AN ACTION team formed to tackle problems in central Weymouth has set out its plans to transform the area and nurse it back to health.

Reducing crime, creating jobs, improving the health of residents, and cleaning up the area are all in the sights of the Melcombe Regis Board, set up to address the serious inequalities which blight the area.

While at the ‘vibrant heart’ of Weymouth, Melcombe Regis is among the top 10 per cent of the country’s most deprived neighbourhoods.

It is recognised that it has suffered from the structural decline of seaside resorts, low paid seasonal jobs and poorer quality housing has created a high transient population many with complex needs.

And as the town centre ward, homelessness and rough sleeping is ‘visible and rising’.

Concerns have been raised by locals the board hasn’t done enough since it was established last year.

Now a comprehensive five-year strategic plan focusing on housing, crime, health, environment and community has been drawn up with actions such as:

Helping empty shops back into use and getting property owners to properly maintain buildings

Improving ‘unattractive and unsafe’ streets and open spaces including ridding the area of ‘problem pockets’ of public land

Providing a shared services centre as a local resource for access to skills, training and employment

Improving pedestrian safety, better lighting and improved play/recreation facilities

New support service to help alcoholics and drug users

More work on reducing street-drinking rough sleeping & begging

Targeted schemes to help people stop smoking, lose weight, do more exercise, etc

Working with the college to promote apprenticeships and business start-ups

Identifying job opportunities linked to regeneration sites

Provide a mixed range of affordable housing and improving housing conditions

Encouraging community events and projects

Supporting and developing the Park Community Centre

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s management committee will be given an update on the work of the board at a meeting next Tuesday and be urged to back the plan.

Head of Community Protection Graham Duggan says in a report: “The plan maps out longer term goals and actions which will be reviewed and refreshed annually.

“The main purpose of the board is to facilitate change and to achieve that it needs to work in partnership with all those agencies and groups involved in delivering services and supporting people in the area.”

The board has been given £100,000 to get the work going but has only used a small amount so far. It will be requiring further funds, along with applying for grants to fund specific projects.

Work is already underway by the board and examples of actions by the board and partners include:

Survey of properties to identify licensable HMOs and offer loan assistance where conditions are poor

Crescent Street Surgery, and later other surgeries, referring concerns regarding poor housing conditions directly to council

‘Community capacity officer’ and two mental health practitioners working with rough sleepers appointed by the board

Funding of enterprise co-ordinator to lead work around new employment and skills plan

Replacing/refurbishing worn out litter bins and putting them back in the Park District

Operation Energy by Dorset Police targeting drug dealers continues

Support for vulnerable including those at greatest risk of ‘cuckooing’

Public Space Protection Order in place later this year to further control anti-social behaviour (ASB)

Work continues to targets persistent ASB offenders in town centre

Additional funding secured for The Lantern Trust

'Complex issues' affect area

THE board brings together a number of different organisations including Aster Housing, Dorset CCG, the borough and county councils, Dorset Police, Dorset PCC, the fire service, Public Health Dorset, and Weymouth College.

Members of the board visited the area a few weeks ago as part of an intelligence gathering process, speaking to various people in the community.

At the time Matt Prosser, Chief Executive of Weymouth & Portland Borough Council and Chairman of the Melcombe Regis Board, said: “There are complex issues that affect parts of Melcombe Regis, which we can tackle more effectively by working closely together and also with the community.

“The board has the power to make changes and having so many senior people involved means we are well placed to deliver through increased partnership working.”