BY CONOR SHARKEY

STRABANE District Council laid out its vision for the future this week, with the launch of their four year corporate plan.

Under the Review of Public Administration, Strabane was due to amalgamate with several other councils to form a much larger body in 2009. That however has now been pushed back until 2011. Meanwhile, a decision on just how many bodies the current 26 council structure will finally be broken into is not due until January next year.

This delay has extended the life of the current councils, prompting Strabane to lay out what it plans to do in the run up to 2011 and what legacy it will leave behind when the merger eventually happens.

And while the physicality of Strabane District Council will come to an end in four years time, Chief Executive Philip Faithfull's message at the launch of the corporate plan on Tuesday was simple - 'Don't write us off yet'.

In their plan, Strabane District Council have vowed to continue with their strong environmental policy. The reduction of carbon emissions and continued monitoring of recycled waste will remain central to their goals.

Other issues which the local body have vowed to enhance include the delivery of services and the promotion of the Strabane District in Ireland and across the world.

In their four year plan, the council also promise to make use of unused assets for the betterment of the people of the area, prior to the finances being swallowed by the amalgamation.

IMPORTANT

Speaking at Tuesday's launch, Mr Faithfull explained: "This is a very important day for Strabane District Council. Today we present a document that sets out to the community what we intend to do over the next few years. We want to provide high quality services and strong civic leadership. We want to work with others. We want to strenuously promote Strabane District as an excellent place to live, work, invest and visit. This is our vision. This is our mission. This is our promise to the people of Strabane District.

"We have consulted with many people in the preparation of this plan. We have collectively examined what kind of legacy we will leave behind. We have looked at how we can position, protect and promote the interests of our people. We have listened to those who have asked us to cater for our rural towns and villages. We have listened to those who have asked for an increased focus on youth and sport. We have put in place measures to respond to those expectations through this corporate strategy. We are reviewing and preparing our estate. We are deploying our assets in the best possible way. We are preparing our people and this district before merging into another structure," Mr Faithfull told the audience.

The Chief Executive added that while the document does not include everything that Strabane District Council does, it focuses on the big picture.

"It will focus on the areas that will make a big difference to the quality of life for our residents, our businesses, our community and our visitors," he said.

Mr Faithfull concluded: "We have the document and a way forward. But this just the tip of the iceberg. I hope you have noticed an improvement and I'm hope for a bigger and brighter future here in Strabane. Don't count us out yet. There's still a lot of work to be done," he said.

Copies of the corporate plan are available on Strabane District Council's website www.strabanedc.com; or free copies can be posted out if you contact the Council's Corporate Policy Officer on 028 71 381341 or via email to rcraig@strabanedc.com