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).

As noted above, apologies were received from Councillor Eve for whom Councillor Rutter was deputising.

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.

Councillors Batho and Porter declared that they were county councillors but members of the Forum as city councillors.

Councillor Tod declared that he was a member of the Forum as a county councillor but was also a city councillor.

RESOLVED:

          That Councillor Morris be appointed as vice-chairperson of the Forum for the 2026/27 municipal year.

Councillor Cramoysan provided an update regarding the Community Governance Review (CGR). It was noted that the stage two consultation closed on 24 June 2026 and the council’s consultants were currently analysing results.  A report which would be submitted to the Licensing and Regulation Committee on 6 August 2026 to consider recommendations, with a final decision to be taken by Council on 20 August 2026.  A briefing for councillors (including relevant parish councillors) would take place before these formal meetings. If approved, any new parish councils would come into existence in April 2027, with first elections in May 2027.

Councillor Cramoysan drew attention to the following points arising from the minutes which he would request are addressed later in the meeting:

a)    Electric Vehicle charging points (CALA to advise)

b)    Update on the study work on the southern junction of Winchester Avenue and the city centre.

c)    Southern junction to include light control (CALA to confirm)

RESOLVED:

          That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 2 March 2026 be agreed as a correct record.

Chris Poulter (Chair of the Abbots Barton Community Group) addressed the meeting and raised the following points:

a)    A safety issue was reported regarding lockable bollards at Courtney Road where a child was recently injured.  Mr Poulter requested that CALA  acknowledge the incident and set out actions to ensure bollard safety.

b)    An invitation was extended to CALA to participate in a new community forum for Abbots Barton residents.

c)    A request was made for the Kings Barton Forum to consider issues of common interest between Courtney Road and Kings Barton, such as active travel links and Barton Meadows.

In response to the bollard safety issue, CALA stated that a contractor visited the site and a proposal for a more robust, collapsible product was expected within two weeks.  Councillor Cramoysan requested that CALA respond directly to Mr Poulter with updates on this matter.

Further clarification was provided by the Corporate Head of Planning regarding the Courtney Road land allocation (W4). It was noted that:

a)    The allocation for approximately 150 homes was separate from the Kings Barton development and no planning application was currently lodged for the site.

b)    Any future application would be tested against the local plan and statutory regulations.

c)    The Kings Barton Forum had no formal decision-making role or remit regarding the Courtney Road site

Jacqui Shawley (interim chair of Kings Barton Residents’ Association) drew attention to the KBRA report which had been circulated to all Forum Members and CALA representative prior to the meeting.  Councillor Cramoysan advised that the points raised would be addressed under the appropriate agenda items below.

Councillor De Stefano (Headbourne Worthy Parish Council) provided an update from the HWPC Kings Barton Committee.  It was noted that a written update from the committee had been circulated to all Forum Members and CALA representatives prior to the meeting.  Councillors De Stefano highlighted the following points from their report:

a)    Disagreement was expressed regarding the CGR recommendation to exclude Barton Meadows from the proposed Kings Barton Parish boundary.

b)    Concern was raised regarding the reset of the S106 trigger point for the community building from 800 to 950 occupations, which was estimated to cause an eighteen-month delay.

c)    It was reported that the KB1 bus service was performing well, with an average of 800 passengers per month.

d)    Concern was expressed regarding the long-term financial sustainability of the bus service in the absence of a plan for a “park and ride light” service income.

Councillor Cramoysan highlighted that HWPC had submitted comments as part of the CGR consultation previously and their views would form part of the consideration going forward.  The points raised about “park and ride light” service had been addressed by Councillor Learney at the previous meeting and could be considered further if appropriate under the relevant agenda item below.

a)    Occupation numbers (update)

b)    Status on Cala planning application currently sitting with WCC

Ruth Beard (Senior Planning Officer – Kings Barton) provided an update on occupation numbers and planning status:

a)    Occupation numbers reached 786 properties registered for council tax, with 777 of those occupied.

b)    It was confirmed that CALA paid the secondary education contribution of over £5m to Hampshire County Council (HCC).

c)    HCC was satisfied that a second car club vehicle was not required, and the S106 obligation was discharged.

d)    Planning permission was granted on 10 June 2026 for Phase 3B reserved matters (126 units).

e)    Planning permission was granted on 25 June 2026 for new agricultural access off Wellhouse Lane to facilitate junction works.

f)      A decision on the community phase application (including the community building, nursery, and 40 houses) was imminent following queries from Natural England regarding nutrient neutrality.

Further clarification was sought regarding the community building triggers. It was noted that a Deed of Variation required construction to commence prior to 800 occupations, with a backstop for handover at 950 occupations.  CALA confirmed that they would like to start the build of the community centre as soon as possible and there was a realistic 12 month build time.  CALA had also worked proactively with HWPC regarding the design of the centre and had taken a number of their comments on board.

Some councillors expressed disappointment that a second car club vehicle would not be provided.  Councillor Porter agreed to seek further clarification from HCC as to why the S106 had been discharged.

A query was raised about how HCC would allocate the £5m educational contribution and Ruth Beard agreed to check the wording of the S106 agreement on this point.

1)    Winchester Avenue

a)    Remedial works on the “open” sections

b)    Work on Northern junction

c)    Work on Southern junction

i)               Traffic light crossing and junction optimisation

ii)              Strategic work – Stoney Lane link

2)    Community Building – CALA plan

3)    Public amenities (play parks, walks & other areas) to HWPC

4)    Car park delivery – CALA the physical car park

5)    Update on the recreation group/sports pitches/pavilion

6)    Update on the Neighbourhood Centre – shops & pub

7)    Barton Meadows – transfer to HIOWWT

8)    MUGA – full sized

Representatives from CALA gave a presentation on development progress:

a)    A drone video demonstrated progress on Winchester Avenue, phase two construction, and the southern junction.

b)    It was reported that southern junction traffic signal works were completed and operational in June 2026.

c)    Northern junction off-site works were scheduled to commence in January 2027, with completion anticipated by September 2027.

d)    Bus shelters would be installed along Winchester Avenue in late 2027.

e)    It was confirmed that construction of the community building would begin within four weeks of planning permission being granted, with a twelve-month build programme.

f)      Construction of the park and ride was expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027, with opening proposed for late 2027.

g)    It was reported that the sports pavilion and trim trail were scheduled for handover in the first quarter of 2027, with pitches ready in summer 2027.

h)    The transfer of Barton Meadows to Hampshire and IOW Wildlife Trust was underway.

i)      Regarding EV charging, it was noted that CALA was investigating mechanisms with British Gas to allow communal properties to access off-peak tariffs.

j)      A commitment was made to provide a full-size multi-use games area (MUGA) in Phase 4A, subject to technical requirements.

Further discussion took place on the subject of EV charging and the reasons why some dwellings had provision and others did not.  Councillor Porter advised that she had met with HCC and Jacqui Shawley (KBRA) and HCC had committed to report back with further information on what was feasible to achieve.  In the meantime, residents were encourage to complete an EV charging survey via the following link: Electric vehicles | Transport and roads | Hampshire County Council

Councillor Cramoysan thanked CALA for their presentation and requested that a copy be provided for future reference.

Councillor Porter provided an update on several matters:

a)    It was reported that the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process for the Andover Road closure was expected to reach a public stage in September 2026.

b)    Discussion took place regarding the request for a safety audit report for Winchester Avenue. It was noted that road safety audits occurred in stages and were distinct from the TRO process.

c)    It was reported that HCC was working through issues raised during a recent site visit, including public electric vehicle (EV) charging grants.

(AOB not included elsewhere on the agenda)

The following additional points were raised:

a)    A request was made to investigate whether the sports pavilion or the school could serve as a polling station for the May 2027 elections.

b)    A damaged street light under the Wellhouse Lane railway bridge was reported, and CALA agreed to investigate responsibility for its repair.

·       7 October 2026

·       1 March 2027

The dates of future meetings were noted.