We're delighted to share some key news from the recent AGM. PRA members officially approved the dissolution of the Poundbury Residents Association (PRA) and welcomed its successor, the Community Association of Poundbury (CAoP), which will soon be registered as a Community Interest Company (CIC). This decision reflects an important step forward for our community, ensuring a more inclusive and robust association for residents, workers, and volunteers alike.
The resolutions to dissolve the Poundbury Residents Association (PRA) and establish the Community Association of Poundbury (CAoP) as a Community Interest Company (CIC) were both passed with overwhelming majorities, in accordance with the PRA constitution. This marks a significant milestone for our community, enabling a smoother transition to a stronger, more inclusive structure that will better serve everyone who lives, works, or volunteers in Poundbury.
A CIC structure offers significant benefits. It provides a stronger legal framework for the association, reduces personal liability for its members, and, crucially, allows us to apply for grants to fund community initiatives. This new chapter empowers us to do more for Poundbury while remaining guided by our shared commitment to improving quality of life here.
New Virtual Community Hub!
We're excited to announce the launch of the Love Poundbury Virtual Community Hub (VCH), which was previewed at the AGM earlier this week. The VCH will officially go live on Saturday, March 29, at https://www.lovepoundbury.org.
This new digital resource will serve as a central focus for our community, providing a platform where residents can learn about everything Poundbury has to offer, from events and local services to updates on important community projects. It will also encourage engagement on key issues that matter to our members, fostering a stronger and more connected community. Members warmly welcomed this initiative, and we are eager to see it become a valuable tool for everyone in Poundbury!
What's Next?
Minutes of the AGM and the final plan for the year will be shared by the end of April. We'll also set a date for the new association's first general meeting and share the draft application for CIC status with the community. Stay tuned for more details!
Of course, your involvement is vital. We're still looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join us in making a difference. If you're interested, please get in touch—we'd love to hear from you: volunteering@lovepoundbury.org.
A Special Thanks!
We extend our thanks to Mayor Robin Potter for his support, Councillor William Gibbons for his local updates during the AGM, Dorset Councillor Richard Briggs for his helpful input on road adoptions, and Emma Scott, DTC Community Development Officer, for her valuable insights into local community development. More details will be in next week's newsletter. We are excited about continuing to work closely with them to achieve our shared goals.
Exciting Changes Ahead!
This edition marks the final week of the Weekly Digest. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the PRA communications team—Trudy Ritsema, Jerry Cooke, and Sue Cooke—for their incredible work and dedication in keeping the Digest going under challenging technical constraints. Starting next week, the newsletter will return in full, with enhancements led by the communications team and supported by our new virtual hub developer, Elliot Wareham. Expect a fresh, improved format to keep you informed and connected!
This is an exciting time for all of us. Together, as the CAoP, we can build on past successes and drive meaningful initiatives to benefit our whole community.
Thank you for your support—we're looking forward to a bright future together!
Zoe Bell, Chair
Tim Wilmot, Communications Director
David Prince, Development Director
Graham Chapman, Operations Director
for the new Community Association of Poundbury/LovePoundbury
