DID you know that these days all local authorities are required to formally outline their plans and actions for the coming year?

We do this by producing what's called a 'Best Value Performance Plan.'

The Council's version is called the Bolton Plan. In the plan we focus on a number of key priorities, and in each issue of

Scene we have been focusing on them. This issue we focus on: 'Supporting the local economy.'

Bolton's Economic

Development Zone

Recently Bolton was successful in winning £10.6m from Europe to boost investment and employment in the area.

The money is European Regional Development Funding for a new Economic Development Zone. This is an initiative aimed at stimulating employment growth around key sites in the west of the borough.

And it will be an extension of the existing and successful Bolton WIDE partnership that has been attracting investment to the Horwich, Middlebrook, Wingates and Lostock areas of the borough in recent years.

To ensure that job opportunities are accessible to people in areas of high unemployment, funding will be available for improving public transport links to and within the Zone.

Any enquiries can be made to Simon Godley, the EDZ manager on 01204 336141.

Southern Gateway Initiative

A £2 million plus initiative is bringing improvements to the town's Southern Gateway - the area between the Town Hall and the Water Place.

The cost of the improvements has been split three ways among the Council, private sector companies and European funding.

The work includes changes to Nelson Square which has been extensively refurbished with the surrounding streets re-paved in traditional, natural materials and the area in front of the War Memorial extended, remodelled and replanted.

And one of the four model elephants has had major surgery on one of its back legs!

The final phase of the improvements will be the installation of a series of ceramic features illustrating aspects of the history of the area and an artist designed lighting feature at Newport Arcade.

For more information on the Bolton Plan, contact Joanne Horrocks on 01204 331003 or visit our website www.bolton.gov.uk