ALRESFORD TOWN PARTNERSHIP

 

Minutes of the Steering Committee Meeting

On Monday 1st September 2008 at 7.30pm

at New Alresford Town Council offices, Arlebury Park

 

Present           Nigel Paterson (Chair), Sarah Coe, Margot Power, David Goodman,                Peter Pooley, Stuart McCullouch, Jackie Porter, Barbara Holyome,

                        Barbara Jeffs

 

1. Apologies    None

 

2. Chair’s welcome

Nigel Paterson welcomed everyone and it was noted that the ATP’s progress was encouraging. Thanks were given to everyone involved with the successful SEEDA bid.

Regarding the AGM on 15th September, all members agreed to continue in their roles. The suggestion of a Working Group to explore environmental issues was made. Margot Power to ask John Cattle if he would be interested. The Greening Campaign is to be fully supported by and given a voice through the ATP. Cathy Swann will be contacted about this.

There is a WCC Issues and Options meeting on 16th September to discuss Alresford’s specific issues, progress with the town plan, infrastructure needed and sustainability.

 Jackie Porter will represent the ATP.

 

3. Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising

David Goodman – Regarding items 11 and 5, there was a display about Safer Neighbourhoods by the police and a display by the Alresford Society at the Watercress Festival. Issues covered by the Alresford Society display were the disabled unfriendliness of the bus stop by the Co-op and the dangerous traffic outside the new Co-op. The Co-op has offered funding for the latter. It is impractical to move the bus stop. There was much support from various organisations. The West Street project is desirable, but will take time to complete.

Sarah Coe – Regarding item 9, Nigel Paterson will contact Kate Crawford about the Administrator’s Letter of Intent.

Jackie Porter - Relating to item 4, the footpath through Perins has been granted planning permission for it to end at the Scout Hut in Bridge Road. If the footpath is to have a link to Grange Road, planning permission needs to be re-submitted.

 

4. ‘Putting Pedestrians First’ Project – Jackie Porter

The application to SEEDA involved obtaining money for parking meters. This was much discussed at a meeting last week. Regulations regarding the new parking must be enforced. Civil Enforcement Officers can only be used if there were ticket machines. If not, the consequences could be expensive. The possibility of a voucher scheme for local people was suggested. Public discussion could be included in General Meetings. There is a need for more disabled spaces in the town. Discussions need to take place by November prior to the new parking spaces being available in January. There could also be a trial period to enforce regulations in the rest of the town.

 

5. Parking and Transport Group – Jackie Porter

The group will supervise the ‘Putting Pedestrians First’ project. The group’s main issues remain the improvements to West Street, the bridge at Sun Lane, and The Soke. The latter is quite complicated. Another issue is the junction at Jacklyns Lane and The Dean. The bus service route to Tesco that was changed in October 2007 is now being reviewed again. Peter Pooley has offered to join the group.

 

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

Two new PCSO’s visited the Youth Club at The Chapel and would like to provide extra activities in the evenings there, with access to funding. The aim is to extend the service that the Alresford Youth Association provides for young people. At the same time, it would foster the relationship between the town’s youth and the police.

Questionnaires regarding Extended Services have been circulated to some local schools, and a similar one will be circulated to Perins students.

Wild Play Areas is an option to look at, but teenagers may not want these.

Clive Surry from Perins is a member of the group, as is Margot Power.

Alresford is the preferred venue for being the Children’s Centre hub for the under 5s to serve the surrounding areas. An outreach service may be of value also.

 

7. Housing Group – David Goodman

The Housing Group has not held a meeting since the last Steering Committee meeting. 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.

 

8. Constitution revisions/suggestions – Nigel Paterson

Proposed changes to the Constitution were agreed by the Steering Committee. These changes will be made and circulated to the Steering Committee members by Nigel Paterson, and will be presented for approval at the AGM. They included adding the fact that the ATP is a partnership of organisations and interested parties in the town with the aim of working together; the provision for Working Parties to be set up; and that General Meetings should be advertised publicly. It was agreed that the ‘Powers’ section should be omitted. Safer Neighbourhoods should not be included as its future with ATP was unclear. It was suggested that the Hub owns initiative could encompass Safer Neighbourhoods. Margot Power to investigate this.

 

9. Treasurer’s report at the AGM – Barbara Jeffs

There is currently Ł221.19p in the bank account, but a reserved amount is for the John Arlott plaque. Barbara Jeffs will present a report at the AGM up to 31st August 2008. Carl Dore may be able to be an Independent Examiner of Accounts for the ATP, and Margot Power will approach him.

Fundraising is needed to boost the bank account. A social event at Arlebury Park for the unveiling of the John Arlott plaque on Saturday 22nd November was suggested. Barbara Jeffs will enquire as to the use of Arlebury Park as a venue. Margot Power will enquire as to funding from Grass Roots.

 

 

 

10. Publicity for the Partnership to reach more ages and interests – Jackie Porter

It was agreed that there is a need for more publicity for the Partnership. General meetings are advertised in the ‘What’s On’ and ‘New Alresford Forum’. Suggestions regarding the website were made. Barbara Jeffs to ask NATC if a notice with dates of the meetings could be displayed there. Another could be displayed at the Community Centre. Organisations could be contacted by post. This is to be further discussed at the next Steering Committee meeting.

 

11. The relationship between the Partnership and its partners – Margot Power

A draft copy of ‘Alresford Town Partnership Memorandum of Understanding of working relationship with New Alresford Town Council’ was shown. Changes were agreed. Once these changes have been implemented, the final document will be circulated to the Steering Committee members.

 

12. Future meeting dates

Steering Committee meeting dates are:

            Monday 3rd November 2008  

            Monday 5th January 2009

            Monday 6th April 2009

            Monday 7th September 2009

            Monday 2nd November 2009

 

General meeting dates are:

            Monday 15th September 2008 (AGM)

            Monday 17th November 2008

            Monday 19th January 2009

            Monday 20th April 2009

            Monday 21st September 2009 (AGM)

            Monday 16th November 2009

 

All meetings will commence at 7.30pm.