Colchester Borough Council has four key elements of heritage, culture, education and military excellence, Colchester has a unique place on the map of the East of England.

As Britain's oldest recorded town - it was the administrative centre of Roman Britain - it has a heritage of national importance. The modern borough of Colchester also has a large and rich rural hinterland. This makes it an obvious visitor attraction.

Colchester has a rare opportunity to develop a vibrant future because of its strategic position and the availability of brownfield land. Colchester is seen as a logical centre for commerce, shopping and visitors. Strategically positioned close to the Haven Ports of Harwich, Ipswich and Felixstowe and on the A12, it is close enough to London to provide good business opportunities at an economic rate.

It is a natural centre for the surrounding rural areas of north Essex and south Suffolk and beyond.

Colchester has a fast-growing population and is set for further expansion. It is a relatively prosperous borough, with low levels of crime and few of the problems associated with urban living, and is seen as a desirable place to live.

To build on these qualities, and to maximise the potential of the borough, Colchester Borough Council has established its vision for the future - to ensure that Colchester becomes the prestige town of the East of England by 2015.

In order to achieve this, the council has three priorities:

> To promote economic prosperity and tackle deprivation:

Resources are being focused on achieving regeneration in the borough. There are four large projects which will provide prestige new buildings, transport facilities, up to 7,500 new jobs, nearly 5,000 new homes and new community, health and education facilities. The council has also been shortlisted for beacon status for its work in tackling homelessness.

> To ensure the quality of life expected of a prestige town:

It is investing in its council homes to meet the government decent homes standard. It is also promoting the borough and emphasising its major attractions whilst protecting the heritage and natural environment. The council is committed to promoting equal opportunities for access and participation.

To be the cleanest and greenest borough in the country:

It has challenging recycling targets - a 40 per cent recycling rate by 2004 and 60 per cent by 2007. It also promotes alternative means of travel and encourages greater use of improved public transport.

Today Colchester is culturally impressive as well as historically important. As well as being a centre for music and theatre, it is home of the region's leading contemporary visual arts organisation Firstsite which operates a gallery from the Minories building. In 2007 Firstsite will evolve into a £15m arts attraction of national and international importance set in a new building designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects.

Address
PO Box 5215,
Town Hall,
Colchester
Essex
CO1 1GG

Tel: 01206 282222
Email: customerservicecentre@colchester.gov.uk