Area of Development: Social and Community

Issue  8: Town Centre

Objective

Actions

Success criteria and timescale

Progress

Date

8A

To ensure that the fabric and appearance of the Town Centre is of the highest possible quality.

8.1

Create a scheme to upgrade and maintain the appearance of the Town Centre.

There is a measurable improvement in the appearance of the town centre and a scheme is in place to ensure that this improvement is maintained. [S*]

a] Photographic record of existing appearance of town centre. [S*]

b] Key issues affecting town centre appearance identified. [S*]

c] Scheme in place to improve appearance of town centre. [S/M]

a] Photos been taken.

Nov 2011

8.2

Ensure that all areas of the Town are regularly cleaned and encourage the population to take personal responsibility to reduce the amount of all types of fouling.

The town appears clean and litter free at all times. [S*]

a] Assessment made of when and how littering and fouling occurs. [S*]

b] Clear understanding of how town centre is cleaned and who is responsible. [S]

c] Appropriate changes to existing cleaning schedule and methods. [S/M]

 b] Preliminary discussions taken place

 Nov 2011

8.3

Identify owners of run down property to initiate improvements.

All town properties are well maintained. [M]

a] Owners of run down properties identified. [S*]

b] Owners requested to improve appearance of their properties. [S*]

c] Funding opportunities for improvements identified and information passed to owners. [S]

a] Some progress being made on identifying owners

Nov 2011

8.4

Lobby Shropshire Council to use their planning powers where necessary to enforce improvements to run-down property.

Run down properties are improved. [M]

a] Properties needing enforcement action

identified. [M]

8.5

Consider entering the Britain in Bloom competition once more.

Whitchurch earns a bronze award or above in Britain in Bloom competition. [L]

a] Britain in Bloom committee established to work alongside Council. [S]

b] Working together to meet competition criteria [S/M/L]

8.6

Create a campaign to develop civic pride across all sectors of the community.

The Community is positive about Whitchurch. [M]

a] All households and businesses are aware of the Town Plan and the Town Council’s vision for Whitchurch. [S]

b] Civic pride demonstrated through:

·         contested local elections;

·         increase membership of Town organisations;

·         more people volunteering;

·         wider involvement in public debate;

·         good attendance at activities and events;

·         more positive news stories. [S*/M/L]

8B

To sustain and further develop a thriving market town centre

8.7

Investigate ways of providing and supporting a wider range of shops and services and develop schemes to encourage local people to use local shops services.

There is greater diversity of independent and multiple retail units and more people using Whitchurch shops and services. [M]

a] New businesses assisted through start up schemes; reduction in business rates and building improvement schemes. [S/M/L]

b] Shopping locally is well promoted. [S/M/L]

c] Existing retails outlets access marketing, employment and training, and business rate support. [S/M]

d] Rent reviews on retail and business premises show rents to be fair. [M]

8.8

Review of Market arrangements:

• venue;
• number of stalls;
• encouragement of, and support and help for, new traders;
• access;
• cost of stalls;
• variety of market types.

There is a range of successful markets in Whitchurch. [M]

a] Current market arrangements have been reviewed. [S*]

b] Funding and resources for market developments identified. [S]

c] A strategy for development of the weekly Country market, Farmers’ market and special markets in place. [S]

Farmers’ Market now extended to Bullring.

Additional Farmers’ Market taking place each month in Bullring

Aug 2011

Oct 2011

8C

To ensure that the practical needs of all Town Centre users are met.

8.9

Improve access to buildings and pavements for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Wheelchair and pushchair users can access all parts of the town and buildings open to the public. [S]

a] Access audit of all buildings open to the public across town completed. [S]

b] Buildings requiring improvements identified and issues raised with owners/ tenants. [S/M]

8.10

Ensure that well maintained public toilets remain available and examine the feasibility of providing additional public toilets at the top end of the Town.

Public toilets remain available and are clean and well maintained. [S*]

a] Feasibility study on additional provision at the top of town completed. [S]

Tesco may supply toilets if they go ahead with WLM plans

Nov 2011

8.11

Review all town centre signage to ensure that there is no duplication or excess signage and that signs are readily accessible to all.

Duplicated and excessive signage removed. Signage reflects an inclusive approach to the diverse needs of the community. [M]

a] A review of signage including consultation regarding adapted signage has been completed. [S]

8.12

Continue to provide information about the history and buildings of Whitchurch for visitors and residents.

Accurate high quality information about the history of Whitchurch is available across a variety of media to appeal to a diverse community of residents and visitors. [M]

a] Resources to support on-going provision and improvements in information have been identified. [S]

b] Plan in place to introduce improved range of information in different media. [S/ M]