THE FIRST meeting of the Horncastle Steering Group was held on Friday May 30, 2008, to set in motion the consultation and development plans for future investment and improvement of key services and community facilities in the town. East Lindsey District Council called the meeting as part of the process for development following announcement of an interim move of Customer Services staff and town council functions to a joint County/District/Town Council facility in the local library.
The meeting included elected representatives of all three statutory bodies representing Lincolnshire County Council, East Lindsey District Council and Horncastle Town Council. Also in attendance were key senior officers from East Lindsey District Council including the Heads of Economic Development, Planning and Housing. With agreement of the various representatives, Jane Froggatt, Strategic Director at East Lindsey District Council, chaired the meeting.
During the meeting, the Group agreed a clear intent and purpose to focus the resources and energies of the County, District and Town in developing a plan for Horncastle that addressed the need for better community facilities and an overarching principle to improve the quality of services for residents.
Commenting on set up of the group Jane Froggatt said ‘This a key Group of elected individuals who represent the vital interests of the town combined with the skills and resources of the District Council to deliver real improvements for the people of Horncastle. The objectives will be to engage with the people of the town and to guarantee delivery of a credible programme of improvements. This Group will also work to build confidence in the town and to show that working as partners we can deliver what the town needs.’
Councillor Doreen Stephenson, Leader of East Lindsey District Council, attended the meeting to demonstrate a leadership commitment to moving this project forward and to working with the local community. She said: “We will work with residents and local partners to clearly identify the needs of the town - whether this is a building on an existing site or a new service or building. We will also do all that we can to assemble and attract funding to meet the long-term aspirations of residents and to improve the quality of life in Horncastle. Through this Group, we have the strongest possible interests of the town directly involved in the development of plans for the future. The welcome participation of committed and resourceful elected members from all three Councils is an absolute key to our future success.”
Horncastle District Councillor Steve Newton commented: “This is a great opportunity to get things done. Working as a team is vital. We may have our differences but we have a common aim - to do better for Horncastle.”
Local County Councillor Michael Clarke said: ”The County Council has a clear intention to support efforts to improve services and resources in Horncastle. Working as a partnership with the Town and District can only bring added benefits and ensure we deliver modern services and facilities that stand the test of time.”
During the meeting the Group set out a remit for discussion and decided that the wide consultation process provided an opportunity to consider a range of development options that would include the town hall and other public land in the area. At this stage, it was also agreed that no single option could be considered in full until a proper needs assessment had been conducted looking at all local facilities and services.
The Group chose not to rule out any options for the future, instead the District Council undertook to deliver a clear ‘Needs Assessment’ for all local services and facilities. Work on the launch of this assessment is already in hand.
During the meeting, the Group acknowledged that a number of different consultation strands had already been developed through groups such as the Horncastle Town Plan Group and the Horncastle Town Hall Group.
This in mind, it was vital that these groups be given every opportunity to contribute to any proposals alongside other local partners and residents. Based on this, it was agreed that elected members from the District and Town Council, along with specialist officers from the District Council, would meet with these group to establish how they feel they can best contribute to future plans.
In addition, the Group agreed to meet with key partners in the town and invite them to identify their needs for the future and ideas for collaborative working and facilities. This group would also be invited to test and consider options as they develop.
The third strand agreed at the meeting was a consultation process with a local ‘sounding board’ designated ‘Horncastle Voice’. This would be established by random sampling from a wide range of residents in Horncastle to identify a representative group who will be invited to consider options and proposals once they are better defined.
Representing Horncastle Town Council, Councillor David Roark said: “There are many voices in Horncastle and it is important that we hear them all. Our role in the Group will be to ensure the best possible consultation with residents and other local groups. This will include sports groups, voluntary groups, schools and businesses. The town deserves better and this Steering Group offers a real boost to our chances of success. I actively encourage all residents to have their say and to get involved in the consultation process as it rolls out.
The Steering Group will begin work immediately establishing links to other partners and interest groups such as the Town Hall Group and the Town Plan Group. At the same time, details of the consultation process will be finalised and made public.
