A BLUEPRINT for improvements and innovations over the next year in Ipswich has been outlined by town bosses.Key objectives and developments have been highlighted by Ipswich Borough Council as part of its 10- year plan, called Taking Ipswich Forward.

A BLUEPRINT for improvements and innovations over the next year in Ipswich has been outlined by town bosses.

Key objectives and developments have been highlighted by Ipswich Borough Council as part of its 10- year plan, called Taking Ipswich Forward.

The authority's best value performance plan for 2002/03 lays out its achievements during the past year and its aims for 2003/04.

They include cutting down on crime, improving health and welfare and promoting and expanding the town's hi-tech business sector.

But one of the biggest challenges, according to council leader Peter Gardiner, is coping with the kind of job cuts that have hit the town over the past year.

The plan aims to create a clean, safe and attractive environment while encouraging development and public transport and protecting beauty spots.

It also details goals to provide excellent care facilities for residents and encourage people to use sports and health facilities.

Labour councillor Mr Gardiner said one of the biggest challenges was providing enough housing in a town with "tight" boundaries and a growing population.

One of the council's key objectives is to promote and develop the Ipswich Village area, which is close to the football club, and to continue the regeneration of the town's historic waterfront.

New offices have also been established to attract more businesses to the Cambridge-to-Ipswich hi-tech corridor.

But Mr Gardiner admitted the recent decisions by international firms TXU and Agilent Technologies to downscale their operations in Ipswich represented a problem.

"We have to keep on top of the economics side and want to create a buoyant economy, but there are matters outside the local authority's control which are decided by multi-national companies," he said.

"We want to keep employment for the community, but it can be a real challenge."

Mr Gardiner said the best value plan followed through on targets set on previous years while keeping in touch with the needs of residents.

He said: "We look carefully at our priorities and listen to what people are telling us to establish what is important to them.

"Some of the priorities are long established and we are looking to follow through on our progress in the next couple of years."