Taunton's Vision

Questions for Taunton Vision
From Taunton Deane Council
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Taunton’s central location on the main rail and road routes has made it the natural choice for regional meetings.
Could Taunton become the natural capital of the South West?
What is Taunton’s potential role in the region?
What are Taunton’s “unique selling points”?
Should the livestock market relocate to a new site near the M5 where it can have a strategic role as part of a rural enterprise complex and meet all the new EU regulations?
Could Firepool become a regional centre of government for the South West?
Could this attract the Regional Assembly meetings with a conference centre and hotel? Might this be the location for a Regional Centre of Excellence?
Could the bus station be relocated to the railway station to become a transport interchange?
As well as public and private investment in high quality buildings and the public spaces, could such projects bring jobs and spin off benefits for the local economy?

BETTER CIVIC BUILDINGS AND SPACES by CABE
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'By the mid-13th century Taunton had two fairs. These Middle Age fairs were like markets but were held only once a year for a period of several days and Taunton fairs would attract buyers and sellers from all over Southwest England'.

Taunton's Vision

	A vision statement is an important way of identifying the core purpose of any organisation and providing a framework for allocating resources as well as measuring it's development and success. As well as local issues there is a much bigger picture to take in consideration when creating a vision. Keeping in line with trends in Europe, governmental change, statistical evidence and understanding the community are just a few of these.
	So who and what affects this vision? Local councils and authorities alike around the UK have produced visions and goals in a variety of publications to explain this and more. Those that have an immediate affect on Taunton's community and region are:
	Vision For Taunton - Our Place Our Future This document sets out a vision for 2025 and is a summary of the main components of that Vision process and an advocacy of the vision commission's preferred way forward. Involving LSP's (Local Strategic Partnerships-see below) and contributions by the private and public sector, Taunton Deane Borough Council and Somerset County Council aims to monitor progress and ensure co-ordination. Click Here to read the report. Taunton Deane Corporate Strategy 2003-2006 Based on new legislation in 2000, which sets out the need for community strategies this publication runs parallel with 'Our Place Our Future' and aims to provide the council's value's and priorities in the form of a plan. Click Here to read the publication Somerset Cultural Strategy The aim of Somerset’s Cultural Strategy, in line with Department of Culture, Media and Sport guidance, is to make a significant and measurable increase in the range and quality of cultural opportunities. One strategy is to identify the defining features of Somerset culture and to celebrate them, another is to identify the factors which limit the ability of Somerset residents to enjoy a fuller cultural life. But the key element of the strategy is its Action Plan which suggests some of the ways in which public agencies, and others, can promote and support Somerset culture and so enrich the lives of all Somerset people. Click Here to Read
	The important national and regional factors that affect the Taunton are:
	Devolution of Power - Regional Governance After the devolution of power to Scotland & Wales & Northern Ireland the aim for the government is to devolve power and revitalise the regions in a similar manner via RDA's (Regional Development Agencies). By bringing decision-making closer to the regions it offers people in those regions to have a distinct political voice and a real say over decisions which matter to them, issues such as jobs, transport, housing, culture and the environment. Click here to read Your Region Your Choice-Full Report Regional Assemblies - SWRA As part of the regional governance evolution the South West Regional Assembly has become a firm standing body that has great influence over our region. The Assembly reviews wide ranging strategies at regional level but has two key functions: to act as the Regional Planning Body and to hold the South West Regional Development to account on behalf of the region. Click Here to read more at the SWRA's web site
	Local Strategic Partnerships - LSP A key element in the National Strategy is the improvements of mainstream services to produce better outcomes in the most deprived areas and contribute to sustainable development. To achieve these improvements, the Government, local authorities and other service providers need to work together to reallocate resources, and 'bend' their mainstream programmes to tackle deprivation better. However, a lack of joint working at local level has been one of the key reasons for lack of progress in delivering sustainable economic, social and physical regeneration; or improved public services, that meets the needs of local people. LSPs will give communities a greater say in the running and delivery of public services by drawing the key service providers into a single partnership with which the community is actively engaged. A combination of organisations, and the community, working co-operatively has a far greater chance of success. Click Here to read LSP Government Guidance Click Here to read LSP Guide for Voluntary and Community Groups
	Local Development Frameworks From Summer 2004, instead of producing one plan, local authorities will be required to produce several shorter documents-to be known as Local Development Documents- which will make up the Local Development Framework. Local authorities will be required to have these Local Development Frameworks in place by March 2007. In addition, they will need to produce Statements of Community Involvement setting out exactly how the local community will be involved in the preparation of Local Development Documents. Key Local Development Documents will include Core Strategies, Area Action Plans and Proposals Maps. Click Here to read more