Agenda and Minutes

To consider the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2010.

Members commented that the Lakes area to the north of Hiltingbury Road was still very untidy.  The Chair advised that assurance had been received that the area would be improved substantially within two months and this period would expire on or around the 20 May 2010. 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2010 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

 

Members were invited to declare interests in relation to items of business on the agenda.  Any interests declared are recorded in the relevant minute below.

 

Mr Bob Sprague spoke and firstly stated what a pleasure it was to be in the beautiful surroundings of The Hilt.  He then went on to comment on the general upkeep of the public areas within the Borough. In particular he drew attention to what he believed was a generally poor state of pavements and verges all around the Borough but specifically in Lakewood Road, Coultas Road, Merdon Avenue and Kingsway.  He stated that workmen had left a mess following works, gravel and stones had not been cleared from pavements since the snow.  He felt that graves in Ramalley Cemetery were unkempt as they were covered with subsoil and not grass.  He felt the town centre was now full of pound stores and charity shops whereas it had in the past been a thriving retail area.  Although recognising potholes were the responsibility of the County Council, Mr Sprague noted many of these were, in his view, due to poor patching in previous years.  

 

Mr Sprague stated in view of the above he was surprised that the Council were still prepared to ‘risk’ £32m on the hotel which formed part of the Rose Bowl redevelopment.

 

Mr David Gilchrist spoke with regard to the land behind Malcolm Close to the north of Hiltingbury Road.  Following a site meeting he felt nothing had been done within a two month period except some peripheral strimming which he felt was totally unsatisfactory, and merely began to clear the problem but for a very short time.  As a horticulturalist Mr Gilchrist had offered advice but had been told that in six months the area would look much improved however he refuted this.  Mr Gilchrist went on to criticise the quality of the minutes for previous meetings as, in his view, they had not reflected the strength of his objection to the current situation.  

 

Mr Neil Holmes thanked Councillor Davidovitz for his contribution to the area and its residents over many years, as he would not be standing for re-election.

 

He then went on to state his dismay that neighbours had paved some of the service strips in the North Millers Dale area.  He commented that he was surprised when he had been advised that the Council had been helpful in advising on such paving.  Mr Holmes felt this was setting an unfortunate precedent encouraging parking and in effect creating a four lane roadway.  Since this was a highways matter he called upon County Councillors to address any involvement by the County Council. 

 

Mrs Judith Grajewski thanked the Area Co-ordinator for his recent reply to her previous query. 

 

Mrs Grajewski then went on to comment on the poor state of grass verges within the area.  She stated she was shocked to see a Council Street Scene van parked on the grass verge under a no parking sign.  She asked what the penalty was for such parking, whether employees were subject to prosecution and whether employees were advised of the consequences of such actions. 

 

Mrs Pauline Rhodes,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

In view of Councillor Colin Davidovitz’s decision not to stand for re-election at the forthcoming local elections, the Chair expressed very best wishes to Councillor Davidovitz on behalf of the Local Area Committee and residents for his commitment and endeavours over the past 14 years.  Councillor Olson also gave his thanks to Councillor Davidovitz who was a well respected member of the Local Authority, but assured those present that Councillor Davidovitz would remain a County Councillor for another three years at least. 

 

Councillor Davidovitz asked that his thanks be recorded for the way he had been treated by the ruling group.  He stated he had many friends within Eastleigh Borough Council and all councillors worked together for the good of the Borough.  He thanked those present for their support and advised that he would carry on working for the people of Chandler’s Ford via his representation on the County Council. 

 

The Chair also expressed the Committee’s best wishes to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in the forthcoming elections. 

 

In view of the work undertaken giving advice and placing plants at Chandler’s Ford railway station the Chair asked that a letter of thanks be sent to Chandler’s Ford Gardening Club on behalf of the Local Area Committee.

 

The Chair advised the meeting that the official opening of The Hilt would take place on Wednesday 5 May in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. 

The Area Co-ordinator gave updates on the following:

 

New Police Headquarters - Hampshire Police Authority had approved the move of police headquarters from Winchester to Alpha Park, Chandler's Ford.  The scale of the proposals had to be reduced to ensure that the impact on the public purse was kept to a minimum and that the best value for money was achieved.

 

All of the functions carried out at the current headquarters in Winchester would relocate to Alpha Park together with the offices of the Hampshire Police Authority, also currently located in Winchester.  The business functions relocating included the Force Enquiry Centre (call handling), Human Resources, Finance, Business and Property Services, IT, the Constabulary's corporate development unit, its Professional Standards department, media and the Constabulary's Chief Officers.

 

Preparations were now under way to identify a suitable contractor after which detailed designs will be developed and submitted for planning permission.  It was hoped that development would start in the autumn of 2011 with an anticipated completion date of summer 2013.

 

Speed Limit Reminder Signs (SLRs) (electronic signs used to remind drivers if they are exceeding the speed limit and encourage them to slow down), the Area Co-ordinator advised that residents could continue to expect to see the SLR up at various locations in Chandler’s Ford & Hiltingbury throughout the year.  It was not an enforcement device or a speed camera. It could be set to display either the 20,30 or 40mph speed limit roundel. If travelling within the parameters of the speed limit, no reminder would be displayed. The words SLOW DOWN would flash beneath the roundel when the sign was activated.  The SLRs reminded drivers of the speed limit and helped to keep communities safe.

 

Hocombe Mead - The new Grasslands Trust Interpretation signs at Hocombe were to be installed on Thursday 20^th May at 1:30pm.  At that point, there would also be some path improvement work going on in the same area. 

 

There was a fairly new “friends group” at Hocombe which had been started by the Trust. The group had a regular monthly workday and would welcome new volunteers.

 

The project had also developed a range of regular community events for families, groups and experts alike. These well supported free activities had included such things as; a bat identification evening, raptor day, fungus foray, woodland workshop, teddy bear picnic and more recently the first ever treasure hunt and an extremely good Christmas carol evening with a candlelit walk around the reserve. The project had been extremely successful in encouraging people to visit the reserve to join in with family fun or more serious conservation events.

 

Chandler’s Ford Parish Council - Since the parliamentary elections had been called for Thursday 6 May, it was confirmed that the first elections for the parish council had to be deferred to Thursday 27 May (this was required by electoral law and was not a Borough Council decision).  Polling hours will be 7am to 10pm.

 

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

No presentation was given on this occasion.

Crown lift to 4m over drive and 5.2m over road, remove deadwood and reduce branches growing towards 3 Randall Road to allow 2m clearance, to 1No. Sweet Chestnut at front.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Development Control (Agenda item 8) concerning an application for crown lifting of a sweet chestnut, to 4m over the drive and 5.2m over the road, removal of deadwood and reduction of branches growing towards 3 Randall Road to allow 2m clearance. (Ref: T/10/66777).

 

The Committee was advised that paragraph 7 of the report had not changed and no representations had been received.

 

RESOLVED -

 

That CONSENT to tree works be agreed.

 

(NOTE: Councillor Caldwell declared an interest in this item, left the room taking no part in debate or voting thereon.)

The official launch of the Street Pastors scheme in Chandler’s Ford was introduced by Steve Nichols, a Street Pastor, and Chief Inspector Diana Boyles.

 

Mr Nichols advised the meeting that Street Pastors had started in 2003 in London and was an interdenominational Christian organisation patrolling the streets of local towns on Friday and Saturday evenings to work with people, particularly young people, who felt themselves to be excluded and marginalised.  Street Pastors were formed as part of an urban trinity comprised of the Local Council, The Police and the Church.   Street Pastors were currently already working in Southampton, Eastleigh Town Centre, Fair Oak and Horton Heath and were currently training in Hedge End, West End and Botley. 

 

Training had started for Chandler’s Ford Pastors and would be complete by the end of June.  A Commissioning service was to be held at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church on 26 June at 11am and all were welcome to come along.  The Ascension Trust would be attending also.  The first patrol would take place in Chandler’s Ford on Friday 1 July and leaflets were available.

 

Chief Inspector Boyles said she was delighted to support Street Pastors.  She explained that training had taken place over 12 weeks with volunteers giving up their Saturday mornings knowing that they may pass or fail the course.  Volunteers were required to have been involved with the church for 12 months, undergo CRB checks, provide references both from within and outside the church and still they could be turned down.  A uniform comprising of a hat and jacket was worn and Street Pastors would be working within the area on Friday nights between the hours of 8pm and midnight.  There were many people on the street at night and they may have no-one to support them so the service was invaluable.  The project had worked well in the Fair Oak area and the Street Pastors were very well received by young people in the area. 

 

Members expressed their strong support for Street Pastors and asked questions with regard to funding and the safety of Street Pastors.  They were advised that funding was essential and although the Police had been able to provide a £3000 grant there was a cost of £300 per Street Pastor appointed so more was needed.  In the seven year existence no Street Pastor had been injured and young people were keen to engage with them.  The Police safer nights team had mobile phones which were specifically to provide immediate contact from Street Pastors should they need to be contacted quickly but so far these had not been required. 

 

The Chair expressed the thanks and support of the Committee and asked them to come back to a meeting in late Autumn to keep Members advised of progress. 

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services to report:-

 

(a)               that the following appeal has been lodged:-

 

F/09/66336 – 79 Hocombe Road, Chandler’s Ford  - Appeal against refusal of application for single storey, two storey and first floor extensions, two storey front entrance and addition of new balconies to rear.

 

(LAC Decision)

 

(b)               that the following appeal has been dismissed:-

 

Unit 3/7 Avenger Close, Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh, Hants SO53 4DQ - proposed change of use of part of Unit 7 – previously class B8 (with pet food and related sales) to class A1 (bakery shop selling sandwiches and savouries) providing a service to industrial estate employees. (Ref F/09/65468)

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services reported:

 

(a)       that the following appeal had been lodged:-

 

F/09/66336 – 79 Hocombe Road, Chandler’s Ford - Appeal against refusal of application for single storey, two storey and first floor extensions, two storey front entrance and addition of new balconies to rear; and  

 

(b)       that the following appeal had been dismissed:-

 

F/09/65468 Unit 3/7 Avenger Close, Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh, Hants SO53 4DQ - proposed change of use of part of Unit 7 – previously class B8 (with pet food and related sales) to class A1 (bakery shop selling sandwiches and savouries) providing a service to industrial estate employees.

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the report be noted.

Consideration was given to a report of the Area Co-ordinator which outlined a number of local grants to voluntary organisations and community groups in the Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury local area.

 

RESOLVED -

That the Local Area Grants for the Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury area, as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report be approved.

Consideration was given to a joint report of the Area Co-ordinator and the Sport and Active Lifestyles Manager which requested the Committee consider a grant request from Thornden Tennis Club who were in the process of re-development, the detail of which included a new pavilion as part of the project. 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That a grant of £5000 be made to Thornden Tennis Club, funded from Developer’s Contribution 0/05/55740 (former Hendy Ford site, Bournemouth Road, Chandler’s Ford).