The document concludes by summarising a programme of activities needed to promote development in the area. Joint initiatives with other bodies including those outside the normal sphere of local government are recommended.
9.1 Influencing Other Bodies
The main channel of influencing economic process is through the planning process. Our council must as far as possible encourage rather than deter favourable development. However, we must be aware that there are types of investment which are more favourable and such investment is more likely to respond positively to a favourable environment. Nonetheless, there are trade-offs where sacrifices must be made for the general good. To avoid appearing negative we should seek early discussion. We must also maintain channels which allow us to influence the policy of Milton Keynes Council and of SEEDA.
In other bodies on which we are represented, such as the revised regeneration board for Central Bletchley, the SRB board and the Interagency meeting we should be pro-active in promoting policy.
9.2 Activities
The basic requirement is already basic council policy in that the most helpful objective is to make West Bletchley a pleasant place to live and work. Maps and leaflets to encourage inward investment should promote the area. Events aimed at the commercial sectors we wish to encourage should be promoted. A competition for a suitable slogan should be promoted through the West Bletchley Chronicle. The needs of local business should be identified by survey. Expenditure by the council to promote the development of West Bletchley need not be committed in isolation. Joint initiatives with local business or co-operation with local and national organisations both commercial and voluntary should be sought. The council should seek to promote further education by grants and facilities for I.T. training and distance learning. This may be furthered as part of a policy of seeking the better utilisation of community premises in West Bletchley. The council should encourage voluntary groups particularly where young people are involved. Direct investment in Community Transport should be considered to satisfy vulnerable groups and the needs of the area generally.
9.3 General Comment
EDAW is a broad-brush outline. This policy document is intended to provide an approach, which will enable the community to take advantage of developments. It is inevitable that these activities may be take a long time to get off the ground. Many and perhaps the majority will be unsuccessful. But even minor successes will bring a more than ample dividend to our residents. Moreover, even unsuccessful endeavours will help to focus attention on the needs of Bletchley. If Bletchley is regenerated we will never be sure that is our effort that is responsible. If it is not we can be sure that we have not done enough.