Malling Action Partnership – supporting local people, businesses and events.

What is the Malling Action Partnership?

The Malling Action Partnership (MAP) is a partnership of local groups, organisations, businesses, local authorities and individuals working together to promote business and community life within the ten parishesof the Malling area, so that our communities can continue to thrive.

Malling Action Partnership aims to: 

• retain the character of these Malling communities.  West Malling is an historic mediaeval Kentish market town providing quality shopping and specialist services to nine surrounding rural villages, all of whom have their own vibrant community life;
   
• encourage residents of the ten parishes to live a greener lifestyle using local shops and businesses, and getting involved in community activities; and,
   
• advertise and support local community events to ensure that there is more on offer for everyone to enjoy.

Background

In 2007, the Malling Action Partnership partners came together to bid for funds under the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) Rural Market Towns scheme administered by Kent Rural Towns (KRT) for Kent County Council (KCC). 

By spring 2009, the Health Check research process, required by SEEDA, was completed by the MAP partners, working with over 150 volunteers.  During this period, MAP raised £70,000 of match funding to finance the action programme, and was awarded match funding by SEEDA in October 2009. 

A total of £145,000 is now available to deliver the programme over the next two years, and we hope that a further £20,000 will be raised from advertising opportunities and other revenue generating schemes.

In early 2010, a leading local charity -The Beat Project - was appointed to coordinate the entire programme and overseen by the Steering Group.  The Beat Project, based in East Malling, is a leading local charity with extensive experience of working with communities in Snodland, East Malling and Tonbridge.  For more information, visit The Beat Project. 

What will Malling Action Partnership do for the area?

Over a period of two years, the Malling Action Partnership programme will:

• Develop and support a group of volunteers from the community and local businesses to set working groups for Events, Business, Local Foods, Transport and Marketing.
   
• Create a community website for visitors and residents which will promote local news, services and information.
   
• Manage the production and circulation of a community magazine containing local news, forthcoming events and essential local information.
   
• Support the continued growth of the monthly West Malling Farmers’ Market and support the creation of a new weekly Farmers’ Market at the Pilsdon Community, West Malling.
   
• Support and create a local calendar of events by advising existing events when required; setting up new events; and, encouraging more residents to take part in local events.
   
• Work with local councils and transport authorities/providers to improve public transport services and parking facilities.
   
• Support and promote local businesses via advertising, promoting sustainable ‘Shop Local’ and ‘Local Foods’ and other green campaigns.
   
• Enhance local business networking by working in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and further developing the marketing skills of small independent businesses.

A key requirement of the Malling Action Partnership programme is to leave a lasting legacy for the benefit of the Malling area.  It is hoped this will be achieved by: establishing a group of active volunteers, becoming self-funded, and/or attracting additional funding support for the projects.