LAUNCESTON Town Council has agreed to ‘develop a guiding vision for Launceston’ — which will involve engaging the community to produce a plan for the town.

Cllr Roger Creagh-Osborne presented his proposal for a ‘Launceston Matters’ group to the September meeting of the town council.

His report reads: “Launceston is a friendly and good place to live, work, play and visit, located at the primary welcome and farewell point for Cornwall. Launceston Matters works to improve our town for residents and to nurture our local identity and promote the town.”

He said the Launceston Matters group would include a range of themes and specific projects.

His initial ideas, as outlined in the report, included ten areas of work: ‘Work Lanson’ — to identify employment needs; ‘Learn Lanson’ — engaging education opportunities; ‘Visit Lanson’ — targeting visitors; ‘Connect Lanson’ — looking at developing town trails, walk/cycle opportunities; ‘Creative Lanson’ — increase the range of cultural and creative activities; ‘Healthy Lanson’ — ensure resources meet current and future needs; ‘Living in Lanson’ — supporting small scale affordable new build and self build on a community basis; ‘Supply Lanson’ — looking at the sustainability of the retail environment; ‘Grow Lanson’ — putting consumers in touch with the source of their food; ‘Energy Lanson’ — exploring ways to develop available local energy resources for community benefit.

Cllr Creagh-Osborne continued: “It is recognised that different areas of the town have different problems and needs,” and idenitified four broad geographical areas — ‘Heart of Lanson’, ‘Riverbanks Lanson’, ‘Northside Lanson’ and ‘Southside Lanson’.

The first task of the group will be to run a launch event in the Town Hall, to assess the level of interest and support from local people. Cllr Creagh-Osborne said he hoped this event would lead on to the formation of a number of working groups to develop specific proposals.

He told councillors: “There are many issues in the town that people are potentially interested in.”

Cllr Val Bugden-Cawsey said: “I think anything which engages the community in the decision making process for its future should be taken forward.”

Councillors agreed to the proposals, including forming a ‘town strategy steering group’ as a sub-committee to facilitate the creation of a town-wide Launceston Matters group.

After the launch event, the steering group will report back to the town council on progress and further action proposals.

Within one year of the launch event, the steering group will produce a first draft ‘Launceston Vision’ for the town council, pulling together everyone’s ideas.

LAUNCESTON residents of all ages are being asked to share their ideas for the area’s future at a free event in the town hall.

Launceston Matters will welcome people in to discuss their ideas, browse stalls, take part in activities and enjoy a bar and local food.

Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor for Launceston South Jade Farrington said: “If you’ve always thought the town is crying out for a particular project or facility then this is your chance to make a difference. Launceston Matters is designed to involve the whole community in putting together a plan for every aspect of the town’s future — from the creative industries, heritage and sport to shopping and transport.

“We’re all determined that this isn’t going to be bureaucratic and council-dominated. It’s about interesting and inspiring ideas, which can make Launceston an even better place to live. We want to hear from everyone, from primary school children to teenagers to business owners and older people. Launceston is our community and we all have a part to play in shaping what we want to be as a town.”

Town councillor Val Bugden-Cawsey said she was excited to hear from people, whatever their ideas.

She said: “It’s your chance to engage. Whether you’ve got a great plan for a community project or want to see the development of a facility in or around the town, or you just want to come and enjoy the activities and find out more, we’re looking forward to welcoming you to Launceston Town Hall.

“We’re eager to engage with sports clubs, the voluntary sector, hobby groups, businesses, students, ordinary residents and everyone else who has a stake in the town.”

Launceston Matters will put together a report based on the ideas submitted at the event and use this to apply for funding to ensure projects actually happen. Anyone with a strong interest in a particular area or idea is invited to join one of the working groups tasked with bringing them to fruition.

Stephen Howard, who runs local educational charity V Learning Net, said: “I’m very pleased to be involved in this and I urge other organisations and individuals to come along and take part. There’s a real chance here to gain grant funding and drive our town forward, but we can only do it if we all work together and listen to the whole community. We often moan that money isn’t spent in East Cornwall so this is our chance to change that. This isn’t a talking shop — it’s about real action.”

The event takes place in The Guildhall from 10am to 3.30pm on Saturday, November 12, which is the day of the town market, and 11.30am to 3.30pm on Sunday, November 13. The Sunday has been organised to follow on from the Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service. The Launceston Matters group hopes as many people as possible will attend.

Terry Sully, chair of the Royal British Legion’s Launceston Branch, said: “It’s always brilliant to see the huge support the town gives to Remembrance Sunday. I would encourage all those who take part in the parade or line the streets to join us all in the town hall afterwards and continue their support for Launceston and its people, past, present and future.”

All of the town’s pay and display car parks are free all day on Sunday, and Saturday parking is £1 all day in the Walkhouse and Upper Cattle Market car parks.

Local organisations and businesses are being invited to run activity stalls and advertise what they do to the wider community. For more details, or to book an activity stall for an organisation or business, call Launceston Town Council on 01566 773693 or email [email protected]