Lots of good news and a very busy week

The last week has just flown by, so much going on and most of it good news for Christchurch. Monday saw an afternoon dedicated to working with a whole bunch of people about what Christchurch will look like in twenty five years time or so and the priorities which need to considered if we are to maintain the uniqueness of the area and keep it special. A relief road featured as you can expect but a lot of great ideas were discussed surrounding affordable housing and amenities. All in all a worthwhile exercises. The evening was taken up by meetings with the Conservative group to discuss priorities and preparing for full Council. Community Services meeting on Wednesday needed a great deal of preparation due to the complexity of the items on the agenda. I am delighted that the Stanpit Marsh Management plan was finally recommended and passed by committee and the concerns about disturbance to wildlife accepted. The hard work on this issue starts now however with further public consultation on the control of dogs issue. SMP2 was also passed but I abstained from voting due to my very real concerns regarding the policy for Mudeford which I do not think is acceptable. The paper on Borough wide speed management issues was deferred due to the complexity of the report and will be heard on 3rd November at 6pm. A great deal of behind the scenes discussion has been generated by this report but I am pleased that the subject matter is receiving the attention necessary to get speeding traffic high up on the agenda. Following the opening of Highcliffe market about which I was very impressed, a Friday evening with our Safer Neighbourhood Team at Purewell Cross in the van meeting up with residents with concerns in our neighbourhood. A good news week!