COUNTRY TOWNS INITIATIVE - FUTURE PROGRAMME

1. The Country Towns Initiative programme was established in 1990 and has a broad aim to improve the environmental, commercial and economic attractiveness of rural centres by implementing environmental enhancements, improving safety and making the centres more attractive and functional places to live, work and shop. The programme reflects Government strategies and links to a number of the aims of the County Council's Corporate Strategy.

2. There is a three year rolling programme with a budget provision of £256,000 per annum. Approval of the programme for 2004/05 was given on 24 June 2003 as follows:-

2003/04

Romsey, Church Place
Alton Town Centre
Hythe Promenade
Fordingbridge Market Place


Schemes for 2004/05 and 2005/06 were approved on 15 October 2003, subject to the availability of finance, as follows:-

2004/05

Hythe Promenade

Romsey, Church Place

Andover High Street

Odiham Town Centre

Supplementary Schemes: Fordingbridge Market Place 2

2005/06

Odiham Town Centre

Supplementary Schemes: Swanmore Centre

(An amount of £6,000 remains unallocated at this time)

8ER471003