ALRESFORD TOWN PARTNERSHIP

Minutes of the AGM

Monday 15th September 2008 at 7.30pm

Methodist Church Hall

 

 

Present            Sandra Tuddenham, Jim Peglar, Wayne Curson, Margaret Gould, Sarah Snowden,

                        Roy Gentry, Ernie Jeffs, Peter Pearson, Ken Yeldham, Alison Denny, Simon

                        Cook, Audrey Giles, C.N. Perry, C.A. Perry, Clive Surry, Anthony Oxley

Steering Group members – Dr. Nigel Paterson (Chair), Sarah Coe, David Goodman, Margot Power, Jackie Porter, Stuart McCullouch, Barbara Jeffs, Peter Pooley, Barbara Holyome

 

1.  Apologies            Phil Turner, Anne Harrison, Steve Lincoln, Peter Lane, Horace Parker, Nick

                        Ashford, Simon McCowen, Barbara Purvis

 

2. Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising

None.

 

3. Chair’s report on the last year – Dr. Nigel Paterson

A warm tribute was paid to the current Chair’s predecessor, Ken Yeldham, for all he had put in place and allowing ATP to progress. A Constitution has been established, thus allowing the opening of a bank account. Thanks were given to Barbara Jeffs for her role of Treasurer. ATP’s three Working Groups continue to address local needs. The Healthcheck was completed in the summer, and ATP is now in possession of a very large and detailed piece of local research. The ‘Putting Pedestrians First Project’ focused on improving accessibility to the town, outworked through the provision of a new car park and a new footpath through Perins School. This was a wonderful opportunity for local organisations and people to work together. It is hoped that all will be in place for work to commence in December or January. There are many financial contributors, including SEEDA, Winchester City Council, the Watercress Line and the Chamber of Commerce. These funds will be administered by Winchester City Council. Parking arrangements have been passed to NATC, working in conjunction with Winchester City Council. ATP’s Parking and Transport Working Group will continue to monitor the project and report at our General Meetings. The ‘GiveUs5 questionnaire’ has seen a response of just over 200 responses. This is not statistically valid, and the questionnaire is to be held open for a little longer.

 

‘Safer Neighbourhoods’ has been incorporated into General Meetings in consultation with the Police, and the contact this has given us with the Police is appreciated. The Greening Campaign has been welcomed, and a brief update from them will be given at the next General Meeting. Thanks were given to all people and organisations that ATP has worked with. Alresford Society kindly hosted our display at the Watercress Festival. Gratitude was expressed for the support received from councillors and officers in Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council. A plaque dedicated to John Arlott will hopefully be unveiled in November. There has been some input into the Winchester Local Development framework , and ATP will continue to consult on this. Gratitude was expressed to Jim King for his encouragement to consider how our existence could be better advertised. Thanks were given to Sarah Coe, ATP’s Administrator. Nigel expressed his pleasure at having been Chair of ATP in such an eventful year.

 

Concern was expressed from the floor regarding the apparent decision to install parking meters. It was announced that no such decision had been made as yet, and many options were being looked at. Also expressed was the concern regarding the management fees for Winchester City Council. Reassurance was given that all accounts regarding the project would be audited. Congratulations were given to ATP for obtaining funds from SEEDA as any delay in the process would have meant losing the grant. It was noted that ATP and NATC had worked very well together and achieved great things.

 

4. Treasurer’s report on the last year – Barbara Jeffs

During this year the previous accounts were set out from 2005, in line with the revised Town Partnership constitution and because of the need for grant applications. In 2005-06 there was an initial grant of £750 and total expenditure of £51.50, giving a balance of £698.50 to carry forward to 2006-07. During 2007-8 the Partnership incurred a total expenditure of £605.44 leaving a balance of £93.06 to carry forward to 2008-09. The meeting was also told the Town Partnership account had now been moved to Barclays, and of the current financial position.

5. Election of new Chair, Treasurer and Administrator

There had been no nominations received for any of these posts. Those currently in the posts agreed to continue: Dr. Nigel Paterson as Chair, Barbara Jeffs as Treasurer and Sarah Coe as Administrator. This was proposed by Jackie Porter, seconded by Margot Power and unanimously approved.

 

6. Election of Steering Committee members

All members of the Steering Committee agreed to continue. This was proposed by Ernie Jeffs, seconded by Simon Cook and unanimously approved.

 

7. Changes to the Constitution – Dr. Nigel Paterson

Two additions were proposed. ‘To function in partnership with local organisations and other interested parties to work towards goals that cannot be achieved separately’ was proposed by Sarah Coe to be added to the Aims and Objects, seconded by Roy Gentry and unanimously approved. ‘The Steering Committee can propose one or more working parties for tasks of limited duration (e.g. to undertake specific local research). The terms of reference of any new working party must be approved at a General Meeting of the Partnership’ was proposed by Roy Gentry, seconded by Ken Yeldham and unanimously approved. It was noted that it is desirable that more organisations and individuals attend the General Meetings, and a more enticing agenda may be required.

 

8. Independent Examiner of accounts

Barbara Jeffs proposed that Roy Gentry continue in this role with his agreement. This proposal was seconded by Ernie Jeffs and unanimously approved.

 

9. Safer Neighbourhoods: Issues – Wayne Curson and Jim Peglar

Ken Yeldham proposed that this should continue to be hosted at General Meetings as ATP is an ideal forum, was seconded by Barbara Jeffs, and a vote showed one abstainer and the rest in agreement. Concern was expressed regarding young people gathering on the bench at the Pound Hill crossroads. Stuart McCullouch will invite an Antisocial Behaviour Officer to General meetings. Anthony Oxley proposed that a ‘Working Party to consider and make recommendations about the nuisance at the bench situated at Pound Hill crossroads’ be set up, was seconded by Barbara Jeffs and unanimously approved. Stuart McCullouch will chair the Working Party, and Anthony Oxley will be a member. Rebecca Goulding will be asked to join, as will a representative from the Women’s Institute. Jim Peglar reported that Alresford Police Station will be re-opened very soon after public consultation, and its opening hours will be publicised. There is also a new patrolling police officer in the area with a bicycle as a mode of transport.

 

 10. Parking and Transport Group – Jackie Porter

A summary sheet of the Group’s achievements and potential work was distributed (attached).

Concern was expressed regarding the poor state of many pavements in the town.

JP reported that Hampshire County Council is considering the introduction of a by-law to prevent cars from parking on pavements as this is currently legal, unless a police officer witnesses a car crossing the kerb.

 

A question about overgrown hedges was raised: JP reported that overgrown garden hedges are the landowner’s responsibility, but in case of difficulty the complainant should contact the town council initially to progress the complaint, who can then send a model letter issued by HCC.

 

11. Housing Group – David Goodman

Spring Gardens could not be an exception site as it is already a reserve site, and as such has full commercial value. The group still wishes to promote the Bridge Road site as an exception site, but cannot progress until the issue of Trust status for Perins School is decided. This decision is expected shortly. It is pleasing that Robins Court will be officially opened on 18th September. This is 100% social housing, and it is understood that several of the new tenants have local links.

 

12. Children and Young People’s Task Group – Stuart McCullouch

Stuart is now the Extended Services co-ordinator, and links with this service are therefore much improved. A questionnaire has already been sent out to primary school children and their parents about services and facilities they would like. An initial analysis has been done, and the results will be fed into an action plan for the area. A questionnaire aimed at secondary school level is being developed. Stuart has been co-opted onto the Town Council Recreation Committee, and will use these questionnaire results to help inform their agenda. One successful action was the introduction of a much needed Breakfast Club and After School Club at Ropley School, which are well-utilised. There have been many initiatives beginning, both locally and nationally, and it is pleasing that these do seem to be getting more integrated. The two local PCSOs have offered to help extend the youth activities at the Old Chapel in the Dean so that youngsters can develop their social skills. The aim is to form a partnership between the Alresford Youth Association, the Police and the Hampshire Youth Service to deliver the additional activities. Fundraising to improve the audiovisual equipment at the Old Chapel in order to add variety to the new activities will soon be underway.

 

13. Dates of future meetings

Future meeting dates are:

 

            Monday 17th November 2008

            Monday 19th January 2009

            Monday 20th April 2009

            Monday 21st September 2009 (AGM)

            Monday 16th November 2009

 

Meetings will start at 7.30pm at the Alresford Methodist Church Hall.