Meetings

Winton Forum Meeting - Wednesday 28 October 2009 at Winton YMCA, Jameson Road

Notes

Bob Dean from South West Planning Aid gave a short presentation. Planning Aid provides free, independent and professional town planning advice and support to communities and individuals who cannot afford to pay planning consultant fees. It complements the work of local planning authorities, but is wholly independent of them.

Bob suggested that, over time, all areas can change in their nature because of many factors, changing shopping habits, changes in town centres, employments sites and growth of universities.

This started a debate about the changing nature of Winton. It was noted that the University now has around 17,000 students, although many are not at the Talbot Campus, being based at partner Colleges like Weymouth or Kingston Maurward, or doing short business courses. The University is still growing, but at a much slower rate than previously.

There are around 2,000 units of purpose built accommodation in the Lansdowne, but many students do want to live near the campus they attend because they want to be near their study facilities.

It was acknowledged that the University does bring massive economic and cultural benefits to the conurbation, and that it is only a small minority of students who cause a problem in Winton.

Since the last large meeting about "studentification", the Council has introduced an enhanced service that will specifically deal with noise complaints. Between the hours of 10pm and 2am on Friday and Saturday nights a duty officer will be on call to respond to a number of noise issues. To report a noise problem that is on going between 10pm and 2am on either a Friday or Saturday night you should use the main Council telephone number 01202 451451.

Since September 35 complaints have been investigated by this service, which is jointly funded by the University. 1 Noise Abatement Notice has been issued. There are now better links between the University and Council when dealing with cases of anti-social behaviour.

Residents were encouraged to get to know their student neighbours, as this can stop problems from escalating.

Councillor David Smith (Cabinet Member for Communities) reported that he has met with Letting Agents to discuss how to improve conditions in shared houses, by them signing up to some minimum standards for their properties. At present you do not need planning permission to change a family home into a shared student house, unless there are more than 6 people living there. There are Government proposals to bring this down to a maximum of 3 people (who aren't related) but this will probably not apply retrospectively. Improving the quality of student accommodation was felt to be a priority in the area.

Bob Dean suggested that all partners have a role to play in finding solutions to some of the problems experienced in the area; Council, University, landlords, students, other residents, letting agents. By working together we can develop actions which address the main issues. It was agreed that a further meeting be held in the New Year and letting agents and others be invited along.

Charles Elder from Bournemouth University and Scott from the Students Union gave a short presentation about community relations. Mr Elder stated that the University are keen to widen access to University facilities to the community. There is a need for better communications about all of the activities, events and facilities which take place at the University which are open to the community, so that they are seen as real partners.

The Students Union are very involved in volunteering and community activities. The "I BH" campaign has involved community litterpicks and other local activities and through a volunteering "Hub" students and staff are encouraged to volunteer in the community. Encouragement was given to students to volunteer alongside local community groups, such as the young people from Embassy Youth Club who are putting together a community newsletter.

It was agreed that a further meeting be held in the New Year and letting agents and other relevant parties be invited along.