SAMRA meeting on Friday night

I was so pleased to listen to the presentation by the Chair of the Mudeford Wood Community Centre about their experiences since taking over the centre just a year ago and their vision for the future at Fridays SAMRA meeting. It does show how an engaged and constituted community group can make a real difference when they take ownership of providing local services from these sort of facilities. In partnership with CBC and with the involvement of residents and elected Councillors, MWCC is a shining example of what can be delivered to the benefit of the local community. The financial benefits (in terms of pay back) to the Borough as a whole will be generated quickly as Centre becomes self financing. Great work by an engaged community! Another issue discussed was to do with the on road parking management which has been taken over by Dorset County Council. I intend to advise County Councillors of the real concerns expressed by residents about parking along Mudeford and the issue of the school drop off area in Mudeford Lane which is causing all sorts of problems. The evening finished very amicably with a glass of wine and a very useful chat with residents about the challenging financial situation we find ourselves in as a Council. All very enjoyable!