The Partners
Ashford's Future is a partnership of local councils, government
agencies and others from the public and private sector. By working
together, the ten main partners are able to bring their own
expertise and resources in their own areas of responsibility. This
allows Ashford to maintain local democratic control of many aspects
of the project with the help and support of others.
The partners involved in Ashford’s Future are:
Ashford is the largest borough in Kent
covering 224 square miles and includes the rural town of Tenterden.
Ashford has a fast-growing population which has more than trebled
in the last 40 years to around 111,000 residents. Ashford Borough
Council is responsible for a wide range of services to residents,
companies and potential investors.
Communities and Local Government (formally the
Office for the Deputy Prime Minster) is responsible for local and
regional Government, housing, planning, fire, regeneration, social
exclusion and neighbourhood renewal.
Homes & Communities Agency is
the national regeneration agency, helping the Government to support
high quality sustainable growth in England. This is achieved
through a partnership between the Pubic and Private Sectors working
towards high standards of design, construction and environmental
sustainability.
The Environment Agency is the leading public
body for protecting and improving the environment in England and
Wales. It is their responsibility to make sure that air, land and
water are looked after by everyone in today's society, so that
tomorrow's generations inherit a cleaner, healthier world.
GOSE represents
central government in the region and their role is to promote
better and more effective integration of Government policies and
programmes at a regional and local level. It was created in April
1994 and brings together the activities previously carried out on a
regional basis by the separate Departments responsible for
Education, Employment, Transport, Local Government, Trade and
Industry.
Kent County Council is the largest, and one of
the leading, local authorities in the UK. At a time of tremendous
change and opportunity for Kent, KCC provides strategic direction
for countywide regeneration, striking a balance between the often
conflicting demands of housing, employment, existing communities
and the environment in order to ensure development which is of the
very highest quality and genuinely sustainable in the long
term.
The Learning and Skills Council exists to make
England better skilled and more competitive.
The LSC have a
single goal: to improve the skills of England’s young people and
adults to ensure we have a workforce of world-class standard. The
LSC is
responsible for planning and funding high quality education and
training for everyone in England other than those in universities.
Our vision is that by 2010, young people and adults in England have
knowledge and skills matching the best in the world and are part of
a truly competitive workforce.
The South East England Development Agency was
established by the Government to take the strategic lead in
promoting the sustainable economic development of the region, and
works with partners to make the South East of England a world class
region, achieving sustainable development and enhanced quality of
life.
The South East England Regional Assembly is a
Government appointed body which controls strategic planning for the
region. SEERA concentrates
on major regional issues affecting several counties, such as
housing trends and the economy, and works with Government on how to
deal with these issues long-term.
The Housing Corporation is the national
Government agency that funds new affordable housing and regulates
housing associations in England.
Other Organisations Involved