FROM: Tony Corbin � Town Project Officer HCC (for and on behalf of WA/TAPT)
30th November 2005
Dear Councillors,
The usual report is attached for your review and or comment.
The main focus in the past month has been the Christmas in Whitchurch initiative. We are conscious that this has been proceeding at a gallop in order to meet the deadlines. The project team is extremely grateful for the forbearance of and support from all members and in particular to the Mayor for agreeing to preside at the 3rd December �switch on� ceremony (4pm) and the Best Window Display prize giving (Noon 17th December), Cllr. Barry Jackman (for Town Hall Lights) and Cllr. Penny Turner (for the �reindeer�!)
The Christmas in Whitchurch flyer (printed at no cost by John Buckley) has been distributed locally thanks to the support of WA members but in particular the Old Paper Shop who delivered the leaflet with the Sunday papers. Participating shops (21 of them) also have the flyers and all have agreed to display white Festive lights, display the �supporting Christmas in Whitchurch� window sticker and will have copies of the three competition entry forms. Seventeen (17) Church, Community and Voluntary groups have also contributed their support. A great example of unifying effort in the Town, excellent publicity (Parish Magazine, the flyer, local papers editorial) and a good basis for progressing further work at a steadier pace next year on the Town centre Revitalisation Project. (BTW documentation includes disclaimer, Data Protection clauses etc)
Beyond that we have mostly good news but there is one not so good item to report:
� Not so good News � still no breakthrough in terms of the HGV survey. I have now escalated the HGV �lack of report� issue via my management within HCC.� Meantime, no tangible deliverable on the Town Entry Gateway signs yet, but Jamie Daly (BDBC) has advised that he is very close to gaining agreement on a design with Highways Mtc and will be in contact with WTC/WA very shortly.
� Good News - Phil Cooper has done a sterling job in keeping www.thewhitchurchweb.org up to date with all the local news and in particular the latest news and events list for Christmas in Whitchurch. Even Sir George Young MP has set up a link to the site!
�
Good News
� A meeting of the combined Tourism Project/Town Centre section (sub
groups) has now taken place attended by Cllrs Irene and ken
� Good news - The Heritage centre Project will get underway with a kick off meeting 14th December (11.00 am). Cllr. Alison Wall will attend as BDBC portfolio holder, WTC Councillors welcomed too. News on the outcomes in the next report to Councillors.
� Good News � a copy of the new HCC Market Towns leaflet � that includes an item on Whitchurch is enclosed
� Good News � Tony Corbin presented the work of the Whitchurch Association to the LSP Board 17th November as a working example of �community partnerships in action�. Well received � The Town Action Plan is now an LSP supported initiative.
� Good News � a new three tier WA Communication model will be discussed at the next WA Committee Meeting 1st December. It aims to reduce the volume of communication and improve relevance. Three tiers (distribution lists will be introduced: WA Committee ONLY; all WA� �members� and finally small interest group distribution lists that are Project sub group (or section) Specific. Meantime, after requests from TAPT,� I understand that the new WA committee will be looking at how they should communicate such as Committee meeting minutes.
The above and other changes to status are reflected in the body of the main report (overleaf) by italicised text.
That�s it except to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year.
|
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) |
Includes Town Guide, Heritage
Leaflet and Circular Walks reprint/update all cross referenced to
Whitchurch Web content. A sub group meeting to include WTC -
representation, John Buckley, Harriet Titcomb, Keith Watts & Stewart
Parrington is scheduled for 30th Nov. |
|
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 |
HCC Country Towns Initiative
(circa �40-50k) and B&DBC POPPI circa �20k (Pride of Place Partnership
Initiative) potentially available for built environment
enhancement/conservation related improvement projects. Main focus has been �Christmas
in Whitchurch � 20+ retailers supporting initiative plus Church/Ctty Groups.
Flyer issued 25th November. Mayor switches on lights 3rd
Dec |
|
3
Community |
One
Stop Shop: �
Town Hall utilisation for Community group
usage �
Tourist Information point |
(Cathy Burt) Liz Dermody Tony Corbin |
19th 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 � (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. This
project is being increasingly merged with 2 above. Agreement in principle to
form a Local Retailers Trade Association with links to the Testbourne
Business Club has been reached. Related to Christmas in Whitchurch, retailers
are being encouraged to display/list their �gift offers� |
|
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) |
Presentation by an HCC Officer to members/public
on 26th Sep provided limited detail or guidance for the
Association and WTC. The officer has been chased for the report but to
date no response (or final report). The
matter has been escalated by TC to HCC Senior Mgmt. Review progress� in December Little
visible progress in the past two months. JD (BDBC) has been liasing with HCC
and has submitted a further modified design in the hope that HCC will accept
for mtc etc. Currently WTA/WTC waiting outcome. TC on behalf of WA sent a
reminder/update request to JD 29th Nov. JD expects to be able to put
forward a new proposal within the next few days |
|
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) |
Meeting held 11th Oct with HCC
(Russell Cleaver- Heritage/recreation ) . Plan is to make an LHI bid.� A kick off meeting involving local
stakeholders is scheduled for 14th Dec. (N.B. Cllr. Alison Wall
plans to attend) |
|
8 Community |
�
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 �Whitchurch
Youth Project including the �Chill to this� initiative. Still
appears to be some dispute between 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 |
Website launched � Community Magazine (quarterly)
will potentially launch in Spring 06, but introductory flyer - the
�Christmas in Whitchurch (CIW) feature � issued 25th Nov. Local
press already using the website to trawl for their �what�s on� pages. Good
coverage of CIW based on WA press releases |
|
12. |
Whitchurch
Association Committee |
Susan
Flawith Chair;
Harriet Titcomb Co Chair; Jean
Watts (Sec) |
The 11-strong committee has
held its first meeting. �Initial focus is on terms of reference,
communication and procedural matters. |