012-13. (financial, officer, assets etc) Officer time from the Leader of the Executive, Director (Housing & Regeneration) and Assistant Director. The council does not provide any specific assets to the Partnership Partnership membership Gravesham Borough Council, Kent County Council, Homes & Communities Agency (HCA), a Community Representative, up to three representatives from multiple retailers and one local independent. Governance arrangements The governance arrangements for the partnership are set out in the Gravesham Regeneration Delivery Board Role and Operation. Specifically, the document sets out: • The responsibility of members in representing their organisations and clearly states that no member has any authority to bind the Board or other partners in any way. It also clearly states that each Board member will be accountable to the Board for the delivery of individual projects of their organisation. • The detailed membership of the Board including details of the decision-making process. The document states that it is the intention that the Board will proceed by agreement but where a vote is required, each Board member will have one vote. • The detailed arrangements for the Board in terms of the Chair and Vice-chair, frequency of Board meeting (minimum quarterly) the location of meetings (Gravesham Civic Centre) and that all meetings will be held in private. The document also covers details of the aims of the Board along with key objectives, funding, financial responsibilities and performance monitoring arrangements (detailed below) Financial reporting The finances for the Board are monitored through the council’s financial arrangements and timeframe management system. for reporting Risk Assessment Delivery of regeneration could be at risk without a delivery vehicle such as this. Performance monitoring Projects are monitored through a Risk Register where appropriate. arrangements and details of formal review of partnership arrangements. Date Partnership January 2009 Date Partnership N/A Created / Approved Terminates by Cabinet (if applicable)

Significant partnership Other partnership

Gravesham Borough Council - 4 - Register of Partnerships – December 2012

Name of Partnership Gravesend Town Centre Initiative (TCI) Responsible Officer Simon Hookway, Service Manager (Economic Development) Lead Member (s) Lead: Councillor John Burden, Leader of the Executive Councillor Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi also attends TCI meetings. Statutory Status Non-statutory partnership - the TCI is a ‘sounding board’ of businesses throughout the town. Aims and objectives of Maintaining a healthy town centre economy, together with its partnership physical, environmental and social well-being Expected outcomes Engagement of town centre businesses in improvements in the town centre; co-ordination of town centre activity; a programme of town centre events, including Christmas promotion, Splash of Colour/South & South East in Bloom. Links to GBC Key Areas of 13 – Driving the economic development of the borough Focus GBC Resources • Gravesham Borough Council has a budget of approximately £78,000 (financial, officer, assets etc) each year to spend on initiatives within the town centre. This is a council budget and not a budget for the TCI. This budget is offset by approximately £36,000 in contributions from businesses within the town centre. • Officer time from the, Assistant Director (Special projects), Service Manager (Economic Development) and Town Centre Manager. • There are no shared assets. Partnership membership TCI Sponsors Group - Gravesham Borough Council, St George’s Shopping Centre, Marks & Spencer, Boots The Chemists, McDonalds, St George’s Church, Kent County Council and . In addition, representatives from other businesses within the borough are invited to attend. Governance arrangements The TCI Sponsors Group is chaired by the Assistant Director (Special projects) from Gravesham Borough Council. The TCI Sponsors Group meets at two monthly intervals with meetings being held at TownCentric. Officers from Gravesham Borough Council provide the administrative support to the group (i.e. agenda setting, minute taking etc.). The agendas follow a similar format and cover the following key areas: • Update from businesses on general town centre issues. • Update from Gravesham Borough Council on promotional work and any projects within the town centre. • Community Safety updates for the town centre In addition, specific agencies attend when required to provide presentations on other initiatives that may affect the town centre. Financial reporting The annual budget for the council is agreed through Gravesham Borough arrangements and timeframe Council’s normal budget setting process and monitored accordingly. The for reporting TCI has no decision making powers in terms of how the budget is spend. The council’s overall budget is offset by additional sponsorship income received from the key businesses in the Town Centre (Boots the Chemist, Marks and Spencer and St George’s Shopping Centre). In addition, other contributions are received for specific projects within the town centre throughout the year. The council provides a formal letter to the main sponsors on the achievements and initiatives undertaken by the TCI during the year, in order for the sponsors to then provide their sponsorship money. Risk Assessment Activity and initiatives are highly dependent on sponsorship from town centre businesses; the budget is monitored regularly to ensure that initiatives can take place as required. Gravesham Borough Council - 5 - Register of Partnerships – December 2012 Performance monitoring Performance in respect of the initiatives and projects is monitored and arrangements and details of reported to the TCI Sponsors Group at each meeting. In addition, a formal formal review of partnership letter is sent to each of the main TCI sponsors to highlight achievements arrangements. and initiatives for the year. A formal review of the arrangements for the TCI arrangements would need to take place through Gravesham Borough Council as lead partner in consultation with other partners. Date Partnership Created in the early 1990s. Date Partnership N/A Created / Approved Terminates by Cabinet (if applicable)

Significant partnership Other partnership Gravesham Borough Council - 6 - Register of Partnerships – December 2012

Name of Partnership Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership Responsible Officer Sue Lord, Service Manager (Regeneration and Policy) Lead Member(s) Councillor Lee Croxton, Lead Member for Planning Delivery Statutory Status Statutory Partnership Aims and objectives of To secure the conservation and enhancement of the Kent Downs AONB partnership whilst supporting the social and economic wellbeing of its communities. Objectives: (1) to help realise the strategic vision for the Kent Downs AONB, and to oversee the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan. (2) to provide advice to those of its members with statutory responsibilities for the effective management of the Kent Downs AONB. Expected outcomes (1) a secure and more independent Kent Downs AONB Partnership. (2) a Kent Downs AONB Partnership which is recognised as ‘The Champion’ for the AONB. (3) the delivery of a well-supported Kent Downs AONB Management Plan through partners and focussed Kent Downs AONB led projects. Links to GBC Key Areas of 14 – Ensuring a sustainable high quality built and green environment and Focus safeguarding our cultural heritage GBC has a statutory duty placed upon it to act jointly, in partnership with other local authorities to prepare and review an AONB Management Plan under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. GBC also has a statutory ‘duty of regard’ placed on it towards the purposes of the AONB in all of its functions – the AONB Management Unit assists with this work in partnership with the other member local authorities. GBC Resources Financial: annual contribution of £4,157 (Memorandum of Agreement has (financial, officer, assets etc) agreed 2% inflation each year). This matches all other AONB local authorities and is around 1.4% of the AONB Management Unit’s £300 000 core budget; 75% coming from Natural . Human Resources: 1 officer attendance (twice yearly) at the AONB Joint Advisory Committee (JAC). Required to comment on consultation documents and take forward to adoption as appropriate with GBC. Use of Buildings: the Kent Downs AONB Partnership does not require use of GBC offices for the JAC Meetings. JAC Meetings are held within the AONB at various locations at no additional cost to GBC. Partnership membership Public : Natural England, Ashford Borough Council, City Council, District Council, Gravesham Borough Council, Kent County Council, London Borough of Bromley, Borough Council, Council, District Council, Shepway District Council, Swale Borough Council, & Malling Borough Council, Kent Association of Local Councils, Environment Agency. Private : Country Land and Business Association, National Farmers Union. Voluntary : Action with Communities in Rural Kent. Governance arrangements Terms of Reference: The Kent Downs AONB Partnership has a set of Terms of Reference agreed by the JAC covering: (1) Remit; (2) Membership; (3) Power to co- opt; (4) Voting rights; (5) Election of Chairman; (6) Frequency of Meetings; (7) Secretariat; (8) Agenda. Constitution : The Kent Downs AONB Partnership constitutes: (1) JAC; (2) Executive Group; (2) AONB Forum; (4) Sub-committees; (4) AONB Management Unit. Memorandum of Understanding: A Memorandum of Understanding covering the period April 2012 to March 2016 was signed by all partner local authorities and Natural England.

Gravesham Borough Council - 7 - Register of Partnerships – December 2012 Financial reporting Financial Reporting Timeframe: arrangements and timeframe A report is prepared by the AONB Management Unit Director on the for reporting financial position which is presented as an item at each JAC meeting (twice yearly). Budget Monitoring/Management: The JAC agrees the annual budget and the priorities for the Kent Downs AONB. Each partner may ask for further details should it wish. Risk Assessment Risk Assessment: The Kent Downs AONB Management Unit has a Business Continuity Plan and a Risk Register which covers the risks of the Unit and, to some extent, the Partnership (available on request). Risk to Council: Failure to meet its statutory duties including the ‘duty of regard’ to the Kent Downs AONB. Mitigation: The Kent Downs AONB Partnership has been successful at meeting its aims and objectives, therefore it has not been necessary to take mitigation action. Performance monitoring Performance Monitoring Arrangements: arrangements and details of Regular reports are prepared and presented to the Kent Downs AONB formal review of partnership Partnership JAC and Executive, which meet twice yearly and four times arrangements. yearly respectively. The Business Continuity Plan is reviewed annually and presented to the JAC and Executive. A new monitoring arrangement is currently being agreed nationally with Natural England. Review of Partnership Arrangements: In 2002, a review of staffing and governance was undertaken. In 2008 (following the review of the AONB Management Plan), a review of the Terms of Reference was undertaken. The AONB Management Unit has commissioned an internal audit of its finances and management arrangements. Date Partnership 14 July 1997 Date Partnership N/A Created / Approved Terminates by Cabinet (if applicable)

Significant partnership Other partnership

Gravesham Borough Council - 8 - Register of Partnerships – December 2012

Name of Partnership North West Kent Countryside Partnership Responsible Officer Sue Lord, Service Manager, Regeneration and Policy Lead Member(s) Cllr Lee Croxton, Lead Member for Planning Delivery Statutory Status Non Statutory Aims and objectives of To work towards the conservation and enhancement of the wildlife, partnership landscape and cultural heritage of the countryside in both a rural and urban context. Through events, environmental education, training, volunteer programmes and direct conservation work to increase the accessibility of the countryside to all, promoting greater respect and understanding where opportunities exist. To develop a partnership between organisations representing central and local government and the private and voluntary sectors to deliver a community countryside management service across the countryside and green spaces of the Partnership Area. To provide support to community initiatives, schools and landowners to conserve landscape features and wildlife habitats, including by assistance with sourcing grants and other funding. To provide opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in volunteering to conserve and enhance the Kent Countryside. Expected outcomes Enhanced quality of rural area coupled with better understanding and use of our countryside. Improved access to countryside by all sectors of the borough’s residents. Use of volunteers to carry out many of the improvement schemes assists with public ownership of the area plus provides volunteers with additional skills that can be translated in to job opportunities. Improved health levels via the Naturally Active programme which encourages participants to benefit from a programme including health walks, enviro gyms, health and nutrition sessions and family activity days. Links to GBC Key Areas of Area of focus 14 - Ensuring a sustainable high quality built and green Focus environment and safeguarding our cultural heritage. GBC Resources Officer – one officer attends quarterly Steering Group meetings (financial, officer, assets etc) Financial – GBC does not provide Core Funding. Partnership membership Core Funders:- Kent County Council, Council, London Borough of Bexley Partnership Funders (fund in money or money’s worth):- Environment Agency, Borough Council, Gravesham Borough Council, Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit. Governance arrangements The Partnership has a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) running from September 2012 to August 2015. The MoA details the governance arrangements of the Partnership including the governance of the Partnership Steering Group. Specifically the MoA covers: (1) Remit; (2) Membership; (3) Voting rights; (4) Election of Chairman; (5) Frequency of Meetings; (6) Secretariat; (7) Agenda. In addition, the MoA outlines the operational arrangements of the Partnership. The Project operates under the day to day direction of a Partnership Manager with the assistance of such staff as the Partnership may require and as may be agreed by the Funding Members. The Partnership Manager is directly accountable to the Partnership Steering Group. Financial reporting N/A arrangements and timeframe for reporting Risk Assessment There is no risk attached to this Partnership. Gravesham Borough Council - 9 - Register of Partnerships – December 2012 Performance monitoring The Partnership Manager prepares the following reports:- arrangements and details of A Management Strategy formal review of partnership An annual report on the Partnership and review of the forward programme arrangements. and budget. Performance monitoring Reports, financial forecasts and financial statements to every Steering arrangements and details of Group meeting. formal review of partnership Agendas and minutes of each Steering Group to each Core and arrangements. Partnership funder. continued Date Partnership 1984 Date Partnership N/A Created / Approved Terminates by Cabinet (if applicable)

Significant partnership Other partnership

Gravesham Borough Council - 10 - Register of Partnerships – December 2012

Name of Partnership Thames Gateway Kent Partnership Responsible Officer David Hughes, Chief Executive Lead Member (s) Councillor John Burden, Leader of the Executive Statutory Status Non-statutory partnership Aims and objectives of The main aims of the Partnership are to: partnership • Create the best conditions possible to attract investment and deliver sustainable, private sector-led economic growth across North Kent • Promote and enable collaboration between the private and public sectors to help achieve growth • Ensure that the Thames Gateway remains a key priority for Government These aims are supported by 10 long-term objectives for North Kent. Expected outcomes The overall vision for the partnership is to: “Make Thames Gateway Kent the place to be .” Through this vision, and the aims identified above, it is anticipated that North Kent will be recognised as: • An area of exciting towns and cities complemented by an outstanding natural environment , providing an exemplar of urban regeneration. • A thriving business centre attracting leading investors and businesses through its diverse and skilled workforce, high-quality commercial sites and local services, and accessibility to transport links and strategic routes to UK and Continental markets. • An area of strong, integrated communities with harmony between new and existing businesses and residents – where the benefits of development and investment are shared by the whole community. • A vibrant cultural hub with a thriving social scene and civic pride – attracting a growing student population, bringing youth and vigour to the community. In addition, the partnership has been awarded £20 million funding from the government’s Regional Growth Fund for the Thames Gateway Innovation, Growth and Enterprise (TIGER) programme. This programme will offer direct financial support to businesses, on a mostly interest-free basis, that are looking to invest in Dartford, Gravesham, Medway, Swale and Thurrock in projects that will help develop new products and processes and unlock new jobs. It is expected that this will help create more than 2,000 jobs and unlock millions in additional private sector investment.

Links to GBC Key Areas of 13 – Driving the economic development of the borough Focus 14 – Ensuring a sustainable high quality built and green environment and safeguarding our cultural heritage GBC Resources • Meetings of the main board are attended by the Leader and Chief (financial, officer, assets etc) Executive. Other officers are involved as required for input into the Multi Area Agreement. • Annual contribution by Gravesham Borough Council of £28,000. In addition, the council will be contributing £3,510 in 2012-13 towards the management costs of the TIGER project. Assets The council does not provide any specific assets to the Partnership. The partnership is based in Medway in a building owned by Medway Council. Partnership membership The partnership is a private and public sector partnership formed in 2001 and comprises senior representatives from across the North Kent business, local authority (Kent County Council, Gravesham Borough Council, Medway Council, Swale Borough Council, Dartford Borough Council) and higher/further education community. Gravesham Borough Council - 11 - Register of Partnerships – December 2012 Partnership membership In addition national government and agencies are also represented - the (continued ) Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the Environment Agency and a North Kent Member of Parliament. Additional partners from the education sector (North West Kent College and the University of Greenwich) are also included along with representatives from other private sector bodies. Governance arrangements The Partnership Board is chaired by the private sector with political representation from the five councils and representation from the private sector and education sector. The TGKP has a Constitution in place which sets out: • Specific arrangements for the partnership in terms of membership of the Board, member obligations including declarations of interest and voting rights. • Arrangements for the calculation and payment of subscriptions to the Board. • Details of how a proposal for the termination of the partnership can be brought forward. • Specific functions of the Board. • Secretariat arrangements for Board including details of the quorum, selection of the chairman and vice-chairman, minute-taking etc. It should be noted that the Constitution is currently under review and as such, this entry will be updated with details of the revised Constitution once finalised. Financial reporting Medway Council lead on finance with reports to the Board for budget arrangements and timeframe setting, year-end and as appropriate. for reporting Risk Assessment No specific annual risk assessment is carried out. Performance monitoring Monthly ‘dashboards’ are produced which provide a summary of key arrangements and details of economic indicators for the Thames Gateway area. These are utilised by formal review of partnership the Partnership Board in monitoring economic activity. arrangements. In addition, a regular newsletter is produced by the TGKP to provide an update on key issues that are prudent to the area and to update on any events that are taking place across the area. Date Partnership 2001 Date Partnership N/A Created / Approved Terminates by Cabinet (if applicable)

Significant partnership Other partnership

Gravesham Borough Council - 12 - Register of Partnerships – December 2012

Glossary of Terms To provide assistance to officers, Members and members of the public when reading the council’s Corporate Register of Partnerships, a Glossary of Terms has been developed to provide additional information about the meaning of some of the words included within the register.

Term Used Meaning

Annual Report A comprehensive report on an organisations activities over the past year, intended to give shareholders and other interested people information about the organisation’s activities and financial performance

Big Lottery Fund The Big Lottery Fund is the largest distributor of Lottery money to good causes and delivers funding throughout the UK, mostly through programmes tailored specifically to the needs of communities.

Business Continuity A plan that sets out how an organisation will respond and manage business Plan disruption in case of unforeseen events.

Constitution A document which sets out the fundamental rules governing the conduct of the partnership. It may also include details of the concept and structure of the partnership.

Corporate Business A document which sets out Gravesham Borough Council’s priorities for a period of Plan years and provides details of the actions to be undertaken towards achieving those priorities.

HCA The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the national housing and regeneration agency for England.

Memorandum of A written document describing the roles and responsibilities of two (or more) parties Understanding/ on a particular venture. An MOU is less formal than a contract, but is often signed Agreement (MOU) by the parties involved to indicate their agreement to the principles contained in the MOU. A MOU is sometimes a precursor to a formal agreement.

Naturally Active The Naturally Active Programme utilises Big Lottery Funding and the project covers Programme the areas of Dartford, Gravesham, Sevenoaks and Bexley. It is able to support groups and organisations to access the surrounding countryside through a variety of outdoor activities such as improving a green space, wildlife photography and outdoor sports.

Significant A partnership for which there is a council resource provision of £10,000 or greater or partnership one that is fundamental to the delivery of the goals and objectives of the Council’s corporate plan. Without this effective partnership therefore, the delivery of Gravesham Borough Council’s key corporate goals would not occur

Steering Group A steering group is a group of senior officers/partners who oversee the delivery of a project or partnership initiative.

Terms of Reference A document which describes the purpose and structure of a partnership along with basis for making future decisions and for confirming or developing a common understanding of the scope among stakeholders.