ALRESFORD TOWN PARTNERSHIP

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING

HELD ON MONDAY 17TH NOVEMBER AT 7.30PM

ALRESFORD METHODIST CHURCH HALL

 

 

Present           Sarah Snowden, Steve Opacic, Sgt. Wayne Curson, Mr. And Mrs. Lawson, Roy Gentry, Peter and Moira Jackson, Miranda Pinch, Diana Wooldridge, Ernie Jeffs

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

 

 

 

1. Apologies    Steve Lincoln, Peter Lane, Simon Cook, Kate Crawford, Caroline and Nick Perry, Cathy Swann

 

2. Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising

None

 

3. Chair’s report – Nigel Paterson

Margot Power and Nigel Paterson have been working on a lengthy ‘Grassroots’ funding application for £5,000. This is due to be submitted soon. ATP is hoping to increase publicity via local press releases throughout the year. There may also be the option to display a poster regarding meetings on the NATC noticeboard. Permission to use the Community Centre board has been confirmed. It was noted that neighbouring parishes are under-represented at meetings, despite being invited. It was suggested that ATP representatives attend their parish meetings as an agenda item. Sgt Wayne Curson offered to be such a representative, as the police attend. A social event was also suggested to raise both ATP’s profile and funds.

 

4. Alresford Greening Campaign update – Nigel Paterson

Cathy Swann was unable to attend. ATP supports the campaign. Nigel Paterson urged attendees to co-operate with the card system and to encourage others to do so.

 

5. Safer Neighbourhoods : Issues – Sgt. Wayne Curson

The ‘Your Voice Your Community’ campaign was launched almost a year ago. The results show the top three policing priorities for the community are speeding, more police patrols and anti-social behaviour. Reports of speeding are received, and many motorists are stopped when in the ‘warning zone’, i.e. they are driving at just above the speed limit. Flashing speed indicator boards are available, and NATC are considering the purchase of a moveable board for £2,500. ATP support this. Other neighbouring parishes share such boards. ATP is unable to help with obtaining more police patrols, as this is a Hampshire Constabulary issue. Anti-social behaviour has declined from last year, which indicates the issue is being tackled successfully. Most reports have been about petty theft. The new Chief Constable, Alex Marshall, has said he would like to see less bureaucracy and more officers walking the beat. Statistical graphs are attached.

 

6. Working Party to consider and make recommendations about the nuisance at   

    the bench situated at Pound Hill crossroads – Stuart McCullouch

The Working Party has met once, and consists of Stuart McCullouch (Chair), Anthony Oxley (Neighbourhood Watch warden), Sgt. Wayne Curson and Rebecca Goulding (District Acceptable Behaviour Officer). Concern had been expressed about the nuisance from this bench spreading towards the Perins gate in Jacklyns Lane, but there have been few reports to police regarding this. Anthony Oxley will obtain reports from neighbours. Letters are to be circulated to those involved from Perins in consultation with the police. The next meeting of the Working Party is on Wednesday 19th November, and a statistician will also be present. Anti-social behavior in Alresford has been reduced due to police visits to known ‘hot spots’. Littering was also highlighted as a problem, and it was noted that a planning application to increase a wall height had been made by the property owners behind the bench. Removing the bench is not an option, as others use it sensibly. Re-siting it may be viable. A suggestion was made that more benches should be provided to prevent large groups in one area, and also about some form of shelter in the town where young people can congregate. The Co-op will have an exhibition displayed soon of their plans for improving their frontage, and the police were invited to attend to see if a bench could be incorporated. Concerns regarding the noise at the footpath from Jacklyns Lane through to Lime Road have been expressed to NATC. It was noted that there is not only one group of young people, and stereotypes about youth behaviour should be avoided. Any anti-social behavior must be reported to police so that there is a record.

 

7. GiveUs5 questionnaire progress – Nigel Paterson

The Alresford Healthcheck provided the 25 possible priorities for this questionnaire, with the opportunity of another that was not listed. Only approximately 200 responses were received which is not statistically significant. Current Year 11 students at Perins will be asked to complete one. Findings from all the questionnaire responses will be reported at the next General Meeting.

 

8. Local Development Framework update – Steve Opacic (WCC)

Steve Opacic distributed an update to attendees (attached), and explained progress as stated on the update. Questions were taken from the floor, continuing with Steve Opacic’s agreement at the end of the meeting as time was limited. Concern was expressed as to whether Barton Farm will be developed as this would affect Alresford. No decisions have been made regarding where developments will occur. Developments cannot be stopped, but they can be counted towards housing targets. Sites need to be identified to supply enough houses. Basic infrastructure will be ensured. Targets for affordable housing should be set. Renewable energy provision will be considered. Alresford Society representative, Peter Pooley, stated that it was good that the needs of the town were considered, but that housing developments outside boundaries is undesirable, and re-development of industrial and/or school sites could be an option. One-bedroom dwellings are not practical for Alresford as affordable housing. NATC reported that the possible development of sites at Arlebury Park and east of Sun Lane are undesirable; Steve Opacic reported no decisions have been made. Roy Gentry stated that 300 new houses is acceptable to Alresford, but viable alternatives must be discussed together. Steve Opacic reported there are no resources to do this with every community. Depending on provisions that Winchester can give, Alresford may not be included if there are large allocations in fewer areas. Advice from County Estates is that the re-siting of the schools and industrial units and re-development on the old sites is not currently viable. Detailed infrastructure is a planning requirement. NATC’s response to the LDF has not had a formal response from WCC, but this will be done. The point was raised that there may be little or no development occurring at present due to the current financial climate. There are opportunities to talk freely at cabinet meetings as groups or individuals. Steve Opacic was thanked for his attendance.

 

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

Stuart McCullouch gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding Extended Services through Extended Schools, which includes schools in Alresford, Cheriton, Four Marks, Preston Candover and Ropley. It was derived from the government paper ‘Every Child Matters’ (2003) and the Children’s Act (2004). Its aim is to work with partners to offer a range of services and activities, such as after school and breakfast clubs, community access to school facilities, swift and easy access to services via referrals. Stuart McCullouch is the Co-ordinator for Extended Services, and its Steering Group and stakeholders are still in a formative stage. Local successes have been the introduction of a football club at Cheriton run by Team Elite and a Breakfast and Afterschool club at Ropley. A questionnaire will be distributed to Perins students soon. It is hoped there will soon be ‘signposting’ media to enable people to access services. It was suggested this could be incorporated into the LDF. The Alresford Youth Association provides a youth club at The Chapel in The Dean one day a week, and it is hoped this frequency will increase with police input. The Hampshire Youth Team are excellent.

 

10. Parking and Transport Group including ‘Putting Pedestrians First’ progress

      and the regulation of parking in Alresford – Jackie Porter

The Alresford Healthcheck was the source for the ‘Putting Pedestrians First’ project. The group usually hold meetings after each ATP General Meeting. A major part of this is the SEEDA project, involving the new car park and footpath at Perins. There has been some delay with this regarding the land lease as Perins school has applied for Trust status. It is important the car park blends in with Alresford’s character. The Group aims to meet every fortnight until the car park is completed. Peter Pooley from Alresford Society has agreed to be the ATP representative who officially checks progress on the car park. SEEDA boards need to be erected, and an opening ceremony needs to be co-ordinated. Jackie confirmed that the Town parking enforcements are the responsibility of NATC and WCC. It was noted that Alresford Society are keen to avoid more street furniture such as parking meters. There has been a community planning meeting  with WCC to discuss the other areas for improvement: Soke Bridge, Sun Lane bridge, more disabled access across the whole town, including residential areas, The Dean crossroads, railings in West Street and disabled access to the bus stop in West Street.

 

 

11. Alresford Healthcheck – a summary version planned – Jackie Porter

Depending on funding, a summary of the document should be available to the public in Spring 2009. All the main partners will be invited to view the summary prior to publication.

 

12. Future meeting dates

     Monday 19th January 2009

     Monday 20th April 2009

     Monday 21st September 2009 (AGM)

     Monday 16th November 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BJ to check NATC permission

 

 

JP to liaise with parishes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NP to liaise with Perins and report at next meeting