Agenda and minutes

To record the names of apologies given

Apologies for the meeting were noted as above.

To receive any disclosure of interests from Members and Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note: Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and/or prejudicial interests in accordance with legislation and the Council’s Code of Conduct.

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

Councillors Hiscock and Tod each declared a non-pecuniary interest concerning items upon the agenda that may be related to their role as a County Councillor.

The chairperson made the following announcements:

She wished to send her best wishes for a speedy recovery to all of those involved in the recent bus accident at Wellhouse Lane, Kings Worthy.

That following the recent resignation of Councillor Gottlieb a vacancy now existed for the vice-chairperson of the town forum. Nominations for the position were requested and Councillor Murphy was proposed and seconded.

RESOLVED:

That councillor Murphy be elected vice-chairperson for the remainder of the 2020/21 municipal year.

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

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 17 June 2020 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 Town Forum, provided they have registered to speak three working days in advance. Please contact Democratic Services by 5pm on Monday 14^th September via democracy@winchester.gov.uk or (01962) 848 264 to register to speak and for further details.

Mr Patrick Davies addressed the forum regarding items 6 and 7 of the agenda – “Proposed planning reforms” and “Vision for Winchester” project

Mr Davies made a number of points including whether officers had determined which areas of the town would be classified as a “renewal” or “protected” zone as defined within the government's white paper? Mr Davies further asked whether the existing evidence base produced as part of the local plan development would be revisited?

Regarding the “Vision for Winchester” project, Mr Davies commented that whilst he had had two helpful discussions with the consultants, he remained concerned over how this project would fit within the statutory planning framework and system. He particularly mentioned the formation of the panels and how the City of Winchester Trust, which he was a member of, would become involved.

The Corporate Head of Regulatory responded that whilst it would be too early to speculate on the specific zoned areas, he would refer to the issues raised more generally as part of his presentation at this meeting. Concerning the “Vision for Winchester" project, he considered that this project would fit well with the new style of local plan particularly regarding community engagement. He also advised that it was important for a range of groups to be involved in the panels and those that weren't would have several opportunities to be involved in the project.

Emma Back, Chief Executive, Winchester Sport, Art and Leisure Trust (S.A.L.T) addressed the forum. In summary, she raised concerns regarding the proposed planning reforms and their implications for publicly accessible open space. She felt that this had been utilised to a much greater extent recently as residents looked for ways to meet with each other in a socially distanced way. From her review of the government’s consultation document, she was concerned that current open spaces within Winchester may be threatened by development and asked the forum whether these spaces needed greater protection?

Finally, she wished to raise the issue of play and exercise areas for older children and adults. She suggested that the forum consider these at its next meeting when it considered a report regarding play areas.

The Corporate Head of Regulatory responded by acknowledging the points made. Whilst he couldn't speculate on the final document, he didn't feel that the consultation document expected that these much-needed areas of open space would be released for development.

Regarding play areas for older children, the chairperson informed that the “Vision for Winchester” project had a specific workstream regarding activities for teenage girls.

Both members of the public were thanked for their contribution.

(presentation to be made at the meeting and slides to be available before the meeting)

The Corporate Head of Regulatory and the Strategic Planning Manager provided the forum with a presentation entitled "Proposed Reforms to the Planning System" which had been circulated to members before the meeting and was available on the council's website. The presentation updated the forum regarding two government consultation documents proposing fundamental changes to the planning system. The forum was advised that the presentation had also been shown at an all-member briefing and at the Local Plan Advisory Group earlier that week. Members asked several questions and comments were raised which were responded to by officers accordingly.

RESOLVED:

That the presentation be received and noted.

(presentation to be made at the meeting and slides to be available before the meeting)

Richard Summers, from Boyle & Summers and Richard Eastman from Feria Urbanism, provided the forum with a presentation entitled "Winchester Vision 2030" which had been circulated to members before the meeting and was available on the council's website.

The presentation updated the forum on the project team’s research findings, the timeline to project completion and the generation of its final outputs. The forum was advised that a further update would be provided at its meeting on the 11^th November 2020. Members asked several questions and comments were raised which were responded to by the consultants and officers accordingly.

RESOLVED:

That the presentation be received and noted.

(report ref: WTF289)

The Finance Manager (Strategic Finance) introduced the report which updated members regarding the current financial position of the “Winchester Town Account” and financial projections over the medium and long term. The Finance Manager (Strategic Finance) explained that this was the first paper moving into the budget setting and options process and this had followed an initial meeting of the “Town Accounts Informal Group”. Further reports would be brought to the forum at its meetings in November 2020 and January 2021. Members asked questions and raised comments which were addressed by officers accordingly.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Winchester town forum notes the financial projections in Appendix A and agrees to the budget timetable for 2021/22.

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

The following updates were provided:

1.    Councillor Hutchison concerning the high street group

2.    Councillor Becker concerning the governance group

3.    Councillor Hiscock concerning the North Walls group

4.    Councillor Weir concerning the KGV group

5.    Councillor Weir concerning the accounts (grants) group. Councillor Weir sought the agreement of the forum regarding an amendment to their crowdfunding scheme. Whilst the overall sum of monies available would remain as previously agreed she proposed to increase the amount a single organisation could apply for from £2,000 to £3,000. This was agreed by the forum

It was agreed to include an item for the November 2020 meeting of the forum regarding the Vision for Winchester project.

RESOLVED:

The current version of the work plan was noted