In view of the scale and pace of regeneration, Dartford Borough Council has sought to maintain an up-to-date, dynamic and realistic vision for the area.
Its vision is: 'to make Dartford "the place of choice". A place where people choose to live, work and enjoy their leisure time' and this is developed through the Corporate Plan. These ambitions – more... were first set out in the 'Dartford Strategy for the Year 2000', approved by the Council in 1990.
Much of the emphasis was on preparing the area and its infrastructure to take advantage of the potential for regeneration. Substantial progress has since been made and the Council's vision and priorities have been reviewed and revised along the way.
In 1999 a revised Corporate Strategy supported this vision, with six priority themes:
Citizenship and Community
Environment
Regeneration
Housing
Corporate Health
Leisure Time
The themes formed a framework for the Council's wider policies and targets and the annual Best Value Performance Plan is based around them.
The Local Strategic Partnership for Kent Thameside, encompassing the Boroughs of Dartford and Gravesham, formed in April 2002, focuses on:
meeting local people's priorities and needs
better planning, co-ordination and delivery of services
improving quality of life for everyone
The Community Strategy (2003) aims to create, encourage, support and nurture strong and sustainable communities, preserving the best of what is in place, while seeking to maximise the benefits of new opportunities.
It gives a lead to organisations working in the area by setting out clear objectives and actions, in order that they can develop plans and mainstream finance around them.
Dartford Borough Council has been instrumental in developing the strategy, which needed to reflect the substantial differences in community needs and priorities between the Boroughs of Dartford and Gravesham. The new administration has, in a very short time, reviewed policies, strategies and priorities to enable the Council to clarify its role in taking the Community Strategy Action Plan forward.
Key themes and actions for a revised Corporate Plan were approved by the Council on 15 December 2003. With the addition of 'Quality Services', they are the same as those developed through the Corporate Strategy (1999).
'Quality Services' has been made a priority to emphasise the Council's primary role in delivering high quality services to local people.
A wide-ranging consultation exercise is currently underway, with all households in the Borough having the opportunity to contribute. The Corporate Plan will be approved by the Council in February 2004.
A new Town Centre Partnership has been established, bringing together key business and community interests to revitalise Dartford town centre and focusing resources on this critical aspect of the wider regeneration programme. Community Leadership and partnership is demonstrated in the Abbott Laboratories project supported by the Council in order to secure employment and investment.
The Council worked closely with residents and other stakeholders in planning the future of key developments at Dartford Park , the former West Hill Hospital site and at Greenhithe. Now it is scrutinising the Post Office closure programme in the Borough, recognising how crucial Post Offices are to the local community, particularly the elderly.
Dartford Borough Council petitioned the Government for funding for regeneration, well in advance of the Sustainable Communities Plan.
When the chosen route of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) was announced in 1993 it became evident that the route would pass through the Borough.
While seeking an acceptable route the Council took a positive lead in convincing the Government, and others, of the need for an international station at Ebbsfleet to bring economic benefits to the community.
The realism and robustness of the Council's ambitions have been demonstrated by its record of delivery, not least in respect of the key Thames Gateway challenges.
The development of Bluewater Shopping Centre, the award winning riverside development at Ingress Park and Darenth Country Park , a major new community facility covering 40 hectares and funded, in the main, by the Millennium Commission and English partnerships, together with programmes such as SureStart and Urban illustrate the Council's ability to put its ambitions into practice. Current proposals in respect of the Town Centre, Dartford Park and Stone Lodge demonstrate the scope of the Council's future ambitions.
Sometimes, though, the Council faces capacity issues in relation to meeting its ambitions. Working closely with private and public sector bodies and Government agencies, it strives to plan and deliver ongoing improvement and regeneration for local people in the context of wider economic change across the region.
One challenge is in ensuring that all partners are following the same programme. In the recent Audit Commission inspection report on the Council's Planning and Land Best Value Review (May 2003), it was stated in conclusion that:
'The Council has responded well to the challenges of the pace of regeneration in Dartford. We recognise that the wider regeneration agenda provides a drive for improvement in addition to best value reviews - not least since government policy and funding support have now been clearly stated. – less – More from ZoomInfo »
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