A six-month residents panel has completed its final session to agree a shared action plan for Bournemouth town centre, which will now be drafted for approval and released early next year.
The group of fifty residents was drawn at random from around two hundred and fifty applicants and met five times since June to learn about the town, examine challenges and agree practical steps.
The final meeting at Patch on the first floor of Bobby’s on Saturday fifteen November allowed members to review ideas and decide on priorities for the plan they will help deliver.
Jessica Toale said it had been encouraging to see the level of commitment shown throughout the process, adding that people approached the work positively and wanted to stay involved beyond the planned sessions.
Panellist Matt Usher said the panel offered a chance to contribute to solutions and hear from people with different perspectives, which he felt demonstrated how many residents care about the town.
Council Leader Millie Earl said it had been valuable to hear from people who do not usually take part in discussions, including young people who shared their experiences directly.
Ideas focused on safety, events and addressing empty shops, and the final action plan will set out who needs to do what to make progress.
Over the six months, the panel heard from town centre councillors, Dorset Police and the Town Centre BID, with the process designed by Bournemouth planner Richard Eastham, who described the approach as new for the town and very promising.
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