Launceston Town Council  -  Strategic Plan 2011-2016
Launceston Town Council has 16 elected members. Elections take place every four years, the last being in May 2007. The next elections will take place in 2013 to tie in with elections for the new unitary authority, Cornwall Council. The Full Council ratifies the decisions made by the committees and makes decisions on the larger issues which affect the council and the town. The council is non-political. The Annual Parish Meeting is held in March and the Annual General Meeting of the Council is held in May.

There are five full time and two part-time members of staff. The Town Clerk is also the Responsible Financial Officer and works full-time. The Deputy Town Clerk and Administrator work part-time making one FTE post. The Property Manager and the three manual workers are all full-time members of staff.

Launceston Town Council assets and services

• Launceston Town Hall and Guildhall
• Lawrence House Museum
• Launceston Cemetery
• Allotments at Dutson, Grammers Park and Kensey Vale
• Coach Park - Western Road
• Multi-storey car park in Westgate Street
• Public conveniences
• War Memorial
• Southgate Arch
• The Roundhouse, Newport
• The Bandroom (leased to Launceston Town Band)
• The Green Room (leased to LADS)
• Former public toilet block at Newport and car parking area
• Launceston Priory Ruins
• Grammers Park and play area
• King’s Field and play area
• Packhorse Bridge, Newport
• The Rest Garden, Newport
• Dockacre closed cemetery
• Public seats
• Bus shelters
• Public lights (3)

Launceston Town Council provides the following partnership services with Cornwall Council:
• Grass cutting and horticultural work in the town and surrounding parishes
• Grass cutting of Highways (sub contracted)
• Footpaths maintenance
• Management of the Town Square
• Management of the Parade Ground

Launceston Town Council manages the town square and parade ground on behalf of Cornwall Council. Maintenance remains the responsibility of Cornwall Council.

The original Strategic Plan set out Launceston Town Council’s aims and objectives for five years from 2008. This updated version looks at the five years from 2011. The document outlines the policies through which the Town Council will seek to achieve the best possible for the town and the community.

The Strategic Plan is based on the terms of reference for the Council’s committees:
Finance & General Purposes
Planning and Economic Development
Lawrence House Management
Properties
Environment and Open Spaces

Each committee has its own objectives and policies, which flow from the Town Council’s Mission Statement and strategic objectives. Committee budgets are detailed in the Town Council’s annual budget, which is drawn up in November.

Mission Statement
The primary role of Launceston Town Council is to provide a democratic and representative voice for the community. It will support, and contribute towards, the sustainable economic and social well-being of the town, having regard to the needs and wishes of the local community. Launceston Town Council recognises its obligations to deliver cost-effective quality services. Launceston Town Council will work with other councils to ensure that the town remains at the heart of the local community.

Aims and Values
• To show clear and positive community leadership
• To be open and accountable, and to conduct the Council’s business with integrity and impartiality
• To consult effectively and to represent the views of the residents at all levels of local and national government
• To promote continuous improvement of Council services, and of services provided by others
• To use resources effectively and efficiently
• To support the local economy by using local service providers whenever possible
• To respond quickly and efficiently to all enquiries
• To arrange civic and ceremonial duties in a dignified manner to uphold, enhance and promote the status of the town

Strategic Objectives
• To promote equality of access to services
• To enhance the quality of life of residents by providing services and facilities which reflect the identified needs of the community
• To ensure that public services are responsive to the needs of the community
• To build and maintain effective working relationships with statutory agencies and other partners
• To improve and preserve the town environment
• To improve communications between Launceston Town Council and the community it serves, including local parishes
• To support local organisations through councillor representation and by making grants available
• To make the Town Hall a hub of community life

Achieving the Council’s strategic objectives
Short term objectives (1 year)
• To work with Cornwall Council to ensure the best result for Launceston in all decisions taken in relation to service provision
• To continue the councillor surgeries at the monthly General Market
• To update and improve the website (a new website went online in August 2010)
• To contribute council news to Launceston Link (published quarterly, delivered to 9000 homes in and around Launceston)
• To continue to provide news stories to the local press
• To provide more notice boards
• To maintain and review the Council’s Health and Safety Policy
• To achieve Quality Status (application submitted October 2010)

Medium term objectives (2/3years)
• To make use of social media (Twitter, Facebook) to engage with the community
• To explore other methods of improving communication
• To ensure that Launceston benefits from the new Unitary Authority by delivering a range of services on behalf of Cornwall Council
• To support and encourage the Youth Council
• To make individual councillors portfolio holders for specific tasks
• To provide tourist and community information services to the town

Long term objectives (3 years +)
• To develop and strengthen the relationship with Cornwall Council
• To draw up an Emergency Plan for the town

Finance & General Purposes Committee
This committee covers all matters relating to Council's finances and the efficient and effective management of its resources. The Staffing Committee is a sub-committee of Finance & General Purposes.

Strategic Objectives
• To manage the Council’s resources efficiently and effectively
• To ensure that staff are qualified, trained and motivated to provide high quality services to the town

Short term objectives (1 year)
• To maintain a training programme for councillors and staff
• To carry out Risk Assessments of all areas of the Council’s work
• To upgrade the Council’s computer systems and to purchase appropriate software to maximise efficiency
• To continue to support the town’s CCTV system

Medium term objectives (2/3years)
• To review staffing requirements following the establishment of Cornwall Council and the devolution of services

Long term objectives (3 years +)
• To maximise income from all sources in order to minimise increases in the precept
• To pay off part of the loan from the PWLB when rates are favourable

Properties Committee
The committee has responsibility for the physical assets belonging to the Council (Town Hall and Guildhall, car park and public conveniences, priory ruins, Southgate Arch, Roundhouse, coach park, war memorial) and for advising the council on the best future uses of the buildings.

Strategic Objectives
• To develop the Town Hall to its full potential
• To ensure that all properties are properly maintained, and that a rolling programme of works is introduced
• To protect the historic Priory site and to encourage community involvement

Short term objectives (1 year)
• To work with partners to make best use of the new Town Hall
• To licence the Guildhall for weddings
• To actively market the Town Hall as a venue
• To refurbish the public conveniences
• To refurbish the car park
• To work with the Friends of Launceston Priory on community access
• To develop marketing materials to increase awareness

Medium term objectives (2/3years)
• To make the Town Hall a thriving centre for community activities
• To improve the income generated by Town Hall lettings
• To promote use of the Priory ruins for community events

Long term objectives (3 years +)
• To acquire adjoining land from British Gas to extend the Priory site

Lawrence House Management Committee
The Management Committee of the Lawrence House Museum consists of nine councillors, the Curator of the museum, the Chairman of the Friends of Lawrence House, representatives of the Stewards, the Town Archivist and the Town Clerk acting as Secretary and Treasurer. The museum is funded through a grant from the Town Council and from donations from visitors, as well as the occasional bequest. The Management Committee oversees the development of the museum and its collections, and is advised by the Curator.

Lawrence House itself is owned by the National Trust and leased to the Town Council on a 99 year lease from April 1992. The Town Council is Trustee of the house and in that capacity makes decisions about its maintenance and repair.

Strategic Objective
• To conserve and document evidence of the culture, history and natural history of Launceston and district, and to present it to the public through imaginative educational displays and events.

Short term objectives (1 year)
• To review the Constitution of the Management Committee
• To increase community use of the building especially the Mayor’s Parlour
• To improve the kitchen facilities

Medium term objectives (2/3years)
• To seek grant funding for a marquee for outside functions
• To encourage computerisation of the town archive

Long term objectives (3 years +)
• To make provision for those who cannot access the whole building
• To give future tenants of the flat a caretaker role

Planning and Economic Development Committee
The Committee considers all planning applications in the town and makes recommendations for approval or refusal to the Planning Committee of Cornwall Council. The committee’s terms of reference include Town Centre management, the Town Square and associated events and liaison with the Chamber of Commerce, to maximise the Town Council’s role in influencing the further development of the town.

Strategic Objectives
• To maintain a coherent view of the town’s long term future and to persuade Cornwall Council of its merits
• To ensure that all planning development is appropriate and beneficial
• To support the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce and other bodies in promoting beneficial economic development
• To work with local businesses for the benefit of the town

Short term objectives (1 year)
• To establish a rapport with the planning authority to ensure that local council views are given appropriate weighting in future decision making
• To use modern technology in planning meetings
• To liaise more closely with the Town Chamber of Commerce
• To promote use of the Town Square and Parade Ground for community events
• To identify an alternative use for the former Newport toilet block

Medium term objectives (2/3years)
• To preserve the historic character of the town
• To review existing plans to take account of changing conditions
• To monitor changes in legislation (eg The Community Right to Build) and to adapt as appropriate

Long term objectives (3 years +)
• Ensure long term development does not outstrip the infrastructure of the town
• Ensure that development plans are continually reviewed 

Environment and Open Spaces Committee
The committee is responsible for Launceston Cemetery, the closed cemetery at Dockacre Road, allotments at Dutson, Grammers Park and Kensey, King George's Playing Field (Priory Park) and Grammers Park. The brief includes the grass cutting and footpaths service agreements with Cornwall Council. The committee is also responsible for environmental issues affecting the town council and the town.

Strategic Objectives
• To maintain all open spaces to a high standard
• To minimise the Town Council’s carbon footprint through using less (energy, materials) and recycling more

Short term objectives (1 year)
• To continue to improve the standard of the allotment gardens
• To continue to improve play facilities in the town
• To make Launceston a Fairtrade Town
• To organise the annual Environment Day

Medium term objectives (2/3years)
• To purchase land to extend the cemetery
• To identify areas where the council can become ‘greener’
• To digitise the cemetery records
• To work with Residents Associations to help keep Launceston tidy

Long term objectives (3 years +)
• To be in a position to offer leadership on environmental issues
• To examine the possibilities of bringing Dockacre Cemetery back into use as a place for cremations or as a peace garden

Strategic Plan - Monitoring and evaluation
• The Strategic Plan will be reviewed annually
• Individual committees will continually review progress
• On-going dialogue with partner organisations and the community will take place