Community services meeting 21st October

Next Wednesday there will be a packed agenda for the Community Services meeting and I hope a packed chamber. With fifteen items on the agenda,that's right fifteen!! and all of them important issues, the evening should be very interesting to say the least. Included is a comprehensive report on the Borough wide speed initiative which has resulted from a great deal of pressure from this ward and whilst I am not entirely comfortable with some of the conclusions I am pleased that CBC took such a rigorous program of assessment forward following the various challenges raised. Whilst I still think that 'twenty is plenty' in home zones, I am delighted that we are tackling this problem head on. Also included on the agenda is the Shore Management plan 2 (SMP2) which is being passed for consultation. Just how the authors expect laypersons to comprehend the contents of this major tome I do not know but if you get a spare week you might see if you can make sense of it. I understand that this is a major project and right from the outset I pleaded that the language should be in 'plainspeak' and I am disappointed that a 'poor mans' guide to the Christchurch area has not been produced. The physical size of the report is certainly offputing, to say the least.But there it is and it will be available for consultation following the meeting next week. Good luck if you try to tackle it and I think you should! As I am writing about consultation, The Stanpit Marsh Management plan is back with the responses from over 220 individuals and organisations.This unprecedented return confirms my thinking that at last the message has been accepted in the Borough that the marsh and all that it means is a jewel in our crown and needs to be the recipient of a great deal of TLC if we are going to pass it on in better order than it is now. And that our attention is directed to the protection of flora and fauna and bio-diversity and all that that means rather than regard it as a dogs toilet. Strong words I know, but with a clear mandate and with the assistance of all our brilliant helpers some imagination and vision this place can become a national if not international jewel. So if you can spare the time turn up next Wednesday at 6.0 pm I can assure you of a brain tickling evening.