Present:

Cllr N J Chard
Cllr N G R Clarke
Cllr D E Cracknell
Cllr M F J Daly
Cllr B H Terry

In Attendance:

Terry Simpson, Town Clerk
Jo Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk
Ros Bowles, Project Officer

T/0001 Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr N W Light.

T/0002 Declarations of Interest

There were none.

T/003 Election of Chairman

RESOLVED: That Cllr Terry be elected Chairman of the Committee.

T/0004 Committee Membership

The Town Clerk reported that Cllr Light was no longer able to commit time to this Committee. Cllr Ford had indicated she would be prepared to fill the vacancy.

RECOMMENDED: That Cllr Ford replace Cllr Light on the Committee.

T/0005 Election of Vice-Chairman

RESOLVED: That Cllr Daly be elected Vice-Chairman of the Committee

T/0006 Decision-Making Structure

The Town Clerk reported that the decision-making structure outlined in his report (Annex `A') differed from that recommended in the Market Towns Healthcheck Handbook, but allowed the Council to act as the "honest broker" and would ensure that all voices were heard. It was also proposed to add an additional topic group to cover youth issues and to include land use planning in the economy topic area.

RESOLVED:
1) That in order to ensure all sections of the community are fully involved in the Market Town Healthcheck and the preparation of the Town Plan, the overall structure outlined in Annex `A' be approved.

2) That the structure provides for a Councillor to be Chairman of the Town Plan Co-ordinating Committee and that that Councillor also be appointed Chairman of the Town Plan Partnership Steering Group.

3) That five topic groups be appointed, namely economy; environment; social and community; children and young persons; and transport and accessibility.

4) That the principle of the remaining five members of the Town Plan Co-ordinating Committee taking the Chairmanship, and the lead role as Portfolio Holders, of each of the five topic areas be approved.

5) That the economy topic area be specifically charged with consulting on land use planning within the town and its hinterland.

6) That members of the Committee be appointed to lead in the following topic areas:

T/0007 Project Plan

Members considered the Project Officer's report (Annex `B'). Cllr Clarke felt that the wording of paragraph 1.1 was inappropriate and that "Town Design Statement" should be replaced with "Area Action Plan". Members agreed that any document produced would need to reflect what the people of the town want and it was vital that this be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance. It was therefore agreed to delete the words "a Town Design Statement that will be included as" and insert the word "appropriate" in their place.

It was noted that the timetable would be flexible and that it had been necessary to extend this beyond the initial 12-month period. Members agreed that it was important to make the general public aware of the project and it was agreed that dissemination of information would be discussed at the next meeting of the Committee.

Cllr Clarke said that there was a need to establish the effect that residents of surrounding areas have on the town. He was also concerned about the substantial growth forecast for the Bournemouth/Poole/Christchurch area and the effect this would have on, for example, employment and transport. It was noted that a meeting had been arranged with East Dorset District Council to discuss cross-boundary working and that the result of this would be reported to the next meeting of the Committee.

The Project Officer reported that it was now necessary to invite volunteers representing different sections of the community to join the Partnership Steering Group. She therefore asked members to consider two possible candidates for each of their topic areas and, either approach them directly, or forward names to her to follow up.

RESOLVED:

1) That the draft Project Plan and Timetable be accepted.

2) That paragraph 1.1 of the report be amended, as above.

3) That members consider possible candidates to join the Partnership Steering Group and forward names to the Project Officer.

T/0008 Training

The Town Clerk suggested that members might feel the need for some additional training to support their new roles.

RESOLVED: That the Deputy Town Clerk investigate training courses on chairing community meetings.

T/0009 Urgent Business

The Town Clerk reported that the District Council was in the process of preparing an Employment Land Development Plan Document. This would be discussed by the Planning, Town and Environment Committee on 6th January 2006. In the meantime, the Town Clerk had written to the District Council asking that it fully consults with the Town Council before reaching any binding conclusions that affect the town.

RESOLVED: That this information be noted.

T/0010 Date of Next Meeting

RESOLVED: That the next meeting of the Committee be held at 10am on Thursday 19th January 2006.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 4.50pm.