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 agenda items that may be related to their role as a County Councillor.

There were no announcements.

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

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 28 January 2021 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 11 March 2021 via democracy@winchester.gov.uk or (01962) 848 264 to register to speak and for further details.

Two members of the public and a Winchester City Council (WCC) councillor addressed the forum.

Mr James Batho spoke regarding the campaign for “Safer Travel for Winchester”. He advised that he had recently restarted the Winchester and District SpeedWatch group and was campaigning to reduce vehicle speeds and to provide a safe crossing on the Andover Road. Mr Batho provided the forum with details of several 20mph speed limit schemes across the UK and believed that a default speed limit of 20mph would help to improve the lives of residents. He encouraged the forum to support its adoption and several members spoke following Mr Batho's presentation.

Emma Back, on behalf of the Winchester Sport, Art and Leisure Trust addressed the forum regarding the play area improvement plan and specifically the inclusion of Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs). Emma Back suggested three MUGA schemes that she would like to see included in a future play area improvement plan:

• Refreshing the MUGA at Highcliffe as part of King George V (KGV) park plan.
• Replacing the MUGA at River Park as part of the North Walls park plan
• Adding a MUGA to either Dean Lane Park or St Matthews Fields, Weake.

Finally, she also felt many smaller gyms, sports clubs and sports charities may require additional support from the forum or the city council as a consequence of the operating model of the new sports centre.

Mr Botham informed that the play area improvement plan would be an agenda item at a future meeting of the forum and that the accompanying report would enable a discussion to be held concerning MUGA’s.

Councillor Bell addressed the forum and wished to discuss the future use of North Walls Park and the River Park leisure centre. She was aware that several possible future uses had been suggested and wished to contribute to that debate. Mr Botham advised that a formal consultation would be undertaken in the new municipal year which would be open to all councillors, residents and interested parties. Following this consultation, it was envisaged a report would be brought to the town forum.

To receive a presentation from Mr Sapwell, Hampshire Cultural Trust.

(slides to follow)

Mr Sapwell, Chief Executive Officer, Hampshire Cultural Trust provided the forum with a presentation regarding the work of the Trust. In particular, he updated members on the current structure and organisation, the highlights of the previous year, the Trusts work and achievements in Winchester, the Trusts response to Covid-19 and its future plans.

Members asked several questions concerning cultural engagement and encouragement with young people, cultural collaboration and achieving a joined-up online journey which were responded to by Mr Sapwell accordingly. The Chairperson thanked Mr Sapwell for his presentation.

To receive a presentation from Officers at Hampshire County Council.

(slides to follow)

Mr Wren and Mr Riley from Hampshire County Council provided the forum with a presentation that had previously been circulated to members regarding a pilot electric vehicle chargepoint scheme in Winchester. Members were provided with an overview of the pilot scheme, details of the pilot scheme area, details of the chargepoint design and the project delivery and communications.

Members asked several questions concerning the number of electric vehicles in the trial area, the timescale for the trial period, cable protectors across pavements and the communication of guidance for householder cable protectors. These points were responded to by Mr Wren and Mr Riley accordingly. The Chairperson thanked them both for their presentation.

To receive a presentation from Officers, Winchester City Council.

(slides to follow)

Mr Ingram, Service Lead - Public Protection provided the forum with a presentation that had previously been circulated to members regarding the Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). Members were provided with an overview of the background of the SPD, air quality results since 1997, the air quality action plan and the associated assessment methodology. Mr Ingram confirmed that the consultation was currently live and encouraged all members to both contribute and ask others to do so. Members asked several questions concerning; the setting of the specific standards, the use of the planning system to encourage walking/cycling, the number and use of similar SPDs nationally and how the SPD would apply to both smaller and larger developments. These questions were responded to by officers accordingly.

The Chairperson thanked the officers for the presentation.

To receive an update from Officers, Winchester City Council.

Mr Botham, Strategic Director- Services updated the forum regarding the North Walls Pavilion project. He informed that several actions had been taken since the previous meeting of the forum. The project board had been established and had reviewed various options and that revised tender prices had been requested. Whilst it was believed that a revised planning approval would be required the key features of the original plan remained consistent. Mr Botham advised that a further update would be provided at the next meeting of the forum in June 2021.

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

Councillor Weir – Grants Informal Group.

Updated the forum regarding the small grants programme which had awarded nineteen grants with one award pending. The total of grants awarded was approximately £10,000.

Councillor Weir – KGV Informal Group.

Advised that work was continuing on the existing plans for the Pavilion and surrounding sports areas. The consultation had now closed and she anticipated a report coming back to a future meeting of the forum.

Councillor Hutchison – High Street Group.

Updated the forum on the progress of several items relating to the High Street, including; the planters, signage for shops just off the high street, feature lighting and St Maurice’s Covert.

Councillor Hutchison – Planning Group.

Informed that the group was continuing to work with officers regarding the implementation of the earlier vision work and with responding to the local plan consultation.

To note the current version of the Work Programme for 2020/21

RESOLVED:

The work programme was noted.