A group of volunteers – set up in Midhurst to carry out projects identified in the town plan – has lost its way, it has been claimed.
Now members of Midhurst Town Council are to hold a meeting with chairman of the Midhurst Community Partnership (MCP) Jim Green in a bid to put the town plan back on track.
Former chairman of Midhurst Town Council Colin Hughes told members of the F
inance and General Purposes Committee: "What was disappointing was the MCP became too big and didn't pick up on some of the smaller projects, like putting benches in the Square.
"And on top of that what has happened is the active membership has shrunk to representatives such as ourselves from local government councils, who have a voice anyway – it's become very narrow in its membership.
"One begins to wonder whether we should review what happens, how we can re-invigorate the partnership and to what extent the town plan should come back to the council."
He told town councillors the group was born after the town
plan was drawn up. Action in Rural Sussex (AiRS) suggested forming an 'ongoing partnership' to take it forward.
After a public meeting in Midhurst, the MCP was formed with Mr Green at its head.
It consisted of four groups looking at different aspects of the plan comprising around 12 members each.
"They were supposed to be an additional voice to the council and allow members of the public to take part and push forward details of the town plan. Airs said they had money to use for certain projects – they were talking about quite large sums of money."
But Mr Hughes said none of the projects had been successfully carried out.
John Quilter told fellow councillors: "I can't put my finger on one thing they have achieved. They are a conduit for funds."
Stephen Morley said he had been elected town council representative to the MCP but had not been told of a meeting recently.
"I don't question the chairman's commitment and interest, but I wonder who else is on that partnership."
What worried him, he told councillors, was hearing of plans such as the MCP taking over the Midhurst Milers Race event.
"This smacks of an organisation looking for a direction," said Judith Auchard.
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