Council Offices, EDDC at 7pm

1. Welcome and Introductions

John Shave welcomed the group along with Richard Henshaw from EDDC as guest speaker.

2. Chairman’s Report

 A Funding request has been put in for a youth shelter at Leigh Park. The CDRP want to fund a temporary shelter only. More funding required.
 Robert Jones - EDDC Draft Strategy Document - 3 priorities to support this.
 Speeding - A speed pledge is being developed for sign-up by residents. Approx 70% of those caught speeding are local residents. Pledge focus is on speed limits, then looking at safety.
 Police to carry out speed checks where the SID is in place.
 Steve Brett is the Colehill beat officer from 26/11/07.
 Support needed to fund a second speed gun for the area.

3. Development Plans for Wimborne Town Centre - Richard Henshaw

 History - proposals in 1995 for traffic and pedestrian improvements in Wimborne.
 Environmental improvements required in Wimborne square.
 Various draft schemes proposed.
 Traders anxious regarding parking & disappearing trade.
 Bus companies anxious regarding routes & timetables.
 Taxi firms have concerns.
 Local population concerns over the change to their town.
 Work in tandem with DCC who set money aside for improvements.
 Money withdrawn as plans could not be implemented.
 Over the past 2 years EDDC have set aside further money for feasibility plans.
 There is no draft plan yet.
 Consultations are required. These will take place early summer 2008.
 Cabling under the square to be considered.
 Statutory undertakings to speak to local firms, buses, taxis etc.
 Feedback and amendments will be looked at.
 Legal issues like road closures, rights of way, access etc to consider. Time estimate of 18 months to get to this point.

 Waitrose - Plans have now been submitted. There is an exhibition in the Allendale House for locals to look at. These will remain until the end of November 2007 and comments to be in by the 30/11/07.
 The owner wants to sell the land.
 Alternatives are 1. Sport and recreation. 2. Visual amenities.

 Flight Refuelling - No planning application submitted as of yet – must be in by end of the year.
 Discussions regarding the access routes, housing numbers, contamination issues, sewage works.
 Proximity to Leigh Park.
 Highways Agency and DCC have significant concerns about the traffic impact of development on the Canford Bottom roundabout.
 This large company is willing to invest heavily in Wimborne.
 Covenant on the riverside held by EDDC.
 EDDC permission needed to change from industrial to residential.
 High density housing including affordable housing and shared ownership properties.
 Extra services such as schools & doctors for DCC to consider.
 Housing Availability Issues - Those on the Housing Register, a scoring system is to be used for housing allocations.

 Regional Spatial Strategy - Due before Christmas and will be regarding housing, employment, environment etc.
 Panel report is an inspector’s report that makes recommendations to the Secretary of State. These will be published for comments.
 Modifications in the springtime and approval by the Secretary of State in the summer 2008.
 Consultations after Christmas on wide range of factors further to the panel report.

 Gypsies and Travellers - Requirement to provide information on the numbers and types of travellers in the district for both transit and permanent pitches.
 Original Regional Spatial Strategy Policy is considered insufficient.
 Section 4/4 authorities (DCC, Bournemouth BC and Poole BC) asked to undertake studies.
 It is difficult to measure people on the move - figures are disputable. EDDC has disputed the figures - possible double counting.
 Issues about travellers living in permanent accommodation. It is their nature to travel for several months of the year.
 The scale of the survey was statistically invalid.
 In February 2008 there will be a public examination to consider the matter. Secretary of State is to approve the policy in summer 2008.
 Steam Fair - Permanent camp was provided and no trouble reported.

5. LAG in 2008

 PACT process was explained by Chief Inspector Ayres at previous LAG meeting.
 Neighbourhood Management operates in East Dorset. It includes all aspects of public services.
 The meeting agreed that the Wimborne & District LAG should form the basis for a PACT. Meetings to be in 2 parts – normal LAG business & PACT matters.
 A PACT Panel will be established to include resident groups and representatives from providers of local services.
 Meeting Dates for 2008 – It was agreed to continue with 2 monthly meetings at the Council Offices.

6. Any Other Business

 John advised the group about the sad loss of Margaret Taylor who was a regular attendee of the group.
 John to pursue Ron Tomlin regarding the 20 parking spaces at the new cricket ground.
 The August meeting of the Women’s Institute considered a 20mph speed limit outside schools which was accepted and put forward to groups - police support is being sought.
 The Dorset out of hours service - St Leonard’s hospital was praised for this service.
 Date of next meeting is Wednesday 27th February 2008 (revised date) at the Council Offices, 7.00pm.