DOVER TOWN CENTRE MANAGEMENT COMPANY LTD
BUSINESS PLAN
JANUARY 2006 – DECEMBER 2006
In the interests of compatibility and harmonious co-operation with Dover District Council, this plan is itemised under the 4 headings used by the Council for its own long-term objectives.
Our key aim is to follow a simple plan, with achievable outcomes, which will demonstrably benefit the town and the district, as a whole.
COMMUNITY:
Objective 1): To continue to address levels of crime and disorder and the fear of crime through ShopWatch and our award-winning Dover Partnership Against Crime (DPAC).
Synopsis:
TCM’s chairman and manager sit on steering committee and provide the treasurer, administrative services and training facilities. We work closely with our town centre constables and helped introduce the scheme to Deal
TCM’s chairman and manager sit on steering committee and provide the treasurer, administrative services and training facilities. We work closely with our town centre constables and helped introduce the scheme to DealObjective 2): To provide, promote and develop a range of social and leisure activities.
Synopsis:Activities include our annual paper-boat race, talent show, all-day Xmas Lights’ switch-on event, a range of social activities, including Gala Nights + supporting any charity event in the town including Rotary/Scout/hospital fete, Proms Night and carnival.
Activities include our annual paper-boat race, talent show, all-day Xmas Lights’ switch-on event, a range of social activities, including Gala Nights + supporting any charity event in the town including Rotary/Scout/hospital fete, Proms Night and carnival. Objective 3): To continue to promote social inclusion and the encouragement for communities to help themselves through volunteer activities.
Synopsis:This incorporates school/group talks and visits, clean-up projects, working with Age Concern, working with the Castle Street Society, hoteliers groups and others.
This incorporates school/group talks and visits, clean-up projects, working with Age Concern, working with the Castle Street Society, hoteliers groups and others.Objective 4): To continue to liaise with partners abroad where appropriate, using TCM’ linguistic and international experience.
Synopsis:This objective is largely underused at present. We believe that with appropriate leading partners, we should be following European funding opportunities. With Dover Athletic Football Club we are arranging the two-legged match against Calais, plus events in our two towns.
This objective is largely underused at present. We believe that with appropriate leading partners, we should be following European funding opportunities. With Dover Athletic Football Club we are arranging the two-legged match against Calais, plus events in our two towns.OPPORTUNITY and ACCESS:
Objective 5): To improve access to shops, services and information.
Synopsis: Ongoing liaison with DDC, Town Council, Dover Society, W.I. etc. TCM manager is Chairman of Dover Community Centre. Information circulation via TCM newsletters/press releases, media activities, Doverweb site and promotional events. We actively help businesses promote their own in-store events. To consider the provision of appropriate training for retailers/taxi companies etc. This will be as part of a co-ordinated town-centre business approach targeting the maximisation of the inward potential from cruise ships
Objective 6): To continue to support the provision of improved town infrastructure.
Synopsis: TCM is a member of the Port Consultative Committee, the KCC Priory Station improvement initiative, Police Liaison Group, DATA Group and Dover’s First-Impressions Group.
TCM is a member of the Port Consultative Committee, the KCC Priory Station improvement initiative, Police Liaison Group, DATA Group and Dover’s First-Impressions Group.REGENERATION:
Objective 7): To continue to encourage participation and improve education and skill levels through partnership working.
Synopsis:By providing work experience placements ourselves via our membership. By giving talks to schools and other groups.
By providing work experience placements ourselves via our membership. By giving talks to schools and other groups.Objective 8): To maximise and support the growth of the Port and recognise its benefits to the District.
Synopsis: We continue to investigate, with Dover Harbour Board, benefits to the district from those using the port. We have established close working links with some of the cruise companies, and have undertaken work on their behalf. We are investigating the cruise-terminal situation including improved access to/from port to the town, plus better tourist services in the town. This could include becoming a town-centre one-stop information point for guests and crew from the cruise liners. It could also incorporate working in conjunction with retailers and businesses to maximise cruise-related activities for the district.
We continue to investigate, with Dover Harbour Board, benefits to the district from those using the port. We have established close working links with some of the cruise companies, and have undertaken work on their behalf. We are investigating the cruise-terminal situation including improved access to/from port to the town, plus better tourist services in the town. This could include becoming a town-centre one-stop information point for guests and crew from the cruise liners. It could also incorporate working in conjunction with retailers and businesses to maximise cruise-related activities for the district. Objective 9): To work with local businesses and tourism partners to improve the District as a key visitor destination.
Synopsis:Working with DDC for town activities and with bodies such as WCTA. Continuing our lobbying re road/rail inadequacies.
Working with DDC for town activities and with bodies such as WCTA. Continuing our lobbying re road/rail inadequacies. Objective 10): To work with DDC and other agencies to improve the town’s infrastructure.
Synopsis: We plan to launch PropertyWatch in co-operation with DDC. This will involve a planned visit to the successful scheme run by Hastings’ TCM. It will also include investigations concerning improvements to empty shops and to run-down buildings.
We plan to launch PropertyWatch in co-operation with DDC. This will involve a planned visit to the successful scheme run by Hastings’ TCM. It will also include investigations concerning improvements to empty shops and to run-down buildings.Objective 11): To liaise closely with business and with DDC concerning a sympathetic planning procedure that would help encourage a vibrant district.
Synopsis: Dover is considered, by some developers, to be an extremely difficult environment in which to work. We wish to encourage a closer, more flexible and harmonious working relationship between DDC and planned developments, where these benefit the town and district.
Dover is considered, by some developers, to be an extremely difficult environment in which to work. We wish to encourage a closer, more flexible and harmonious working relationship between DDC and planned developments, where these benefit the town and district.ENVIRONMENT:
Objective 12): To continue to encourage and to educate schools and other organisations, with regard to waste minimisation, and litter avoidance
Synopsis: This involves RiverWatch, the “Just Bin It” campaign with McDonalds and DDC, and giving talks and presentations to schools and groups.
This involves RiverWatch, the “Just Bin It” campaign with McDonalds and DDC, and giving talks and presentations to schools and groups.Objective 13): RiverWatch – to continue to protect and to enhance the River Dour and to encourage and support green areas and wildlife habitats in towns and to conserve the built environment.
Synopsis: RiverWatch was publicly launched in April 2003. It has received wide and ongoing support and media coverage. To date, the project involves, amongst others, DDC, Boots, the Coop, B&Q, Channel Angling, the Dover Society, Town Council, McDonalds, SeaFrance, Gala Bingo, schools and brownies.
RiverWatch was publicly launched in April 2003. It has received wide and ongoing support and media coverage. To date, the project involves, amongst others, DDC, Boots, the Coop, B&Q, Channel Angling, the Dover Society, Town Council, McDonalds, SeaFrance, Gala Bingo, schools and brownies.GENERAL:
Objective 14): To maintain our “open door” policy to all members of the community.
Objective 15): To act as “eyes and ears” in the town, at grass-roots level. To pass on to the appropriate authority concerns/worries/complaints received from our 100 + visitors per week.
Objective 16): To maintain our guarantee that all inward communications will receive at least an initial reply within 24 hours of receipt.
Objective 17): To continue to seek sponsorship and grants that enable TCM to remain viable financially and those that will provide funded-projects that benefit the town and district.
Objective 18): To remain open-minded to any reasonable suggestion for the district’s improvement, and to be prepared to become actively involved as required.
Objective 19): To formulate, in conjunction with our partners, a system of assessment to monitor our progress and to ensure that objectives and targets are being progressed or met.
Objective 20): To continue to harness and to co-ordinate the thousands of volunteer man-hours from which we and the town benefit.
