EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This plan provides a clear Community Strategy with links through to the Council's Corporate Strategy.

Ampthill Town Council is a forward thinking and proactive Council who strive to provide an active and pleasant quality of life for the residents of the town and surrounding areas.

The Town is shortly to see a change in it's layout with the development of the land west of Ampthill. Smaller developments already in place have placed new challenges to the Town as a whole.

It is the Town Council's intention to identify the way in which the community can be best served by identifying aims and agreeing objectives for the short, medium and long term.

The Council will also ensure robust risk management as an essential feature of good governance. It is vital to recognise that risk management is not all about health and safety, but applies to all aspects of the Council's work.

This policy has the full support of the Council which recognises that any loss of service provision affects the Community; it is the responsibility of all Members and Employees to ensure that Council resources are not placed at unnecessary risk.

The Town Council are very proud to have been awarded the Quality Status. This has been awarded by the National Association of Local Councils on the basis that Ampthill Town Council is an active, professional and competent body.

The Councillors and Staff will continue to work to ensure that the standard is retained on behalf of the town.

MISSION STATEMENT

Ampthill Town Council strives to promote services to the residents of the town which are effective, caring and relevant to all, and as permitted by the resources available.

The Town Council will encourage the people of Ampthill to take part in the civic and community life of the town.

Aims and Objectives.

Parks, Burial Ground, Allotments and Open Spaces

Short term strategies (within 12 -18 months)

To compile a tree survey to identify the veteran trees in Ampthill Park, Alameda Walk and Coronation Walk and investigate the condition of those trees.

To compile a tree management plan that will feed into the long term strategies to bring Ampthill Park closer to the Capability Brown design and ensure the trees in Alameda Walk and Coronation Walk are preserved as much as possible.

To clear the park of fallen wood leaving enough for natural habitation of wild life.

To work with Shuttleworth College to take the crowns out of the trees along Alameda Walk.

To work with Mid Beds District Council to carry out replanting of trees where necessary.

To install new play equipment suitable for use by older children and teenagers.

To continue to plant spring bulbs on the four routes into the town.

To raise the enquiry with Mid Beds District Council as to whether it is legal to use Section 106 agreements to enable the

Town Council to purchase more recreational space for the Town.

To plant a natural hedge using mixed native hedging plants along the south side of the Burial Ground adjacent to the apple orchard.

To increase the tree population using native varieties and to plant a Willow tree next to the pond in Gas House Lane to aid

drainage.

To install benches where appropriate.

To construct a wooden compound for storage of grass cuttings adjacent to the existing shed.

To investigate some of the Thursday Traders using their own stalls to set up on the Market Square during the time of the weekly market, with the proviso that they trade with their backs to the road and do not block access to the pedestrian crossing.

Medium term strategies (within 18 months to 5 years)

To restore both Katherine's Cross and the Duke of Bedford War Memorial to their former glory to ensure that the future residents of the town and indeed the Country can enjoy the historical value of both the Memorials for many years to come.

To increase disabled access to the park by installing new path surfaces.

To compile a dog walkers code of conduct, thus protecting the park from inconsiderate use.

To control the rabbit population in order to protect the sub surface structure of the Greensand Ridge and surrounding area.

To construct a new block to house toilets, workroom and community use rooms.

To investigate purchasing the field adjacent to Coopers Hill currently in the ownership of Mr Olney.

To investigate adopting the area of open space in Tavistock Avenue.

To investigate adopting the play area in Tavistock Avenue.

To identify any additional or replacement play equipment in Ampthill Park.

To replace the fencing around the Burial Ground using materials and design that is sympathetic to the original Victorian fencing.

To introduce a policy using the byelaw regulations whereby those Traders not having a frontage onto the main shopping streets may place an 'A' frame at the end of the Market Square providing that it does not impede access in any way.

Long Term Strategies (5 years onwards)

To continue to work to the tree management plan for all trees in the park, Alameda Walk and Coronation Walk.

To continue to maintain Ampthill Park, its walks, play equipment and sports areas.

To continue to provide allotment gardens for the residents of the town, keeping fences and hedgerows in a neat and tidy condition.

To continue to maintain the 101 Roundabout seeking sponsorship from the community.

To continue to provide flower baskets to enhance the town.

To continue to protect the SSSI status of Coopers Hill.

To continue to work in partnership with the Wildlife Trust to delegate the management of Coopers Hill to this organisation.

To continue in partnership with the Greensand Trust.

To continue to work in partnership with the Friends of Kings Arms Path Garden.

To investigate the purchase of the hop field behind Kings Arms Garden.

To continue to maintain The Sands car park.

To continue the long term maintenance of the Burial Ground and make appropriate improvements.

To maintain the Market Square and Town Pump to the current standard.

To maintain the Town Clock.

To continue to maintain the bus shelters.

FINANCE, POLICY AND GENERAL PURPOSES

Short Term Strategies (within 12 to 18 months)
 
Ampthill Town Council will formulate a five year rolling plan for improvements to Council owned properties.

The Town Council's website is to be kept updated.

A new website design is to be sought.

The Town Council will continue to produce a quality informative newsletter.

Written correspondence will be acknowledged within 5 working days.

E-mails will be responded to within 2 working days.

Telephone messages will be returned with 2 working days.

All customers will be treated with respect.

Medium Term Strategies (within 18 months to 5 years)

To utilise the funds held in reserves relating to the sale of the car park for the benefit of the community.

To enhance and promote the Town Centre Christmas Lights.

To enhance street lighting provision around the town.

To work with Mid Beds District Council to plan for cycle paths around the town.

Long Term Strategies (5 years onwards)

Ampthill Town Council will ensure that all public buildings under their ownership or responsibility will be maintained to a high standard and will be accessible to all, where reasonable.

To ensure the toilet block in the Market area is maintained.

To pledge that the Town Council will ensure that community facilities are provided for the residents of the town.

To retain the accessibility of the Town Council Offices during reasonable hours to the public in order to provide a service to residents of the town.

To protect the Charter Market to ensure it thrives as a small town weekly market.

To protect the idea of the provision of a regular Farmers Market.

To ensure financial provision is made to enable these objectives to be met using sound and effective financial budgeting within the adopted financial regulations of the Town Council.