Minutes of a meeting of the above Council held at Wickham Community Centre on Monday 24^th April 2006 at 7.15pm. 

Present: Mrs A Clear (Chairman), Mrs J Mallett (Vice-Chairman),

Mr M Carter, Mr M Coles, Mr F Duckworth, Mrs D Dudley,

Mrs T Evans (District Councillor), Mrs J Hollis, Dr M O’Connell,

Mr E Pickering, Mrs S Roger-Jones.

Mr F Allgood (County Councillor), Mr P Chegwyn Festival organiser, nine members of the public, Parish Clerk Mrs N Oliver

1                    To receive apologies for absence: Mr P Clohosey (District Councillor)

2                    To receive declarations of interest on agenda items: none

To adjourn meeting to allow participation of members of the public    

Steve Opacic WCC Head of Strategic Planning attended to discuss the role of village design statements within the new planning regulations.

Mr Opacic advised that the new planning regulations require the City Council to produce a Local Development Framework, a village design statement can be incorporated within this Framework.

New policies mean that existing village design statements will become increasingly outdated, this particularly applies to the Wickham VDS as it was one of the earlier models.

A VDS should aim to influence design rather than debate whether development should happen, it has little control over infrastructure issues such as perceived deficiencies in drainage provision or potential increases in traffic congestion.  A VDS provides an opportunity to highlight important features and set out examples of acceptable development.

Members of the VDS team expressed concerns that:

• A VDS cannot express a strategic view for the future of Wickham.
• Infrastructure issues do not appear to be relevant to a VDS.
• An initial draft for the ‘Buildings and Space’ section of the VDS was very specific and was watered down by Winchester City Council before the document was adopted.
• At a WCC site meeting to view the proposals for Star Corner, questions were asked relating to the VDS and the Chairman stated he had not read it.
• At a WCC site meeting held to discuss the redevelopment of the Animed site the Chair asked WCC Officers whether the VDS carried any weight.
• In the light of the above the VDS Team felt their time and effort had been wasted.
• The general design of houses built in Wickham since the VDS was adopted is considered to be very poor, developers do not appear to be aware of the VDS and the houses built could have been built anywhere in the UK.
• It is important that a revised VDS results in better design.
• There are a number of planning infringements within the conservation area.

A resident who was not involved with the VDS asked that areas outside the centre of the village be included in a revised document.

Mr Opacic advised that developers are now encouraged to consult locally before submitting applications, this should allow for local input at the earliest stage.  The parish plan process may be the best way to raise awareness of infrastructure deficits.    

He agreed that there is a need to raise overall standards of design and it is possible that a district wide design statement could be produced to address this.

Mr Opacic felt members were provided with sufficient training to know that VDS’s exist.

Although areas outside the centre of the village are important it is suggested that effort should be concentrated on areas where change is likely to occur.

Planning infringements in the conservation area can take time to resolve and must be significant enough to justify enforcement resources.

Despite the perceived drawbacks to a Village Design Statement it is better to have something to indicate local wishes than not.

District Cllr Evans stated that she believes committee members do take VDS’s into account.

3.1 Report from County Councillor: Please see attached report.

3.2 Reports from District Councillors: Please see attached report.

3.3 Other questions from members of the public

Resident Sue Fitzgerald asked when the work to the parking meters in The Square would be completed.  The Chairman replied that the Parish Council had not been informed by WCC that the work was taking place or how long it would take which was disappointing.

A completion date for the resurfacing of the Church crossroads was also sought. (Action Cllr Allgood)

Councillors wished to thank Mrs Fitzgerald for organising the very successful Wickham Music Festival, the standard of performances was very high and it was disappointing that audiences were small at times.

4. Meeting resumed to approve the minutes of the Full Council meeting 20^th March 2006. Minutes approved and signed.

5. Matters properly arising from those minutes

The Parish Council has received a reply from Portsmouth Diocese regarding the use of glebe land as a burial ground, the Diocese has a policy not to release glebe land for use as a burial ground as it does not make the best use of its assets ‘since such a use would effectively mean that land was lost for any other purpose indefinitely,’

6. Agenda items:

6.1 To receive progress report on plans for the Annual Parish Assembly 7pm Thursday 25^th May (Clerk.)  Plans are progressing; it was agreed that a lifetime achievement award should be included next year.

6.2 To receive a progress report on Quality Parish Application (Clerk.)

HAPTC has changed its advice and suggested waiting until June before applying to allow for the appointment of a new chairman to the panel.

6.3 To receive a report from Knowle Community representatives

(Cllr Pickering).

Berkeley Homes is appealing against the s.106 issues on planning permission for Phase 3,6 & 8, this relates to the provision of play and recreation facilities.

The advertising signs on Knowle Road have been removed following the refusal of planning permission by Fareham BC.

6.4 To progress Wickham Parish Plan action items  (Cllr Pickering/Clerk).

A revised draft final report has been circulated to councillors for comments.

6.5 Youth Club Committee report (Chairman/Cllr Carter)

The Youth Club continues to be popular, a successful sleepover was held at the Community Centre over Easter.

6.6 General Purposes Committee report (Cllr O’Connell )

Footpath clearing from the Square to McCarthys is still awaited.

6.7 Lighting Committee report (Chairman).

The CSI bid for 2006/7 was successful with 50% funding agreed for a new light for the footpath between the Community Centre and Buddens Road, the corner of Wykeham Field and two lights on Hoads Hill.

6.8 Planning Committee report (Cllr Mallett).

6.8.1 To receive minutes of meeting 27^th March 2006. Minutes received.

6.9 Recreation Committee report  (Cllr Roger-Jones).

A workshop will be held on Saturday 22^nd April to consult with residents on the preferred play equipment designs for The Circle, Community Centre and Recreation Ground. It was agreed to give the Committee delegated powers to negotiate with Kompan to provide and install the chosen designs, to a value not exceeding £120,000

6.10 Traffic and Highways Representative's report (Chairman).

Potholes in Titchfield Lane have been patched, a road sign on Hoads Hill is to be replaced.  Dynorod were asked to clear a drain from the public WC’s that was referred wrongly to the Parish Council. WCC has agreed to pay the invoice.        

6.11 Water Meadows Committee Report. (Cllr Mallett)

The refurbishment of the benches has been completed; the work to form a second informal path at the base of the railway bank has started.

6.12 Finance Committee report: (Chairman) No report this month.

6.13 Cemetery Committee (Chairman) No report this month.

6.14 Wickham Tourism Group –Report from recent meeting (Cllr Carter)

Cllr Carter attended a meeting with businesses and WCC Tourism Officer and it was agreed that the businesses should lead tourism projects and the Parish Council should support.  Some initial discussion took place regarding a leaflet but an overall plan is required first.

6.15 To receive update on proposal for a Folk Festival in Wickham

The Chairman thanked organiser Peter Chegwyn for attending again.

Mr Chegwyn reassured residents that the festival would be on a small scale, similar to that recently held in Fareham.  The Fareham Festival celebrated its 15^th Anniversary (without incident) this year.  The festival will be folk and not rock music and usually attended by a middle class, middle aged audience.  It is not flagged up as a folk festival due to the beard and sandal image that has remained with ‘folk’ from early decades.

Parking and camping will take place outside the village off Blind Lane, 100 caravans/tents at most are envisaged.  24 hour security will be employed and no barbeques or late night parties will be permitted.  Winchester City Council sets out clear rules for WC facilities which will be cleaned twice a day.  Stewards will control the parking and pedestrians will use field access to the site rather than roads.  The maximum audience will be 1000 and number of cars anticipated at 1 per 2.4 members of the audience.

A full time Health and Safety Officer will be employed and maximum noise permitted is 15dB above background levels of nearest house.

Mr Chegwyn assured those present that noisy bands had not been booked and that noise monitoring was part of the controls for the event. 

6.16 Report on recent meetings attended by Councillors.

HAPTC Chairmanship training (Cllr Dudley)

Hampshire Constabulary Launch Event (Cllr Dudley)

Flooding Strategic Planning (Cllr Mallett)

A South East Hants Catchment Flood Management Plan is to be drawn to cover the next 100 years.  It is very broad ranging and will require cooperation between Southern Water and the Environment Agency.  The Environment Agency only has advisory powers at present and at the meeting it was suggested that it should have more statutory powers.

7. Recent correspondence

WCC Play Area inspections 2006

HCC Community Safety Initiative our bids for the Buddens Rd/Community Centre footpath, Hoads Hill, School Rd and Fareham Rd were successful.

Invite to Mayor’s Sunday Service 21^st May – emailed to all councillors

Invite to public dinner in honour of the retiring Mayor tickets £38 Friday 12^th May

Newsletters

HCC Hampshire Market Towns Project Winter newsletter

Information

WCC Council Minutes 19^th April 2006

Inland Revenue Employer Bulletin

Hampshire Fare Producers of food, drink and craft booklet

Community Safety Strategy

Making Hampshire Safer Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plan 2006/9

HCC Plans for 40mph speed limit on Titchfield Lane and Fontley Road.

8. Accounts for payment: It was resolved to pay accounts as set out on P6

9.  Questions and comments from Councillors

Wickham Community Centre is running a silver surfer’s week 20^th – 26^th May, hosted by IBM including the services of Cllr Pickering.

Meeting closed 9.45pm

8. Accounts for payment

Reports

3.1 Report from County Councillor Mr F Allgood

Regional Plan – latest

The South East of England Regional Assembly’s Plan for 2006-2026 has been lodged with the Deputy Prime Minister. A public consultation on the plan will run from now until 23^rd June.  A special form is available to make representations to the assembly, available from the website.

The plan includes a massive development north of Fareham and the parish council may wish to express its concerns about this and the need to ensure there is a strong green belt between the strategic development area and Knowle Village.

Winchester Road

Following concerns from residents about heavy lorries in and near Winchester Road, the county’s chief engineer for traffic management and road safety has looked at the matter.  This is an A registered road and as such has a legitimate function in carrying cross county traffic including heavy goods vehicles.  A weight restriction on this road as requested by residents, would be difficult to implement without diverting heavy vehicles onto less suitable roads.

Children’s rights

Hampshire initiative on Rights, Respect and Responsibilities has been praised as a model for other counties.  The county has been working with UNICEK UK to put the UN Convention on Children’s Rights at the centre of a school’s teaching ethos.  The initiative stresses the rights of children coupled with their responsibilities to show respect.  Teachers have indicated that they are happy with the  programme since the number of detentions has halved, bullying is reduced and exclusions cut by 70%.

Nationality Checking Service

Applications for British citizenship have been made simpler thanks to a new service from the county council.  Individuals who qualify for British passports can go to the Register Office in Fareham and have their forms and documents checked.  It means that important personal documents will no longer have to be submitted through the post.

Library fines

Fines for late return of books to Hampshire Libraries are being increased from 10p to 15p per day.  Users of the library have four weeks to read their books, while most counties limit the usage to three weeks.  Renewals can be handled by email, or telephone.

3.2 Report from District Councillor Mrs T Evans

WCC has agreed to increase its grant to the Community Association as the Parish Council agreed to increase its contribution.

WCC is exploring the possibility of a purpose built community hall at Knowle combined with sports facilities.  There are ongoing problems with heating and also noise issues with the chapel.

Travel tokens can be used for another year but new tokens will not be issued.  WCC has agreed a £10,000 grant towards community transport to assist with this change.

The Community Safety Strategy has been printed and wardens are being employed in the City.  Wardens could visit Wickham if necessary.

An athletics track is being constructed at Bar End, it is hoped it will be a potential training camp for the Olympics in due course.

Winchester Tourist Information Centre won the gold award in the Tourist Information Centre of the Year category of the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2006.