Market and Coastal Towns Initiative
Government, in passing the local Government Act 2000, set the agenda for addressing issues of social inclusion and community partnership and placed a duty on local Authorities to prepare community strategies. The purpose of these strategies should be to promote the economic, social and environmental well being of communities in an integrated and sustainable way and with the active involvement of local people. The MCTi process is intended to help deliver this strategic approach across the District and the County.
The South West of England Regional Development Agency is the leading regional partner in the delivery of the Market and Coastal Towns initiative.
It aims to help Market and Coastal towns and their surrounding parishes identify priorities for the future of their area, to gain the skills necessary to take action, and then to develop their plans. At a regional level the initiative will help co-ordinate activity of local and regional agencies and provide a ‘gateway’ to funding programmes.
The aim of the MCTi is to create vibrant, healthy and sustainable market and coastal towns by helping local communities and their partners to:
• Prepare community strategy plans, balancing the economic, social and environmental aspects of their community life in their towns and surrounding rural areas.
• Develop the skills, strengths and knowledge needed to be effective partners; Share good ideas and learn from local, regional, national and international experience
• Secure the funding and professional assistance to turn the plans into reality.
Lostwithiel achieved Market and Coastal Town Status in 2002 and is one of nine MCTi towns in Cornwall, with five more awaiting inclusion.
Those surrounding parishes that have either produced or are producing their plans are doing so supported by the Countryside Agency’s Vital Villages Scheme. Some of the Lostwithiel Plans and priorities are specific to Lostwithiel whilst others either relate closely to the surrounding parishes or to the wider strategy for Restormel, Caradon or Cornwall as a whole.
Golant/St Sampson have completed their parish plan, St Winnow/St Veep are looking to make a start. Lanlivery are also starting the process and Luxulyan completed a survey 3 years ago which they have developed into their Parish Plan.