The following is the result of the initial SWOT exercise conducted at the meeting in the Corn Exchange.

STRENGTHS

* Centre for Tourism
* Well supported Young Farmers’ Club
* Caring, friendly community
* Well attended Bowling Club
* Good Schools
* Low crime rate
* Well situated between the Wolds and the sea
* New Youth Drop-in Centre, visited by the Countryside Job Bus
* Good Community facilities
* Wide range of voluntary organisations
* Good range of shops
* Two websites – Town Council and Community
* Good Library/IT Centre
* History of making things happen
* Chance to Share sports Hall at secondary school

WEAKNESSES

* Lack of activities for the young of all ages
* Shortage of car parking (especially free)
* Lack of new businesses coming to the area
* Poor communication links, especially to Lincoln. (Public transport)
* Poor infrastructure (housing, drainage)
* Rural isolation if not mobile
* Lack of local jobs
* Lack of swimming pool
* Business rates too high
* No Broadband
* Lack of support services – benefits, counselling etc
* Shortage of visitor bed space
* Inadequate doctors’ surgery (space) and need for a clinic
* Inadequate recycling facilities
* Inadequate Police presence
* Traffic, especially around the schools at drop off/pick up time

OPPORTUNITIES

* Situated in a Rural Priority/Objective 2 Area
* Develop the craft theme to become a centre for Lincolnshire
* Availability of land to develop additional car park and play area
* Both secondary schools to have specialist status and integrate with the whole community
* Develop incentives to attract more industrial development
* Explore Broadband, improve IT access
* Availability of brownfield sites for development(starter homes etc)
* Availability of underused buildings to develop for recreational use
* Extend use of Sports Hall
* Develop Tourism including Manor house

THREATS

* Reliance on two major employers
* Troublemakers from larger towns coming to Alford
* Over-development threatens Alford’s unique character and the infrastructure cannot cope
* Centralisation of Health services away from the town
* Flooding
* Out migration of the young
* Perceived threat of crime, especially at week-ends
* Increasing traffic through the town
* High business rates deter inward investment

If you have any comments please contact - James Trowsdale