Whitchurch Town Association - Town Action Plan Projects

Status as at 6^th July 2005

Changes since last report are shown in ITALICS

Initiative No. (Category)	Description	WTA Sub Group leader in bold (= Co opted) <= WTC Cllr>	Current Status
1 Economy	Tourism Projects to: � Encourage More Visitors to the Town � Bring More revenue to the Town	Susan Flawith Phil Cooper Harriet Titcomb <Gill Nethercott> (Derek Verran) (Stephen Bryer)	Funding shortfall � Town Guide and Circular Walks reprint/update. Requires local authority funding or external funding application when WTA is constituted. Photography (Jake) now completed. Opportunity for leaflet rack in entranceway to Brockenhursts. Sub group mtng 4^th May agreed Town Guide layout and content headings. Next stage is to approach subject matter experts to write content. Sub Group to clarify plans with WTC (Cathy B).
2 Environment	Town Centre Project: � Improve appearance of Town Centre � Advise on and encourage building restoration	Harriet Titcomb <Gill Nethercott> Tony Corbin Derek Verran Keith Watts	Opportunity from HCC Env (Chris Williams) Country Towns Initiative � may allocate monies to suitably argued Whitchurch Town Centre initiatives (e.g. Alleyway improvements/planting etc.) Joint Meeting 15^th June (with Bus Dev). Actions include exploration of Retail specific skills provision/funding, other possible ideas to be reviewed at next (13^th July) mtng.
3 Community	One Stop Shop: � Town Hall utilisation for Community group usage � Tourist Information point	(Cathy Burt) Liz Dermody Tony Corbin	19^th Jan WTA meeting proposed Town Hall could be a meeting venue for proposed Community Support Officers and Wardens (e.g. with the public). CB has reaffirmed that the Town Hall is available on request to local Community serving groups.
4 Economy	Town Business Support & Development: � Improve economic viability of the town � Support/funding for business start ups � Encourage collaborative activity	Tony Corbin Stewart Parrington (Ed Beckmann � BLWx) (John Mitchell � Enterprise First) (Drewett Neate � Comm�l Agency) (Testbourne Bus Forum members)	Town Hall now being used (Tues) for BLWx 1 to 1 one-hour business advice clinics. Newbury Building Soc has shown an interest in participating in Business led community activities. Next Testbourne Bus Club meeting is on Wed 19^th Aug (Longmeadow. SP to report on his informal meetings with local retailers to test ideas and will report at 13^th July (see 2 above) joint mtng. �
5 & 6 now Merged Transport	Traffic Mgmt Projects a) Reduced HGV through traffic volumes b) Town Gateway project and environmental calming scheme	Derek Verran Tony Corbin (Reg Kimpton) Chris Setters (Keith Pauw HCC) (Cathy Burt) (John Wall) Greg Harris Susan Flawith <Gill Nethercott> Chris Setters < R Dykes> <Cllr B. Jackman> (John Wall) Harriet Titcomb Tony Corbin (Jamie Daly B&DBC)	HGV survey successfully completed on Tues 26^th April (7am-7pm). Request 05/07 to WTC (Cathy) for agreement for HCC to present survey results 22^nd Aug at WTC DC meeting with WTA sub group members also present? Preparatory meeting also proposed by HCC (Keith Pauw for 3:30pm 17^th Aug � all welcome. B&DBC has been asked for an update on alternative lower cost Gateway designs. Dialogue between JD and GH to help ensure changes retain key elements of original winning design. WTA invited by WTC and has provided input on B&DBC parking proposals for the Town.� (It would also be helpful for WTA to understand from WTC overall Traffic Calming project status (inc parking plans etc)
7 Community	Local History �Display area � Accessible display and Learning centre for local artefacts	TBC <Gill Nethercott> Harriet Titcomb Tony Corbin <Cllr. A Wall> History Soc TBC) (B&DBC TBC)	Longer term initiative. Planning permission for new Library and Community Hall granted (May 05)
8 Community	IT/Internet Public access: � Individual Learning and Information Points	Janet Palmer Phil Cooper (Linda Cowley) <Gill Nethercott>	Longer term initiative. Planning permission for new Library and Community Hall granted (May 05)
9 Community	Young People�s Facilities: � Youth Suite Refurbishment � Young people�s amenities	Acting Leader Harriet Titcomb Janet Palmer TBC Susan Flawith TBC <Alison Wall> Liz Dermody <P. Turner> Derek Verran Keith Watts	HT, SF & JP have all attended/supported meetings initiated by Cllr. Jackman related to the �Cool to Chill� initiative. TC meantime has made all parties aware that the B&DBC provision for the Testbourne Youth Suite has not yet been applied. Following Fire Officer visit, Testbourne has received quotes for remedial work approx 10% of those suggested by HCC Building Regs.� Newbury Building Soc has shown a willingness to support youth initiatives.�
10 Transport	Community Bus	(Cathy Burt)	Project Closed � Jan 05 � as apparently working satisfactorily.
11. Comms	Communications Project: � House Style for WTA materials � Web site inc open forum for feedback � Internal/external and stakeholder comms model	Phil Cooper John Buckley (Steve Hoffmann) (? Cathy Burt) Tony Corbin	Agreed in principle (April) that the proposed Community magazine (quarterly) <the Whitchurch Web> would reference �Eye� in the masthead and incorporate �Eye� content. Editorial control will remain with WTC� Sponsorship) �Newbury Building Society not willing to sponsor but will advertise. Sub Group to meet to decide package it will put to potential list of sponsors.� Final presentation to WTC when funding secured.
12.	Constitution of WTA	Leader TBC Keith Watts <A. Wall> Harriet Titcomb Tony Corbin (Ctty Hall Group members) (J. Balcombe B&DBC Community Officer) (HCC Legal) <R Dykes>	Constitution (copies available) now covers Town Action Plan tasks as well as new Ctty Hall Mgmt. Still no sub group leader plus growing concerns re distinct shortage of potential officers/trustees. 23^rd June mtng heard that the draft constitution had been reviewed by Charities Commission and was broadly acceptable to them.� Provisional date for launch public meeting set for Saturday 15^th Oct, venue Parish hall (10-12 Noon). Next Meeting 28^th July.