Announcements at Full Council

Mr Mayor just a couple of items I would like to bring to your attention. This to advise you that Councillor Margaret Phipps has been appointed to the Dorset Local Nature Partnership as a Board member. This organisation will be the green equivalent of the Local Enterprise Partnership with far ranging responsibilities in respect of Dorset’s unique environment. So congratulations to Margaret this again shows how Christchurch Borough Council is punching above its weight. For some time Mr Mayor and as you know I have been concerned that ‘heritage’ buildings and locations some not under the ownership of this Council which add to the unique environment of this Borough have not been given the attention they deserve. The Constables house is an example. So I have asked Cllr Fred Neal who has done such a good job with the Friends of Christchurch Railway Station to lead a small task group including Cllr Bath and Cllr Davis to see what can be done to enhance or protect our heritage. I am sure they will be calling on other members and indeed officers to assist and will look forward to hearing from them at some future Council meeting. An finally Mr Mayor if you experienced as I did the BBC presentation of Christchurch on Top Gear on Sunday evening you I am sure would wonder why this dynamic, vibrant community is constantly described as some sort of extension to a massive old people’s home. So just by way of advice I wonder if you agree with me that our Audit and Scrutiny committee should call Clarkson and Hammond before them so that they can better appreciate our young people, our dynamic economy, brilliant schools and great community, indeed all the fantastic attributes of this Borough in a much more shall we say balanced way. It could be that we could ask Top Gear to put a Councillor into a reasonably priced car! And for the benefit of our attending press representatives, if they choose to run with this story, I did see that Clarkson had to journey to Bournemouth to find some delightful, and I have say, elderly ladies and why he did not display his infamous and as he describes aphrodisiac hand brake turn whilst they luxuriated in the back seat of his vehicle. Don’t reply now Mr Mayor I am sure that if Top Gear did attend you could introduce them to your team of Turkish Dancers.