The Town Council's aim is to improve in the range and quality of services it provides to the residents of Carterton. In particular we seek to:

1. Quality Services

   The Council provides a number of services to the local population. It will seek to ensure that these services meet the needs of the local population and that they represent value for money. The Council welcomes the involvement of residents in its decision making process and will consult residents on issues of importance. The Council will work with WODC and OCC to ensure a co-ordinated approach to issues of mutual interest.

2. Encourage Partnership/Sponsorship Approach and Funding

   The Town Council is one of many organisations working within the Community. We should encourage investment of both time and resources by other agencies to help achieve our objectives. We should join forces with the County and District Councils and with the business community, voluntary bodies and local residents associations for the benefit of the community. We will facilitate and encourage sponsorship wherever this is appropriate.

3. Development of the Town Centre

   It is widely recognised that the centre of Carterton needs to be developed further. The continued planned growth in the population of the Town over the next ten years will increase the demand for employment and retail opportunities within the Town.
   
   The Local Plan identifies the southwest quadrant of the town for redevelopment. Part of this quadrant, the old market site, has changed ownership twice in two years. The Town Council will work with all the landowners to seek to achieve the type of mixed retail development that residents have indicated they wish to see.
   
   The out of centre application from Sainsburys was due to be decided by WODC before the end of 2009 and the Council hopes that the developer will come forward with a plan during the early part of 2010. Meanwhile, the Council will meet developers and food retailers to ensure that all are aware of our aspirations for the town centre. The Town Council will continue to run the market on its town centre site. We will consider ways of developing the market and of making it more visually appealing. We will try to establish a market in the Local Centre on the NE Carterton estate.
   
   We will actively pursue the installation of cost effective CCTV and/or additional PCSOs in the town centre and at the local centre on the new estate.
   
   We will undertake environmental improvements in the town centre with increased planting.
   
   We will explore the possibility of phasing out plastic bags in the town.

4. Employment

   The Council wants to increase the number and range of employment opportunities found within the town.
   
   The Council welcomes investment in the expansion of RAF Brize Norton as this is the largest employer in the town. The Council welcomes the success of Ventura Park and will actively encourage the development of other sites where units can be purchased. We will look to encourage aeronautical industries on the back of the expansion of RAF Brize Norton. We will press WODC to improve the SE Carterton Industrial estate and look to identify new land for employment.

5. Law and Order

   The Town Council will work with the Police and other agencies to reduce vandalism and criminal activity within the Town. We will consider the provision of a graffiti wall at an appropriate location. The Council notes that Carterton is a pilot area for a Neighbourhood Action Group and welcomes recent increases in police on the streets. Antisocial behaviour and vandalism continue to be a problem and particular emphasis will be given to addressing the problems being experienced on property and land owned by the Town Council, such as at the Skateboard Park at The Dell. The Council welcomes the decriminalization of traffic offences and looks forward to Carterton having an allocated traffic warden.

6. Public Services

   The Town Council welcomes the introduction of post 16 education at the Community College and hopes this can be expanded. We will also continue to make a strong case for a Fire Station in Carterton and have identified a possible site for a fire station.
   
   We will continue to look for opportunities to widen the range of the services we provide to residents on behalf of OCC and WODC.

   Leisure and Recreation

   The Council is committed to increasing recreational activities for all age groups and, in particular, activities for teenagers, the elderly and the infirm. We have a well-established Youth Council which helps to advise us and we will continue to expand and develop the role of the Youth Councillors.
   
   The Council will continue to press for the provision of the second phase of the leisure centre and we welcome the fact that a recent WODC audit has recognised the need for more dry side facilities in the town.
   
   The Council notes an improvement in the condition of the new pitches at Monahan Way. We recognise the need for more land for use as allotments and will try to find suitable sites to lease or purchase. We welcome the possible provision of allotment land by David Wilson Homes. We will press for s106 money with which to fund such a purchase. The Council has provided a major new community centre on the local centre in North East Carterton for the use of all the residents of the town. The centre is leased to an independent management company which will continue to develop the centre to meet the needs of the whole community.
   
   The Council recognises that, following advice from central government, there have been changes to the way play opportunities are provided. We have developed a play policy and are now working with the RAF to provide varied and challenging play opportunities across the town. We will refurbish The Maples play area and the play area on the Alvescot Road Recreation Ground.
   
   We will continue to support recreational activities such as Xtreme Wheels and the 10K Road Run. We will provide administrative support for charity fund raising events such as Open Gardens. We would welcome approaches from other charities looking to establish fund raising events. We will consider establishing a Carter Day which would form the basis of a town wide community event.

7. Highways

   Although not a Highways Authority, the Town Council recognises that highways issues are of considerable concern to local residents. Through the Traffic Advisory Committee, the Town Council will press for various traffic calming measures within Carterton. During 2010 we aim to produce an integrated transport survey which will inform long term spending priorities.
   
   The Council will actively encourage the use of alternative forms of transport and improved public transport. We want to ensure that there is a bus link onto the NE Carterton estate. Working with RAF Brize Norton, we will develop an integrated approach to cycle routes and work with OCC to implement these.
   
   The Council welcomes Monahan Way, which was built as part of the northeast development, and we support its completion which will provide a link to the Shilton Road. We continue to believe that a new road to the east should be a top priority. We have asked OCC to accurately cost the provision of a westerly access onto the A40 at Minster Lovell. The Town Council feels that such improvements should have first call on any future s106 money arising from new housing developments.
   
   We welcome the fact that planning approval has been secured for a pub/restaurant in the town but are disappointed by the lack of progress with this. We will therefore seek to find an alternative edge of town site for such a facility and discuss with possible developers once the economy improves.
   
   We will work with OCC and WODC to see if we can establish a more cost effective way of carrying out minor repairs and maintenance of the highway.

8. Major Developments

   Discussions about the future expansion of the town continue. The Town Council has made a case for up to 1,000 new houses by 2026 and this is being considered by WODC as part of the Local Development Framework.
   
   If development is approved, we will seek to influence s106 agreements at an early stage. We will also be looking for areas of open space for recreational purposes. The Council will ensure that areas of amenity land for which it is to be responsible are well designed and easy to maintain.

   Individual Developments

   The Council will seek to ensure that new developments are in keeping with the architecture of the town and that highway and other issues are considered.
   
   The Council will oppose the erection of communication masts where these are considered to be too close to residential areas or educational establishments.

9. New Cemetery Site

   The existing cemetery at Black Bourton was extended in 2004 and will provide space for another 10 years. The Council will continue to look for a new site for a cemetery but recognises that this will probably only be achieved as part of an s106 agreement following new housing development.

10. Nature Conservation Sites

    The Council, together with Community Groups and voluntary organisations, will look to develop and preserve areas such as Willow Meadows and The Dell. We will seek to balance the competing demands of recreation and conservation.

11. Landholdings

    The Council owns various parcels of land within the Town. It will manage these in such a way as to secure value for money for the local ratepayers whilst also protecting open spaces which would otherwise be at risk of development. We will register our landholdings with the Land Registry.

12. Increase the awareness of Carterton

    The Council wants to raise the profile of the town but is aware that this task will be easier once it can offer a wider range of facilities. Individual events are promoted and coverage has improved. The Town Council has a website as does the Youth Council.
    
    The Council publishes an Annual Report. A quarterly Newsletter summarising the Council's activities is circulated to the residents of Carterton.
    
    The Council will develop communications with local residents with regular articles in the Carterton Community Magazine and by disseminating information through its website and through articles in the local press and on radio etc.
    
    The Council will continue to appoint representatives to serve on a wide range of outside organisations. The Mayor has revitalized the St George's Day Celebrations.
    
    We have produced a draft community engagement strategy which we will keep under review
    
    Council staff will maximise the use of IT resources making increasing use of email and developing further the website. Increasingly we are producing publicity material in-house.

13. Review of this Document

    The Council will review this Vision Statement every two years to ensure that our priorities reflect those of the local residents.