A very interesting week

Five very interesting days all contributing to a busy but rewarding week. Starting with a briefing from our Housing team at the growing concern we have as to the responsibilities for the Council as the recession bites and begins to impact on some less fortunate residents. I was heartened to see how well we are dealing with this situation although we are very conscious that the problems could escalate. We are however looking forward with plans in place should this occur. An overview of the workings of the Stour Valley Partnership showed that the performance of our Revenues and Benefits operation is much better than the national standards in just about every area of operation. So a very useful afternoon seeing how we will deal with business tax collection and control as well as ensuring that departments are performing in accordance with our expectations. I was delighted to be asked to 'top out' the new estate being built at Clarenden Road and having made sure I was suitably dressed in toe protection boots, gloves, eye protectors and hard hat proceeded to the roof of the latest completion to hammer home a roofing tile. No champers though a cup of tea did just as well! Very interested to hear that sales are going very well with a great deal of interest from retiring 'downsizers' and an increasing number of 'first buyers 'following the governments 'Help to buy' policies just announced. The affordable housing units should be available shortly through the housing association further compounding our 'Christchurch houses for Christchurch people' manifesto pledge. The Local Enterprise Partnership board meeting concentrated on the latest financial loan initiatives to kick start locked in projects across Dorset and moved on the operation of the Skills Board and the direction needed to get our young people into work and/or education. Whilst across Dorset the levels of NEETS (not in education employment or training) are well within national standards there are pockets of high percentages of youngsters that fall within this category. Christchurch is one of those pockets and we need to understand what can be done to redress the position. One issue which was enlightening was the development ideas for Poole Harbour, all very exciting to say the least. On Thursday evening the Purewell and Stanpit PACT meeting was again very well attended and issues raised which will prioritised for the next quarter. High on the list is theft from insecure vehicles as well as cycling on pavements and the horrible graffiti which has suddenly appeared, not just in this ward but all over Christchurch. On Friday I opened the Rural Crime Prevention event at Kingston Maurward and spent a very useful day talking to agency partners about the problems out in our countryside including thefts of machinery, metal and livestock and the dangers and affect of devastating fires to livestock farmers across the County. I took the opportunity to talk to the Police and Crime Commissioner about our new pan Dorset Criminal Justice Panel and updated him on some initiatives being introduced by the delivery group of the Dorset Community Safety Partnership. When I could I did some canvassing for our County team in the election next week and was very interested to see how well the Conservative message for County was being received by residents.