Sunday, 23 June 2013
Growing communities
Significant at this weeks planning committee was the passing of the plans for the refurbishment of the Scott's Green area in Grange ward. This plan will deliver 22 affordable housing units which is indeed very welcome but as important to me is the development and involvement of the community in the shape of the Sommerford Residents Association and the interaction with the housing provider who were persuaded to soften their approach to the development and gain agreement with the community as to the numbers and design of the project. So added to the bonus of having the new housing is the development of a constituted residents group who can continue to contribute to making the area an even better place to live. Significant work by local Conservative Councillors in underpinning the relationship between the developers and the community should also be recognised as an example as to how Conservative Councillors can represent their communities and deliver outcomes. One of the key issues of this administration is to see the development of neighbourhoods taking a leading role in the betterment of their areas and this project delivers on that score. Finding residents prepared to be community drivers for change can be difficult but once engaged the benefits can be very rewarding. So through this blog and on behalf of CBC my thanks for all their hard work in getting this outcome and my personal support for the next stage in developing further community benefits. In another area of the Borough at Mudeford Wood residents saw their plans for the refurbishment of the centre and the alteration of the lease in respect of open space land, agreed by the Resources committee another example of CBC encouraging and assisting local communities to take a bigger role in their neighbourhoods. Hundreds if not thousands turned up at the recent Mudeford Wood Fun day, another example of neighbourhoods in action. So a good week for our communities!
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17 comments:
Quite frankly Ray, if the housing provider listened to the residents they would leave Scotts Green alone and not be demolishing 24 perfectly good affordable housing units to make way for 22 new ones (I make that a net loss of two affordable units). I am sure many residents now rue the day this organisation took control of the public housing stock as they behave like some feudal landlord. It took the Cheviot Court and Community Centre fiascos to open most peoples eyes to the true nature of the beast. I fear this is only the first battle in the war to protect Somerfords remaining open spaces.
Just to add, would the residents even be facing these battles had the housing stock remained in public hands where at least there was a degree of accountabilty and control. Far from councillors deserving a pat on the back, come the next election I hope the voters of Grange Ward remember just who it was that flogged the council housing off to this Sovereign shower in the first place!
I have to disagree, come the next election residents will vote for those Councillors who have worked to develop and contribute to their communities. In Grange ward, Conservative Councillors are doing just that!
Listen moosh, I live in the Grange Ward and let me tell you something, the current encumbents are the worst I can ever remember. The pair of them are as about as high profile as Lord Lucan and as effective as a chocolate teapot. There are houses going up in peoples gardens in contravention of the covenants on the land and I have yet to hear a peep out of them. It is outrageous. Do they even bother holding regular surgeries? Come the next election they will be out on their ears, you mark my words.
Moosh?????
Forgive me, it is an informal term of address we Hampshire folk use and judging by your incomprehension I can only deduce that you are not from around these parts. Back to my original question. Would the good people of Somerford still be under siege from these landgrabbers had the housing stock remained under democratic control instead of being floged off to some unelected, unaccountable organisation?
Oh never heard it before but I have only been here for twenty five years! Don't think Somerford is under siege, certainly with strong res assns. and strong Councillors we should be ok. Can't/ won't look back doesn't get me anywhere! You live in a good place, I am sure you enjoy it.
Well, I have a long memory and you lot have an awful to answer for. Make no mistake, you will be asked to account for your past actions.
I wonder, Somerford1962, if you could give some details of the good you have done or are doing for your community (apart from criticising others, of course). No need to be too specific about roles if you want to remain anonymous, it's just that your experience would clearly be useful to us all!
I have no wish to blow my own trumpet, I just want to point out the damage the Conservatives have done to my community because it appears that they have very selective memories.
Somerford1962, why don't you get off your back side and do something about the issues you complain about. If you can do it better, then get up from your comfy chair and do something for the community instead of continually moaning about those who are engaged in community work. Why not put up ot shut up.
I am doing something, I am expressing the concerns of local people whose voices have become very much marginalised in Christchurch even though it is their town.
Yes indeed, and you express them very forcefully. Absolutely not disrespecting this blog, but not so many read it. Are you doing anything else? Words are easy, action involves so much more. Perhaps you're standing at the next Council election? You should, unless you're frightened of defeat! And have you any EVIDENCE of how many local people agree with you? From your previous posts I assume that the 'locals' are people who've lived here all their lives. That reduces the number considerably! Still not heard what you actually DO, except vituperate on this blog! Your anonymity will be assured, but you must be able to give an indication of what you actually do? Love the comment on another post: "...not one to blow my own trumpet." If I were you I'd blow it a little!!!
What I do for a living is immaterial, suffice to say I am in full time employment which rather limits my free time. Unlike the baby boom generation I won't be retiring at 60 on a gold plated pension. I will probably have to work until I am at least 67 (if I can last until then in what is a pretty physically demanding occupation) and receive a pension much reduced from what I expected when I joined the company 21 years ago. I would love to do more and I probably will once I have more free time on my hands. For your information, the issues of most concern to local people is the lack of affordable housing for young families and the huge wave of migration into the area, particularly from London. If you don't believe me, go and ask some local people yourself. And if I express my forcibly it is because Christchurch is my home town and I am pretty bloody angry about what has happened to it.
Thanks for your comment, and I am sorry that you feel disillusioned, I can to an extent understand it. But am I correct in assuming that these posts are based on personal feelings based on personal circumstances when you joined your company? You seem proud that you have lived here all your life, and you also seem seriously disgruntled about the company where you have worked for over 20 years. You say, 'For your information' - have you thought about moderating your tone a bit? My mum used to say, 'You catch more flies with honey that you do with flypaper.' Just a suggestion. A serious question, though: how many local people are you asking, or is it just those who agree with you, or are too scared not to? I also know several Councillors who are in full time employment and still do both jobs!!!
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