27 April 2017
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Cork Senator Tim LombardCarrigaline based Fine Gael Senator, Tim Lombard, has said that the newly announced framework for Town Centre renewal will be of enormous benefit to towns and villages throughout Cork.
The framework aims to address the need for greater collaboration and support for town centre renewal across the country, with a particular emphasis on the role that the business community can play in collaboration with Local Authorities and other key stakeholders in setting a town on a sustainable path towards vitality and vibrancy.
“The Framework sets out a practical step by step action plan for the stakeholders in the community to work collaboratively to enhance their local town or village. It will be a key support document for towns and villages applying for funding under the recently launched Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
“The Action Plan, included in the Framework for Town Centre Renewal, provides a structure for collaborative partnerships among stakeholders to achieve successful town centre renewal, whether a large town or small village. It involves three key steps:
Step 1 – Stakeholder Engagement and Health Check:
This involves understanding your town and the key stakeholders, identifying strengths and weaknesses, challenges and opportunities.
Step 2 – Establish a Town Centre Management Partnership or “Town Team”:
This will have the support of all the stakeholders involved at step one.
Step 3 – Prepare and implement a Town Centre Plan:
The Plan should clearly express the vision for the town, the actions required, and who is responsible for what.
“Most importantly, the Framework includes an Action Plan for Town Centre Renewal which is intended to be a blueprint for towns and villages; specifying the key characteristics of a successful town centre, identifying existing supports and best practice examples from around the country, as well as guiding them through the three stages of town centre renewal.” concluded Senator Lombard
