UTTOXETER TOWN COUNCIL
STRATEGIC PLAN 2012 to 2017
The aim of this document is to ensure that the overarching strategy of the current council is outlined, enabling Councillors and Officers to cross check individual decisions against the strategic plan. It should also provide any subsequent council with a statement of aims providing a point from which to start.
Uttoxeter Town Council recognises that this administration’s term of office will end in 2015 and that it may be that there is a change of Councillors at this time. Additionally, it may occur that there are changes in legislation, with localism and powers of competency on the horizon which may affect this strategy, and so it should be subject to further review.
If you wish to input into this review, then we welcome ongoing comments on the strategic direction of Uttoxeter Town Council by contacting the Town Clerk in writing.
Mission Statement:
The Town Council aims to support a caring cohesive inclusive community, a forum for local democracy and to promote the Town and its amenities to the wider audience.
The Aims of the Council are to:
- Provide services economically, efficiently and effectively.
- To provide public venues for the Uttoxeter people to utilise for business and pleasure.
- Work in a transparent open manner.
- Encourage local views and opinions and act upon them as appropriate.
- Work with local traders and other bodies to facilitate improvements to Uttoxeter’s environment and amenities to support local producers whenever possible.
- Work to make the environment and our services safe, ethical, sustainable and support the concepts of fair-trade for both imported and locally produced goods.
- Endeavour to appraise all the activities in Uttoxeter to ensure that the Town Council is best placed to meet the needs of the local people and economy.
The services which the Town Council are responsible for providing for the residents of Uttoxeter are:
- Town Hall and its facilities
- Cemetery
- Markets
- Allotments
- Upkeep of Redferns Cottage/ The Kiosk/32 Carter Street
- St. Mary’s Closed Churchyard
- To provide a critical appraisal to all initiatives that affect Uttoxeter
- Annually setting a fair and legal precept to provide these services, allow for contingency and maintain reserves according to our legal obligations.
The Town Council will achieve this under several strategies;
- Localism Act 2011
The Council intends to obtain the Power of Competence. This will give Uttoxeter Town Council the opportunity to bid to provide some local services which are currently provided by other levels of local government. The balance of opportunity and risk must be assessed in order to ensure ongoing excellent value to Uttoxeter rate payers.
- Uttoxeter Town Council prefers excellent services to be provided and administered locally and this will remain the default position in considering any future application under our powers to act.
- Neighbourhood Plan
- Uttoxeter Town Council will consider new housing and business sites in conjunction with ESBC and Staffordshire County Council.
- Promote Tourism into Uttoxeter through our marketing strategy and increased powers.
- Increase tourism/information signage within the remit of our powers.
- Promote ‘green spaces’ and fight for the protection of existing sites to ensure a green space legacy for future generations.
- Make Available Leisure and recreational activities/facilities to all residents by fighting to retain a town centre location for our improved leisure centre.
- Explore the possibility of incentives to encourage businesses into the town and prevent empty shops.
- Markets
- Uttoxeter Town Council has held control of the markets since November 2011. The markets have outperformed expectations and it is the intention of the Council to continue this trend.
- Whilst the Town Council suffers limitations in its powers to display advertising, it is proposed that the additional revenue from the markets be invested in order that –
- The Markets are widely publicised
- The Markets are an excellent venue for traders and shoppers alike
- There continues to be a range of market opportunities, with speciality markets being encouraged into the town.
- Traders Forum
- Uttoxeter Town Council will aim to assist in liasing with the various trade forums in the Town to ensure that there is a consistent approach to enterprise led initiatives in the town.
- As the powers of competency legislation allows, then Uttoxeter Town Council may liaise with the trade forums to lead future development initiatives for the benefit of all Uttoxeter.
- Town Council will co-operate with the Local Traders Forum to try and increase footfall to promote local produce, producers, retailers, artists and artisans whenever possible and in particular Ethical and Fair Trade products.
- Town Team
- The Town Council will co-operate with the Town Team to bring forward ideas to the Town Council to consider and where appropriate take action.
- Marketing Strategy
- Uttoxeter Town Council will develop a strategy to ensure that the town is consistently promoted across the region to the benefit of all its residents.
- Uttoxeter Town Council will continue to lobby for a more consistent and equitable car parking policy which will better serve our town by encouraging locals to remain local to shop, and for visitors to stay in our town as well.
- Communication Strategy
- Recent investments in the online presence of Uttoxeter Town Council have enabled frequent updates to be posted online. The council commits to use this as a communication stream for any relevant communications and in any case to ensure that;
- Agendas and Minutes of council meetings are available in good time.
- Member’s attendance record at meetings is recorded quarterly and posted online.
- Forthcoming events under control of the Town Council are regularly posted and in good time.
- Events organised by third parties are considered for publication on an application basis.
- Uttoxeter Town Council recognise that not all residents have internet access and so Agendas and Minutes will remain available in hard copy within the Town Hall and are available to be posted to residents on request, for a covering administration charge.
- Paperless meetings, cloud technology and the sustainable environment should be considered as a matter of some urgency. Uttoxeter Town Council aspires to undertake paperless meetings by 2015 and will progress the installation of WiFi throughout the Town Hall.
- Town Hall community usage
- This historic building remains the jewel in the crown of Uttoxeter and should be enjoyed by as many residents as possible. To this end the facility is made available at competitive rates throughout the year.
- Office space for Community projects or “start- up-groups” could be made available on a preferential short term basis.
- The Town Hall Ballroom and Alan Dean Suite are once again a superb licensed wedding venue and will be marketed to ensure this usage continues to grow.
- The success of the indoor market highlights the drive of traders to make use of this facility. The markets strategy will continue to ensure that this is promoted
- The Town Council commits to investigating possible usages of the Town Hall cellar, a possible untapped resource, within the lifetime of this plan.
- Police and voluntary organisations
- We will continue to strive to maintain strong and successful links with relevant groups to ensure a cohesive approach to wellbeing in the town.
- Staff and Councillors “Fit for Purpose”
- Councillors are held to account by the electorate. In addition they are bound by the codes of conduct adapted locally to deliver additionally stringent controls ensuring excellent conduct and behaviour.
- Uttoxeter Town Councillors, commit to –
- Providing and undertaking relevant training
- Networking with other Town/Parish Councils
- The Town Council remains responsible for employing the Town Hall staff. We commit to supporting staff by liaising with the Town Clerk where and when necessary, relating to –
- Staffing levels
- Staff responsibilities
- Staff training needs
- Staff salaries
- Staff Performance