Witney News - Council continues to support Carterton action plan

Council continues to support Carterton action plan

The District Council is to part-fund the Carterton Fast Forward Project Manger post for another year. The cost of the post is £14,000 and this will be shared with the Town Council.

The 'Carterton Fast Forward Towards 2010' action plan was published July 2003. It was a culmination of ideas following a market town 'health check' and it contains over 45 projects and actions to support and increase the vitality of the community. These range from environmental improvements to developing more shops in the town centre.

In September 2003 Catherine Chater was appointed Project Manager for 3 years, to work with the community to implement the action plan. She is based at the Town Hall and works closely with the Town Council. Her day to day work is supported by the Carterton Fast Forward Steering Group, and she also reports back periodically to a wider Carterton Fast Forward Partnership meeting.

A request for continued funding for the Project Manager post was made to the District Council by Carterton Town Council. “There are, in particular, two projects that will benefit greatly from Catherine's continuing involvement,” explains Janet Eustace, Carterton Town Clerk. “These are the redevelopment of the town centre and the construction of the community facility.”

Cllr Verena Hunt, Cabinet Member for Planning at West Oxfordshire District Council said, “A great deal of good work has already been done and a lot more is coming to fruition, particularly the community hall, which will be an excellent facility for Carterton. Taking the action plan forward will certainly be helped if
there is a Project Manager in place.”