The Introductory statement outlines both the potential and drawbacks of Bletchley's current situation and describes the limitations of the actions which can be taken.
1.1 Potential
1.1.1 Bletchley has always had a role as a transport nexus. This role will be revived if the proposed East-West rail link comes to full fruition.
1.1.2 Bletchley is on the south side of Milton Keynes and as such is closer to London. But for the factors mentioned below, the relative proximity to London should offer relative advantages for business location and property prices. It is the first part of Milton Keynes seen by most visitors with a consequent significance to the image of the new town. It lies close to relatively affluent areas of countryside. It will also have a significant role if the planned expansion of Milton Keynes goes ahead. The latter may have dangers as well as advantages.
1.1.3 The development of Bletchley Park as a museum with a technology emphasis is expected to give a clearer identity to the town, attract visitors with money to spend and by implication attract innovative industries.
1.1.4 The expansion of Milton Keynes College in Bletchley as a result of closing the Wolverton site should help to enhance the development of technical skills.
1.2 Underlying Problems
While Milton Keynes as a whole generally had an employment surplus, the south-west quadrant has historically had an employment deficit. Bletchley as a whole has an ageing population compared with Milton Keynes as a whole and has lower income levels. East Bletchley and, in particular, the Lakes Estate is the one of the areas of greatest social deprivation in Milton Keynes. This impacts on West Bletchley. There are also pockets of deprivation in West Bletchley itself. These problems are compounded because
1.2.1 Much employment that does exist in the area tends to be low skill and often temporary and/or part-time in nature.
1.2.2 The demands of the facilities in the new town actually seem to drain resources from the older areas such as Bletchley.
1.2.3 One consequence is that the area will tend to attract (or have allocated) residents whose who will accept lower standards in services, employment and their environment.
1.2.4 Younger people with ambition, initiative and ability will tend to seek their future elsewhere.
1.2.5 Because of cost and the inadequacy of public transport, commuting is only an option for the better paid and, therefore, more skilled.
1.2.6 The social support structure for Milton Keynes as a whole will tend to be oriented towards the needs of young families whereas Bletchley's needs are oriented more towards the elderly and the deprived in all age ranges.
These factors unless arrested would give Bletchley very much the profile of an undeveloped country dependent on social security and the income of the better paid earned outside the area. This imported income will not be ploughed into the community but exported in return for goods and services which are also provided externally.
1.3 Objectives
It is important to understand that there is a limit to what a Neighbourhood or Parish Council can achieve on its own. Our main aim must be to influence other bodies through the planning process and other means. This should not be confined to Milton Keynes Council but should involve talking to other public and commercial organisations. We are currently involved with the SRB Board, the Bletchley Partnership and the Interagency Meeting. We have not been wholly successful in setting up dialogues with local businesses whether large or small. It is expected that limited expenditure may be directed towards publicising West Bletchley. This includes not only publications but events. We should be seeking partnerships so that a small expenditure on our part can direct much larger expenditure into West Bletchley. Together with environmental measures promoted by the Council we should seek to present West Bletchley as a good place to live and work both to potential residents and new businesses. Policies need to centre around the potential of Bletchley Park and the railway station and the development of technical skills. We should be particularly aware of the development of teleworking and on-line distance learning.