Whitchurch Town Association - Town Action Plan Projects

Status as at 27^th May 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.
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	New sub committee formed 19^th Jan 05. Still to meet and consider way forward. 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 to be held in June (prov. 15^th June 2.30pm) with Business Dev sub group to plan and prioritise actions.
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). Waiting thoughts/response from WTC.
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 8^th June � Newbury Bldng Soc will attend.� Meeting TC/SP 20^th May outlined possible �retailer� initiatives. SP to informally meet 1 to 1 with local retailers to test ideas and will report at proposed 15^th June 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)	Keith Pauw HCC has confirmed HGV survey successfully completed on Tues 26^th April (7am-7pm). Preliminary results expected early July. Could this be at a joint WTA sub group/WTC meeting? It would also be helpful for WTA to understand from WTC overall Traffic Calming project status (inc parking plans etc) B&DBC to be asked for an update on alternative lower cost Gateway designs that would retain key elements of winning design but with costs acceptable to HCC Highways Mtc.
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 subject to granting of planning approval for new Library and completion of Community Hall
8 Community	IT/Internet Public access: � Individual Learning and Information Points	Janet Palmer Phil Cooper (Linda Cowley) <Gill Nethercott>	Longer term initiative subject to granting of planning approval for new Library and completion of Community Hall
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	Harriet T has attended meetings initiated by Cllr. Jackman and has offered support from WTA sub group members. Cllr. Jackman has indicated that after his next meeting, it may be relevant to update WTA sub group on progress and plans. Meantime, HT will speak to JP/SF and others re possibly joining sub group Newbury Building Soc has shown a willingness to support any 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	Very positive meeting 26^th April with Cllrs. Robbins & Abate. This agreed in principle that the proposed Community magazine (quarterly) <the Whitchurch Web> would reference �Eye� in the masthead and incorporate �Eye� content submitted by WTC. Proposal was also supported in principle at the May WTC full Council. WTC production budget for �Eye� could possibly go towards cost of the new magazine. Next WTA step is to secure full funding (sponsorship) � TC/JB met with Newbury Building Society 25^th May � decision mid June. 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 will make WTA publicly accountable and enable bids for funds not available to Local Authorities to be made. Meetings involve new Ctty Hall committee members. Keith Watts has resigned his leadership of the group min order to focus on other project areas and meet his many other commitments. A new leader of the sub group is needed Otherwise, progress continues to be made, last joint meeting on 23^rd May, next meeting 23^rd June. Plan is for a formal launch/event in September � ideas to attract interest and involvement of local residents welcome. A draft constitution document has now been drawn up and will be distributed shortly to all interested parties for comment. WTC Members wishing to receive a copy should please advise TC.