Last night's Community Service meeting

Two very important issues were debated and agreed last night as well as the situation we find ourselves in regarding highways with Dorset County Council. Representing our community in road traffic order cases has become very difficult following the decision by County to take all highway matters to be under their control. So we have formed a group in CBC that will hear issues from our community and pass them to County with recommendations. I am still not happy about this but it is the best we can do whilst we wrestle with the problem which has been brought about by funding cuts. The Housing Allocation Policy or as I prefer to call it 'the Christchurch homes for Christchurch people bill' was unanimously agreed and as this was as a direct result of partnership working by our Councillors with officers and East Dorset members, I was particularly pleased. A great deal of work and heartache went into the preparation of the policy which I hope will be fully implemented by the end of the year. So well done to all involved. Finally the Stanpit Recreation Ground improvement scheme passed again unanimously, but not without considerable debate. The result was that final designs will be delegated to officers, the ward Councillors and the port folio holder for the environment. So this completes our improvement plan for the area having started in 2008 with the development of the visitor centre and improvements to the SSSI marsh which has been so successful. The removal of the waste bins at the entrance and the TLC applied to the greenery, all have added to the raising of the bar in terms of resident and visitor pride of place. Increased parking for the hard pressed roads of Stanpit will make a significant difference again to visitors and residents. I notice that this weekend sees the bonfire and firework display which is an annual charity event, please give generously!!!!