ALRESFORD TOWN PARTNERSHIP

 

Minutes of the Steering Group Meeting

On Monday 28th April 2008 at 7.30pm

at New Alresford Town Council offices, Arlebury Park

 

Present           Nigel Paterson (Chair), Sarah Coe, David Goodman, Peter Pooley,

                        Mike Dowsett, Jackie Porter

 

1. Apologies    Barbara Holyome, Stuart McCullouch, Margot Power, Barbara Jeffs

 

2. Chair’s welcome

Nigel welcomed all to the meeting. Peter Pooley is to be co-opted into the Steering Group, as a representative of The Alresford Society.

 

3. Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising

None

 

4. ‘Putting Pedestrians First’ Project (inc. bid to SEEDA) – Nigel Paterson & Jackie Porter

The appraisal stage last week went well. The ATP has been encouraged to bid for more money, as the outcome is not a car park but a cluster of activity that encourages local people to move around the town more on foot and less by car. Possibilities for an enlarged bid are a footpath over the Sun Lane bridge and at The Soke bridge. The latter is more complicated, although there has been a recent minor accident there. Michael Byrne (landlord at The Globe) may be interested in this. There may be a need to improve pedestrian access to the Station car park, but it was thought this was more of a tourism issue and could be contributed to by the Hidden Britain fund. In ‘Walk to School’ week beginning 19th May, PCSOs will be in Alresford for publicity regarding a footpath, which is thought to cost less than £10,000. Alresford Society has started to look at improving the West Street outlook (‘West Street Upgrade’), and Russell Gordon-Smith has devised plans. Possibilities for additional works there include new railings in the town on West Street. Points raised were widening pavements and having charging points for mobility buggies.

 

When the car park and other work are  completed, it has been recommended that there should be a launch event for it. The ATP may need to monitor the work over two to three years. A SEEDA board may also be erected for a year. It was suggested that there should be a project manager from the ATP to monitor progress, although HCC will be completing the physical work.

 

Jackie showed the plans for the car park and the footpath through Perins School. It was suggested that the 30mph limit be moved further back along The Avenue for safety reasons and this was agreed. It was thought that the residents of the new Grange Road development are opposed to having a link footpath to the planned path. This link has not been built by the developers, although it was thought that it was on their original plan. Jackie will contact Barratts about this. Planning permission is to be submitted in May, and the final plans should be ready by the end of April. It was agreed to submit planning permission for the footpath to be extended towards Bridge Road, and push for a link footpath from the Grange Road development site at a later date if a need is identified.

 

The new car park at Perins is to be zoned so that visitors will know which part to use and when. The public parking will be behind the bus bay. The school will receive an income from the charges. The plans have been agreed with the Safer Routes to School officer.

 

5. Safer Neighbourhoods – Nigel Paterson

The inclusion of this in the General Meeting agenda in February was deemed a success, although the time taken on it was an issue. There was mutual learning between the attendees and the police. David Goodman will approach the police regarding a display of Safer Neighbourhoods at the Watercress Festival.

 

6. Traffic Group – Jackie Porter

The minutes of the last Traffic Group meeting were distributed. NATT to be approached for advice regarding The Soke bridge footpath, as they own the Old Fire Station. Traffic car parking charges to be decided between NATC and WCC with reference to NATT.

 

7. Youth Group

Stuart’s notes were circulated. From the GiveUs5 survey responses so far it was noted that the youth want somewhere to go other than a youth club, e.g. a covered space, where there is no adult supervision.

 

8. Housing Group – David Goodman

David reported that after making a presentation on the Bridge Road site to the Planning Committee of NATC, who have given their support, it has not yet been possible to take it to the full Council. It is encouraging to learn that the occupants of Robins Court will include a significant percentage of people already connected with Alresford.

 

9. Administrator’s Letter of Intent – Sarah Coe

Margot’s suggestion regarding a grievance with the Chair being submitted to the Steering Group was agreed. Nigel to check the pay scale is currently correct. When this is completed, the letter can be signed. Sarah’s tax advisor has reported that as the ATP is her sole client, Inland Revenue may deem that ATP is her employer, which has tax and NI contributions implications. Mike Dowsett to check this.

 

Barbara Jeffs has reported that ATP funds are low. The HCC has been approached about its funding previously agreed but not received into the account.

 

10. Conduct and content of general meetings – Nigel Paterson

At the last general meeting in February some contributors were interrupted by others. To avoid this, all contributions should be made via the Chair.

 

General meetings will be publicised in New Alresford Forum and in What’s On. Agendas to be sent to clerks of groups/societies asking to be circulated to their members. Clive Surry will put them on the Perins website.

Funding e-mails received will not be circulated to the Steering Group unless asked for. Sarah to keep lists of these e-mails. It was suggested that there is scope to negotiate access to Alresford Pond for educational purposes. Nigel will approach the local schools about this idea, and then possibly the Chambers (who own the Pond).

 

There is a ‘Greening Campaign’ meeting on 30th April. A representative will speak at the next ATP General Meeting. General Meetings will continue to be held at the Methodist Church hall at present.

 

11. Watercress Festival – ATP involvement – David Goodman and Nigel Paterson

There will be an ATP display upstairs in the Community Centre which will include an architect department’s display, footpath plans and SEEDA progress, affordable housing, sports facilities, and the top six priorities from the GiveUs5 survey. There are display boards available to use (10 large landscape – 1x0.75m; 12 small portrait – 0.75x0.6m). There should be a notice about the display on the pavement to entice visitors. The GiveUs5 questionnaire will also be relaunched for a month to validate the survey. Steve Lincoln will help with the wording.

 

Jackie has volunteered to arrange and man the display. Peter and Nigel are free in the afternoon to help. Other members of the Steering Group to be asked for any help they can give.

 

12. Future Steering Group meeting date

Monday 1st September 2008 at the NATC offices, Arlebury Park