LAUNCESTON Forum, following a lengthy period of consultation, published the Launceston 20/20 Community Strategic Plan in 2004.

The plan was written for, and following consultation with, the community of Launceston and the 21 surrounding parishes that look to Launceston as their local town.

It is rewarding to see that a number of projects, that were proposed in the original plan, have been delivered. For instance pedestrianisation of the town square, provision of a centrally located bus station, market stalls for the town Square, refurbishment of the Zig-Zag path, improved play facilities, improvements to sporting facilities in new floodlit tennis courts and a multi-use games area.

Also, at present, Launceston Town Council is refurbishing the Town Hall and turning it into a more user friendly venue and plans are underway for the Camel/Tarka link multi-use track to be extended through Launceston.

All of these projects were made possible by a number of groups putting in a lot of time and effort, but they were all helped because they had the required 'evidence of need' from the Launceston Community Strategy 2020 document.

We are now in a period of change, with a new unitary authority and Cornwall, parish and town councillors working together with community groups and statutory authorities to form a Community Network.

The purpose of the community network is to:

● Enable all sections of the community to express their views on local issues, service and plans for the future;

● Provide a focus for local partnership working;

● Hold services to account and ensure they are responsive to local needs;

● Develop community plans and programmes to improve the area;

● Involve local communities in helping to shape and improve services;

● Identify, agree and then assist in the development/delivery of local priorities.

Launceston Forum, with the backing of the Launceston area Cornwall Councillors and the Community Network Manager Mark O'Brien, is starting the process of reviewing and updating the Launceston 20/20 Community Strategic Plan.

The first step in this process is to consult with all the parish and town councils, members of Launceston Forum, community groups and the general public to establish their priorities. These priorities will then lead to a Consultation Day, which will give a wide range of people the opportunity to give their opinions.

We have also set up a website with further details of this consultation on http://www.launcestonforum.org.uk">www.launcestonforum.org.uk. This site will be regularly updated with responses and will provide the facility for you to add your opinions by way of an email link. For those without access to the internet please write to me at The Launceston Forum, c/o Launceston College, Hurdon Road, Launceston, Cornwall. PL15 9JR.

I would ask through the pages of The 'Post' for your readers to identify their priorities in areas such as:

● Employment and Economic Regeneration ;

● Infrastructure Community Services;

● Housing;

● The Town Centre;

● Tourism and Marketing;

● In view of current concerns we think that 'Environment', 'Learning and Skills', 'Police / Crime' and 'Health' should be added to that list, but we would like your readers' opinions and your readers' priorities.

We are in a period of economic restraint and our Community Strategy review must be realistic, but there is funding available, if not from central and local government, then from charitable foundations and other funders. To access this funding, however, we need to work together and prove the needs and priorities of the whole community.

Thank you for taking the time to read this; if you would like any more information please let me know. I would welcome any reply by March 15, 2010.

As finances are limited we are only providing updates electronically (via the website and email) and so would ask you to provide an email address so that we can keep you informed as to progress.

Peter Casey,Chair, Launceston Forum.