Agenda and minutes

To record the names of apologies given

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ferguson, Radcliffe, Scott and Tod.

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.

No disclosures of interest were made at the meeting.

In response to the Chairperson’s request for an update on the latest position in relation to Ukrainian refugees, the forum were advised that the role of local authorities was currently uncertain. Meetings were taking place between the housing and community teams to discuss the approach and the next stages of support to avoid duplication of work and offers of help from the public were being recorded.

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

During discussion of the minutes, the forum thanked officers for the informative breakdown of the location of CIL contributions across the town area. 

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 January 2022 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, 11 March 2022 via democracy@winchester.gov.uk or (01962) 848 264 to register to speak and for further details.

Ian Tait spoke during public participation, as summarised briefly below:

Mr Tait made reference to the problems arising at Hyde Gate from pigeons.   He drew attention to the fact that surfaces of 43 High Street were now covered with pigeon prongs following its refurbishment, However, pigeon mess remained an issue in The Square and in Hammonds Passage. In addition, he reported on various other public realm matters in the High Street that required investigation, specifically bins being left by Cote Brasserie and the tarmac area of pavement outside Tesco.

Following Mr Tait’s deputation, it was agreed that these matters would be reviewed and Councillor Tippett-Cooper provided a response to the points raised on behalf of the Town Forum’s Heritage Informal Group. He explained that resources were now in place which would enable various actions to be pursued to address many of the issues affecting the condition of historic assets owned by the council, including Hyde Gate.

The Chairperson welcomed Stuart Mills from WinACC to the meeting.  Mr Mills gave a presentation regarding the pro-energy retrofit project ‘Winchester Area SuperHomes’.  In summary, his presentation set out details for the adaptation of existing buildings to achieve lower energy consumption and changed energy sources to reduce carbon footprints.  This could be achieved in a number of ways such as improved insulation and changing how domestic premises are heated (i.e. replacing gas boilers with more sustainable options). 

The scheme would contribute towards reducing the carbon footprint of properties throughout the district and he advised that WinACC had partnered with a national charity, National Energy Foundation, to help with delivery. This was a not for profit project, with the aim of setting up 25 SuperHome show homes and the objective  of supporting a further 125 homes which would be assessed to start the retrofit process. It used penalties paid by energy companies over the years to promote energy sustainability and would provide the opportunity to reach out to more homeowners to offer simple energy saving measures.   Advice can be given from trained retrofit co-ordinators to show how reduced carbon emissions and improvements to heating costs and efficiency in their homes can be achieved.

Mr Mills welcomed the council’s support to promote the project. Members’ questions were answered thereon.

In conclusion, the Chairperson thanked Mr Mills for his informative presentation and agreed to raise awareness and continue to share information on the project going forward.

            RESOLVED:

                        That the presentation be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Asset Management introduced the report which formed the final business case for the development of the KGV Pavilion.   It was reported that Cabinet had agreed to make available capital receipts and make a bid for district CIL funding in order to close the funding gap due to rising building costs. In addition, the council would establish an advisory group to manage the pavilion and its use which would include sports organisations, as well councillor and community representation. It was recognised that the Town Forum would be responsible for the running and maintenance costs of the new pavilion. However, it was anticipated that the net positon would improve once the pavilion was in full operation.

Members asked a range of questions which were responded to by the Cabinet Member and the Corporate Head of Economy and Communities in relation to income generation, community involvement with the management group and weekday use of the pavilion.  

RESOLVED:

1.            That the proposals for the new KGV pavilion be supported, noting the additional £21,000 annual net costs that would need to be met from the Town Account with effect from 2023/24; and

2.            That an allocation of £250,000 from the Winchester Town Forum Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy to support the project, be approved. 

The Corporate Head for Economy and Communities introduced the report highlighting that it had been a year since the forum adopted the Winchester Town Vision 2020-2030.  An update was provided on the progress made on projects across the council which align with the themes of the vision involving residents, community groups and local organisations over that period. The report also set out funding resources and recruitment proposals.

In conclusion, it was suggested that a Winchester Town Forum (Town Vision) Informal Group be established to oversee the continuing implementation and rollout of the vision and its aims and objectives.

Members asked a range of comments and questions which were responded to by the Corporate Head of Regulatory and Corporate Head of Economy and Communities in relation to the inclusion of policy workshops, incorporating the city of sanctuary concept, project management support, crowd funding and protocol for additional CIL allocation for projects.   

            RESOLVED:

1.            That the report be received and the comments of the forum be noted; and

2.            That an Informal Group be established to oversee the continued implementation of the vision, including identifying means to fund and resource further work that will better empower communities to take action.

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. Each summarised the work that had been carried out by the respective groups over the previous two month period. 

Councillor Craske – Town Planning Group

Updated the forum on the progress of the group and its discussions with the planning team and the City of Winchester Trust. In summary, he stated that the group recognised the importance of the draft Regulation 18 Plan which will lead on to the   delivery of a robust new local plan.  This will need take into account   spatial elements for the town, development of design codes etc for areas across the city.   There has been discussion around how this further work might be resourced including whether possible benefactors could contribute. .

Councillor Edwards – City Centre Group.

Following the recent success of the light festival, it was noted than an informal meeting was attended hosted by Hampshire County Council to consider the lighting of the public spaces and cultural assets across the city centre to begin initial work on the scoping of a potential project which may attract multi agency support.

St Maurice’s Covert outstanding physical works regarding lighting and the ceiling  were on schedule to be completed by 8 April and the art commission for the mural was also underway. 

Councillor Tippett-Cooper) – Heritage Group

Updated the forum that a budget was now in place from the heritage asset fund to begin important heritage works. Hyde Gate pigeon proofing was complete as part of phase one and phase two involving restoration/structural works on the gate was going ahead. A specialist contractor had been appointed to carry out heritage stonework to Hyde Gate and the Buttercross. Phase three was public realm improvements to look at how Hyde Gate could be brought back as a ‘heritage gem’. Key heritage groups were meeting shortly and further details of this would be provided in due course. A team had been appointed to carry out the waxing of King Alfred which would commence soon. A two month pilot trial had been proposed to tackle anti-social behaviour including graffiti at the River Park site.

            RESOLVED:

                        That the updates received from the Town Informal Groups, be          noted.

To note the Work Programme for 2021/22.

RESOLVED:

                        That the 2021/22 work programme be noted

The meeting commenced at 6.30 pm and concluded at 8 pm

Chairperson