ALTON Town Council has given unanimous support to a three-year economic development project, run in partnership with East Hampshire District Council (EHDC), to improve the vitality and vibrancy of the town.

Starting on April 1, the project will by led by a new business development manager whose remit will be to “attract new business and investment with a particular focus on employment”.

At a full council meeting on February 10, councillors ratified a resolution, put forward by the town council’s policy and resources committee, to support the economic development project, along with funding of 50 per cent of the cost, up to a value of £30,000 per year.

This will cover salary and related costs, with an allowance of up to £8,000 per year for projects, to be drawn down as required. This sum has been accounted for within the 2016/17 budget and without recourse to a precept increase.

The business development manager role is a key outcome of Alton’s Neighbourhood Plan process but will be managed by EHDC. As such, the appointed person will be a district council employee, supported by the authority’s economic development team, but based primarily at Alton town hall.

Candidates were due to be interviewed on Wednesday after a shortlist was drawn up with the approval of town council leader Peter Hicks, Graham Hill and mayor Pam Jones who, along with senior town council staff, have been invited to meet the candidates to ensure the person is the “right fit” for Alton.

While there is as yet little detail regarding the business development manager role, Mr Hill told the policy and resources committee that the successful candidate should be a self-starter as it is an entrepreneurial role building on what Alton already has rather than looking at regeneration.

Nor is the project just about the High Street. It will cover all aspects of Alton including the sourcing of grant funding and opportunities, added Mr Hill.