Agenda and draft minutes

To record the names of apologies given and deputy members who are attending the meeting in place of appointed Members (where appropriate).

There were no apologies received.

To receive any disclosure of interests from Members 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.

Councillor Porter declared an interest as a county councillor regarding items where the County Council's role was vital but stated that she did not have a financial or prejudicial interest. Councillor Tod made a similar statement.

Councillor Cramoysan announced that a report on the Community Governance Review (CGR) process would be considered at the Licensing and Regulation Committee on 17 March 2026.   A briefing for relevant parish councils had been scheduled for 3 March.

Councillor Cramoysan also stated that the County Council (HCC) had confirmed that they would not be able to send officers to attend future meetings of the Forum but would provide a written response to questions on request.

RESOLVED:

          That the minutes of the previous meeting held 3 November 2025 be agreed as a correct record.

Mike Slinn from Kings Barton Residents Association (KBRA) addressed the meeting and referred to comments outlined in the KBRA report that had been circulated to Forum members.  He raised the following points:

a)    A question was asked regarding the timeline for the CGR and the request for a standalone Kings Barton Parish Council.

b)    A request to CALA that the meters for the Electric Charging Points be replaced with ones that supported late night charging at reduced rates.

c)    Further clarification was sought on the opening of the Park and Ride site.

d)    When improvements would be made at the Andover Road/Winchester Avenue signalised junction.

e)    With regard to the LCWIP, what measures were proposed by HCC and WCC to encourage safe walking and cycling for Kings Barton residents?

f)      Requested an update on the status of the TROs regarding the Andover Road closure.

g)    A request was made for a safety audit report for the entire length of Winchester Avenue.

h)    A request that CALA and HCC provide bus stop signs and shelters now that the route change had been agreed.

i)      To note that the KBRA Summer Fete would take place on Sunday 14 June.

Councillor Cramoysan referred Mr Slinn to the update on CGR provided in his announcements earlier in the meeting.  A number of the other points would be picked up by CALA or by the update from HCC under the relevant sections of the agenda below. 

In relation to point e), Mr Slinn clarified that his points related to the section of Andover road between the southern junction with Winchester Avenue and the city centre.   An update was provided by Councillor Tod regarding study work on this section, with a commitment to follow up on pedestrian and cycle improvements.

The Forum noted that an update from HWPC Kings Barton Committee had been circulated to Forum members.   Councillor Watters drew attention to the following points:

a)    HWPC had been working closely with CALA to finalise the design of the  community building.

b)    An update was provided on the Kings Barton bus service, which now commenced at 6:15 am to align with London train times.

c)    It was understood that land at Winterbourne Meadows had been laid out for specification and HWPC were ready for that to go into one years’ maintenance.

d)    Further clarification was requested regarding the 2B South playground and the provision of equipment suitable for teenage girls as suggested by the “Make Space for Girls” campaign.

e)    In relation to the Sports Pitch pavilion, CALA had indicated that it was possible that the sports pitch pavilion and the outside gym equipment could be transferred to the HWPC prior to the sports pitches becoming usable. 

f)      A concern was raised regarding the durability of the current litter bin design.

g)    HWPC were keen that the small pieces of land in future phases will be transferred to HWPC and not to Anthem and were pleased that this was being explored by CALA. 

Councillor Cramoysan congratulated Councillor Watters and the HWPC Kings Barton Committee for their work.  The various queries could be picked up by CALA later in the meeting.

·       Occupation numbers (update) 

·       Status on Cala planning application currently sitting with WCC

Ruth Beard provided an update on the Section 106 obligations table highlighting that a report had been published prior to the meeting and available on the council’s website here.   

a)    An update on occupation numbers was provided, noting that 753 properties were registered for council tax, with 749 of those occupied.

b)    Two HCC Section 106 obligations had been triggered since the last meeting, namely a review of the second car club space and a secondary education contribution payment.  In relation to the second car club vehicle, it was noted that the requirement remained under review by HCC.  Members requested that HCC provide a written update on this to the next meeting.

c)    An update was provided on current planning applications, including the community phase application and Phase 3B reserved matters noting that representatives from CALA could provide a more detailed update later in the meeting.

a)             Winchester Avenue - 

i)        Remedial works on the “open” sections

ii)      Work on Northern Junction

iii)     Work on Southern Junction 

·       Traffic light crossing and junction optimisation

·       Strategic work – Stoney Lane link

b)             Community Building

c)             Public amenities (play parks, walks and other areas) to HWPC

d)             Car Park Delivery

e)             Community Travel Support

i)        Kings Barton bus service  – new route service enablement (e.g. bus stops, crossings)

ii)      Community Car Club

f)               Updates on the following

i)        Recreation Ground/Sports Pitches/ Pavilion 

ii)      MUGA (full sized)   

iii)     Neighbourhood centre - shops and pub

iv)     Barton Meadows

Allison Thompson, Rupert Woodcock and Lance Else were present from CALA and gave a presentation and update on the following matters:

a)    A drone flyover video was shown to demonstrate the progress of the development.  The footage showed Winchester Avenue, the school, sports pitches, and the park and ride site and it was noted that Wellhouse Lane would join Winchester Avenue

b)    An update was provided on the community centre, noting that ramp access was added to the design and CALA had worked closely with HWPC to address their requests in relation to the internal building space as far as possible.   As soon as planning permission, including the deed of variation, was obtained CALA would start as soon as possible on the site to deliver the community building.

c)    The Park and Ride trigger had been amended to 1,000 occupations to align with the opening of Winchester Avenue, anticipated to be in late 2027. 

Councillor Learney clarified that WCC would operate the park and ride as a “park and ride light” where there was not a dedicated bus service but instead it used the ordinary bus services that run past the site.  A question was asked about the timetable of the Number 75 bus service if this was going to run past the park and ride site.

An update was provided on the construction programme and sequencing. Key milestones included:

d)    Works were progressing through sections 1A, 2A, 1B, and 2B.

e)    The northern section was scheduled to start in January 2027.

f)      The final road course from Manley Road to the southern end was expected to be finished by July 2026.

g)    It was confirmed that a safety audit was required six months prior to the new Winchester Avenue opening, anticipated in early 2027.  CALA confirmed that they would be commissioning the overall stage two safety audit for the entire spine road imminently and expected to have that by the end of March.  This would then be submitted to HCC.

h)    Further clarification was provided on the southern junction MOVA traffic signal works, which were scheduled to start on 13 March and conclude by the end of April.  In response to questions, CALA agreed to confirm that this would include light control on the Winchester Avenue pedestrian crossing.

Councillor Cramoysan requested that a copy of the presentation slide showing the various road construction timelines for the site be supplied for publication with the minutes of the meeting.  CALA agreed to this request.

An update was provided on sports facilities and public amenities:

i)      The sports pavilion and pitches were on a programme for handover in summer 2027.

j)      A full-size multi-use games area (MUGA) was to be delivered in phase 4A.

k)    Phase 1B play area had been handed over, while phase 1A was due for imminent handover.

l)      Offers had been received for the nursery building, and a supermarket contract was expected by the summer.

m)  It was noted that there was currently little interest in the pub  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Councillor Porter provided an update on behalf of HCC regarding several outstanding queries.  The list of questions asked and responses provided is appended to these minutes.

Further clarification was sought on the status of the TRO process, and it was noted that consultation responses were still being reviewed with no formal decision date set.

In addition, members requested further information regarding the base monitoring of the roads in the surrounding areas to ascertain the impact of the closure of the Andover Road.  It was suggested that this be queried with HCC again prior to the next Forum meeting.

Next meeting scheduled for Thursday 9 July 2026 at 6pm

It was noted that the next meeting was scheduled for Thursday 9 July 2026 at 6.00pm.