THE Whitehill and Bordon opportunity has made further progress this week, following the announcement that a change to the structure of the working group has been made and a request for further funding has been received by the district council. East Hampshire District Council's cabinet will consider the request for a further £230,000 for the project at their next meeting on Wednesday, September 19. At the same time as these bold moves forward, the old steering group is being replaced with a more streamlined executive group and topic-based policy groups. Ferris Cowper, leader of the council and chairman of the opportunity group, said: "The new executive group will lead, manage and co-ordinate the key elements of work on the project to help realise the 'Green Town' vision. "This new arrangement will enable more people to participate in the project. It will help us ensure we get the best possible outcome from the defence training review, not only for the people of Whitehill/ Bordon, but the district as a whole. "As an added measure of our commitment, cabinet is being asked to contribute a further £230,000 to the project this year, in addition to more than £80,000 we have already earmarked," he added. ""We have a great opportunity to modernise the town and get the facilities that everyone wants." The executive group will include representatives from the town, district and county council's, the town partnership, South East England Development Agency, Defence Estates, English Partnership, Natural England and the Ministry of Defence. Nominations for posts on the new streamlined executive group are currently being gathered, and it is hoped that the results will be announced in the autumn. The executive group will be supported by policy groups which are designed to investigate issues and topics in more depth, working with local people, organisations and businesses, and working very closely with the town council and partnership. In its four years to date, the Opportunity Steering Group has laid the groundwork for a new master plan for the area and has got Whitehill/Bordon recognised by central government in its South-East Area plan. Plans to prioritise the improvement of Whitehill and Bordon were unveiled by East Hampshire District Council at last week's full council meeting held on September 5. The plans, detailed in the council's Strategy Update of 2007/08, were approved at the meeting. The plans also cover increasing recycling, improving customer service and promoting social justice in the area. In his preface to the update, council leader Ferris Cowper said: "I am determined that East Hampshire District Council will be the most innovative and creative local authority in Britain. "By stating what our priorities will be, we can ensure that resources are directed effectively to our community goals. "The priorities identified in this document will provide the main foundation for future choices about local services and the setting of budgets." The strategy update covers the period to May 2008, when a brand new council strategy will be agreed for the next three years, following local consultation.
