SAMRA meeting last night

An interesting meeting at the Stanpit Village Hall last night with a presentation from POP about their latest initiatives for getting widows and widowers more social contact, very interesting. For my part I was called to explain the approach CBC would take should an appeal to the Beagle application come forward and to explain why the site is not suitable for housing. One particular resident was very concerned that the application had been refused against considerable support from the ward, Councillor Davis explained the ward Councillors position and I was asked why as Leader I could not have intervened in view of the quasi judicial nature of the planning process. I had earlier attended the Chamber of Commerce get together at the Kings Arms and had very interesting chat about where we should be going in respect of re-balance the pedestrian/traffic situation designed to improve the experience of our town centre to residents and visitors. So a long day but rewarding in that I was listening carefully to to some very interesting ideas. It is always encouraging when I meet people who adore Christchurch and have a positive view about making our Town Centre a better place.