Agenda and minutes

To record the names of apologies given

There were no apologies received at this meeting.

To receive any disclosure of interests from Councillors or Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note: Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs), other registerable interests (ORIs) and non-registerable interests (NRIs) in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct.

If you require advice, please contact the appropriate Democratic Services Officer, prior to the meeting.

Councillor Batho declared a disclosable pecuniary interest concerning agenda item 8 (Update from Stagecoach) as an employee of Stagecoach.  He left the room during the consideration of this item taking no part in the discussion thereon.

Councillors Tod declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of various items on the agenda due to his role as a Hampshire County Councillor.  However, as there was no material conflict of interest, he remained in the room, spoke and voted under the dispensation granted on behalf of the Audit and Governance Committee to participate and vote in all matters which might have a County Council involvement.

There were no announcements made at this meeting.

That the minutes of the meeting be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 June 2025 be approved and adopted.

To receive and note the questions asked and statements made from members of the public on issues relating to the responsibility of this Forum.

Members of the public and visiting councillors may speak at the Forum, provided they have registered to speak three working days in advance. Please contact Democratic Services by 5pm on Friday, 5 September 2025 via democracy@winchester.gov.uk or (01962) 848 264 to register to speak and for further details.

Ian Tait spoke during public participation and a summary of his comments are set out below. 

In addition, Edna Boden spoke during item 6 (Winchester Bus Services) and a summary of her comments are set out under the relevant minute below.

Ian Tait

He queried the delays in cleaning and repairing the Buttercross as he had previously been advised this would take place during the summer months, subject to weather conditions and contractor availability.  He also asked why there had also been delays to improvements at Hyde Gate and why there were no updates on the website regarding these delays.  Finally, he expressed concern about the current condition of the former River Park Leisure Centre (RPLC) building.

Councillor Tippett-Cooper provided an update regarding the Buttercross and Hyde Gate and it was agreed that the council’s website be updated to outline the current situation.  An update was also provided on the current consultation regarding the future of the RPLC building.

Edna Boden spoke during public participation regarding this item and a summary of her comments are set out below.

Mrs Boden spoke in opposition to the withdrawal of the number 4 bus service which had provided a crucial link for Fulflood residents.  She emphasised that the steep hills in the area made it very difficult for anyone with mobility issues to access the alternative bus services along the Romsey Road or Stockbridge Road.  This had resulted in residents having to pay for taxis instead.  She advised that a petition had been submitted to Danny Chambers, MP and requested that Stagecoach reinstate a regular service on the route (for example, twice per day) with a smaller bus.

Councillor Westwood thanked Mrs Boden for her comments and outlined the action the council was undertaking, included contacting Hampshire County Council (HCC) regarding the potential for the route to be classed as socially necessary and also the possible alternative use of community transport providers.

Councillor Westwood welcomed James O’Neill, Commercial Director for Stagecoach South to the meeting who provided an update on the latest position regarding Winchester bus services. He advised that HCC had also been invited to attend but unfortunately no officer had been available.  However, HCC had agreed to a joint meeting with the city council, Stagecoach and the Cabinet Member and the discussions of the Forum would be passed to this joint meeting.

James O’Neill provided an update which included details of the following:

a)    In the Winchester area, Stagecoach ran just under 50 vehicles, employed approximately 150 staff, and carried around two and a half million passengers annually. He noted that most of the buses operated on a commercial basis without subsidy.

b)    During COVID, the government had provided temporary funding to assist the network's recovery but most of those funding streams had now stopped.

c)    Winchester was experiencing the slowest recovery of commercial passengers of all Stagecoach South's regions. While student numbers remained relatively strong, other routes, particularly the Park and Ride, were carrying far fewer passengers than before.

d)    Specific government-funded schemes had been used to add journeys to service 66 to Romsey, service 64, and to create a new hourly service to Andover, which included a new Sunday service. The expectation was that this "kickstart funding" would help operators create commercially viable services within two to three years.

e)    He acknowledged the significant funding pressures faced by local transport authorities like HCC and as part of the HCC’s 2025 savings programme, contracts for some services Stagecoach ran (specifically the 61 and 46 routes) ended in August and were not renewed.

f)      Regarding the number 4 service, he explained its revenue only covered approximately 75% of its running costs and despite efforts to attract passengers through fare caps and promotions, it remained significantly unprofitable.

g)    The number 7 service was altered to provide two journeys a day for Teg Down and four journeys a day for Sparsholt village. A separate, more frequent service to Sparsholt College on college  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Councillor Learney introduced the report in her capacity as Chair of the Town Accounts Informal Group.  Councillor Learney advised that the report considered the medium-term forward-looking projections prior to the budget setting process assuming annual 3% increase in the town charge.  She highlighted that the night bus budget was no longer required as the number 3 evening buses now have enough passengers to be fully commercial.  The other area of cost-saving was in bus shelter cleaning and maintenance which had been taken on by the county council, with the exception of those connected to the park and ride service.  Consequently, the target level for reserve balances could now be met. However, she highlighted some significant future cost increases expected including increasing costs for public conveniences, the renewal of the grounds maintenance contract and other uncertainties relating to the impact of local government reorganisation (LGR) and the community governance review (CGR).

The forum proceeded to ask questions and comment on the following matters which were responded to by Councillor Learney.

a)    Whether opportunities should be taken to spend some of the substantial reserves in the town account?

b)    If there was an opportunity to use funds to unlock other sources of money such as from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds, for example by commissioning work that could then be used in a bid for significant capital investment to address issues within the town area.

c)    Whether the town account would serve as a useful guide to the financial viability of a potential future town council (dependant on the results of the upcoming CGR).

d)    In relation to the income and expenditure for cemeteries (paragraph 12.18 of the report) had progress been made on reviewing charging for burial services and whether there was a way to reduce the deficit.

RESOLVED:

That the financial projections in Appendix 1 of the report be noted and the budget timetable for 2026/27 be agreed.

Optional: The Chairs of any of the informal groups may briefly update the Forum on any recent developments from their group.

The Forum received individual updates from the Chairpersons of various Town Informal Groups, where available. Each summarised the work that had been carried out by the respective groups over the previous two-month period. 

Councillor Eve - Climate and Open Space Informal Group

Progress updates from the group included:

a)    River Park - the bridge had opened connecting River Park, Devil's Island to the Winnall Moors. 

b)    Funding was approved for an accessible perimeter path for Devil's Island.

c)    The new pavilion was progressing well and he thanked residents for their ideas and input over the years.

d)    Good progress was being made with Allegra's ambition at the Winchester Sports and Leisure Park.

e)    The play park programme was progressing with Chaundler Road play park and looking ahead to the next year and the rolling 5-year programme.

Councillor Tippett-Cooper - Culture Informal Group

Councillor Becker gave a progress update from the group on behalf of Councillor Tippett-Cooper who had left the meeting earlier, including:

a)    Noting the update regarding the Buttercross and Hyde Gate provided under the public participation section of the meeting above.

b)    An archaeologists report had been commissioned on the wall at the rear of Hyde Gate which had collapsed a number of years ago.  The report would feed into application to rebuild the wall which was a listed structure.

c)    Work had taken place to remove instances of graffiti on Wolvesey Castle.

d)    Longer term repairs to Kings Gate were also being considered.

Councillor Aron - Grants and Community Empowerment Informal Group

Progress updates from the group included:

a)    Welcomed the predicted budget forecast and the consequential possible review of the level of community grants funds.

b)    The Group would be meeting on 29 September to consider policy and grant applications with the aim to increase the diversity of groups making applications. 

c)    She asked that councillors remind organisations, particularly smaller groups, of the availability of these grants.

Councillor Batho - Community Governance Review (CGR) Informal Group

Councillor Becker first gave an update from the CGR Task and Finish Group which had been appointed by the Licensing and Regulation Committee on 16 June 2025.

a)    The cross-party working group had met twice and was close to agreeing the draft CWR terms of reference (TOR) and the consultation plan for that review. The TOR would be considered by Licensing and Regulation Committee on 29 September and it was anticipated that the first stage of consultation would launch in October. 

b)    The consultation was likely to include letter drops, a social media campaign and drop in events at various locations both within the town and those areas adjacent to the town that could also be affected by CGR review. She requested suggestions from councillors for potential venues for these drop-in events. 

Councillor Batho also gave an update from the Town Forum appointed CGR Informal Group, including the following:

a)    The group would be investigating other local councils or town councils that had already undertaken the CGR process.

b)    Investigations  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To note the current version of the Work Programme for 2025/26.

RESOLVED:

                                                                                                                                                                                      That the work programme for the remainder of 2025/26 be noted.