Committee Room, EDDC at 7pm

1. STREET ARTS FESTIVAL

• Tracy Cooper who is the Art Development Officer at EDDC advised the group about an upcoming ‘Street Arts Festival’ for Wimborne.
• The festival is in the planning stages at present / research still to do.
• In partnership with Bournemouth and Poole Councils.
• To take place over 3 Saturdays in September / early October 2009.
• The idea to build on partnerships / generate visitors to the town / economy of the town.
• Ideas for outdoor entertainment theatre / family events / high quality street arts.
• Tracy advised that the ‘Sting in the Tale’ festival is happening again this year from the 21st to 31st August.

2. LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK – RICHARD HENSHAW

• Richard advised the group that the RSS is now due to be published by the end of June 2009.
• Legal challenges to be considered / taking QC advise on whether this is viable.
• There are 3 potential areas for challenge:
1. 1000 additional dwellings in existing urban areas.
2. Habitat regulations / heath lands.
3. A31 needs development before any urban extensions.
• There are now some potentially difficult decisions to be made by the Council.
• The Council is supporting the developments at Cuthbury.
• Next stages: Autumn time public consultations on issues and options to take place.
• Summary papers / large document produced / background papers / to be taken to committee / public able to make comments / over 6/12 month period.
• Major piece of evidence is the Strategic Land & Housing Assessment / this was taken to committee last week / next 5 years of deliverable housing land.
• Key issues being considered for Wimborne (handout) / town centre / transport / urban extensions.
• Cricket club have played last match on usual pitch/ Council have not yet been informed when Waitrose plan to commence development.
• Wimborne Square enhancements being looked at in detail / well supported / looking at access, delivery lorries, taxis etc / there is a test area near Allendale House of paving that could be used in the square.
• PH advised that the Council could have no influence over future of Woolworth’s empty property but it was hoped that due to the shop’s position a suitable business would be attracted.
• PH advised that the proposed area for seating and paving being considered for Wimborne square would be on the sunny north side.
• There is talk of a town centre managerial position being created / to encourage use of the town / funding would be required / possible shared position with another town centre.
• JE commented on the problems that the flower delivery lorries cause when they park in the town.
• JG asked why the bus service 88 did not go to Furzehill / this was raised at another meeting.
• JS – youth provisions need to be considered for Wimborne and Leigh Park areas.
• Richard Henshaw asked for the group to pass onto him any views they have about Leigh Park at the moment.
• JW – problems at Leigh Park include the parking and Rugby club.
• The Local Development Framework / new ideas for the area / no community facilities in this area.
• PH – advised re the Flight Refuelling land that is available in the area at present / possibility for a community building.
• JW – advised that as a visitor to Leigh Park he thinks the residents are generally happy with the area.
• Richard Henshaw said he would return to the group with more substantial information in the next few months.

3. LOCAL UPDATES by Ron Tomlin

• There will be changes to the Community Partnership / proposals for a new structure to be launched at end of June 2009 / significant changes proposed.
• Three area partnerships for Wimborne, Ferndown and Verwood / based in the towns / more member involvement / commissioning role / larger budgets for local projects.
• Partnership is unable to give out project funding until we are advised of funding allocation from Dorset Strategic Partnership – now due in May.
• TAG’s changing / Richard Henshaw will provide support to a new Planning TAG to be chaired by JS.
• JS advised regarding the Police structure in Dorset County Division/ there is a new divisional commander Chief Superintendent Martin Hiles who has committed to stay in this role until after the Olympics / there is a new beat officer in Corfe Mullen / possibility of up to 6 East Dorset PCSO’s moving out of their roles if they pass the recent promotion board assessment.

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
• PH advised the group that she had seen the Wimborne 5 year land supply plan which is a huge document / lists land available for building on over the next 5 years / this is brown belt land.
• MO – cycle lanes / QE School / there is another new project manager for QE School / decision needed on cycle lanes through town to the end of Poole Road / mineral waste extraction at Sturminster Marshall - DCC did not recommend as this would mean an extra 100 lorries per day on the A31.
• MO - advised that recently 19 social housing residents were given notice to quit in the St Catherine’s area and are moving to 13 new social housing flats at the end of New Borough (owned by East Borough Housing Trust).
• JW - Colehill traffic calming / head on accident was witnessed a few days ago outside the library / this has been looked at for over 15 years and was agreed / now the scheme is in situ people don’t like it.
• HB – Stone Lane speeding problems / limits not enforced / there are children walking and cycling up this road / also problems with speeding in Walford Mill area / JS to raise issues with the police.
• JW – clock on corner of High Street & King Street not working / PH – money from the Council was put into this.

Date of next meeting: 17 June 2009