REMINDER - Please see notice boards for agenda. The Duchy of Cornwall will be using a new exhibition space upstairs in Poundbury Gardens Centre for future displays of new developments. Use the lift to gain access just off to the left as you go into the centres shop. Note that all planning applications can be seen at the WDDC offices in High West St in Dorchester.                                                     

JUBILEE COURT. The Duchy of Cornwall and the developer are reviewing the Planning Inspector's report. Discussions have been held with the PROD group and WDDC to accomodate points raised in the Inspector's report.

WASTE RECYCLING CENTRE.
The Residents Association shares the view of the Town Council that the proposed expanded waste recycling centre should not be in  Dorchester. Dorset County Council (DCC) are considering various sites which in our view should be outside the town easliy accessed from trunk roads.
We have made the point that this type of operation is not suitable for Poundbury due to the high density of the mixed household/business/shops concept which demands easy co-existance of all activity with low pollution of any sort. The prevailing windy hilltop location is unsuitable and it would not be feasible to meet the requirements of the area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) criteria. It will be several months before DCC conclude their studies and there will be ample opportunity for public debate once it has done so We will continue to take a very active interest in this subject to ensure that decisions taken are in the interests of the whole community.

PRINCE CHARLES VISIT. HRH Prince Charles visited Poundbury on 10th March to open the new Garden Centre and meet staff to congratulate them on a superb addition to Poundbury.

LEISURE NEEDS UNDER REVIEW. Following a £2m direct Government grant to Thomas Hardye School, talks about the a new Leisure Centre have collapsed. The school is now pursueing it's own plans rather than being part to a combined new Leisure Centre solution for Dorchester. Following years of discussion, this is a big disappointment to Poundbury. It illustrates the chaos existing in funding amenities for new developments from the Government. Essentially DCC/WDDC have no money because they are starved of Government grant. Poundbury's Section 106 leisure and recreation money is insufficient on its own to do much.

POUNDBURY FUTURE SEEMS ASSURED. Information emanating from the South West Regional Assembly seems to suggest that long term plans for Poundbury are assured.

Poundbury Residents Association was formed by the people for the people, some 10 years ago and is bound by a Constitution to represent the whole community, whether owners or tenants, homes or businesses. The committee is made up of a maximum of 10 volunteers, elected at the AGM each March. With further residents co-opted to the committee, when their skills are required. Open meetings for all residents are held quarterly in the Brownsword Hall. Agendas cover a wide spectrum of topical interest, central to the development of the community. With guest speakers, debates, question and answer sessions, all bringing together the thoughts of a thriving community.

We work closely with the Duchy of Cornwall, our Councillors on West Dorset District Council and Dorchester Town Council, the developers and builders to try and piece together the best way forward for us all.

Our aim, is to keep YOU the residents informed, giving you the ability to make your own decisions. We can offer advice and or representation on any issue that is causing concern, and just as importantly bring you the good news stories.

We publish a regular Newsletter, delivered to each and every home and business, full of all the latest goings on. And when you are a community growing as quickly as Poundbury now 470 homes strong with 2 to 3 homes being occupied each week, there’s a lot happening.

With the fast growth in population on Poundbury, which will double over the next 3 – 5 years, it was acknowledged at the Residents Meeting of the 15th September 2004 that not all current and future residents who wanted to attend the open meetings could be accommodated in the Brownsword Hall at one time. So, in order for the residents’ interests to be fully considered and prioritised the Committee would have to restructure.

Under the leadership of Chairman Fran Leaper, the Committee is subdivided into two. With one side representing the issues of the 300 homes on Phase 1 and the other the growth to 700 homes on Phase 2, however the committee still meet every six weeks jointly managing the issues that affect the whole community,                                                                                                   How does this affect you the resident?                                
So, for each the two Phases we have internally elected an ISSUES/QUERIES CONTACT REP, giving you that extra point of contact, heading up each subcommittee team. The size and roles taken within each subcommittee is open to change and is basically down to who volunteers and the time they can afford the committee. In practice we work as a flexible team responding to daily needs. So, if you are interested and would like to help please contact your Phase Representative. There is always plenty to do! 

What we have now. So, along with an active Residents Association, Mancos are set up, as legal structures by the Duchy in order to manage the services to the common land. There is a Neighbourhood Watch for each phase and the Poundbury Village Hall Trust is managed by the Residents. We have to ensure that Poundbury is a safe place to live and to bring up families, that there is a good local access to education and leisure facilities and that all needs are catered for, regardless of ability or income. Importantly, that a robust framework exists for lasting friendships.

Poundbury