Agenda and minutes

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.

No declarations were made at the meeting.

Arising from the minutes of the previous meeting, several points were raised as follows:

·         Matters arising from the minutes and any other business - Councillor Crichton made reference to the above agenda items which he considered should be added as standard agenda items onto future agendas of the forum. In respect of matters arising from the minutes, it was noted that any points arising from the minutes could be raised at the ‘minutes’ item, ahead of the approval of the minutes at future meetings. 

·         Open space adoption of Wellington Park (Havant) - Councillor Crichton reported that this was an ongoing issue. Hopefully adoption would take place before the next meeting so further progress could be reported.

·         Policing of the development – Councillor Crichton reported that he had received a call from the Police Crime Commissioner (Winchester area) to clarify that non-urgent incidents would still be attended by officers at either Havant and Winchester but emergencies would be dealt with on a county wide basis. 

RESOLVED:

                        That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 2 November         2021, be approved and adopted.

To receive and note questions asked and statements made from members of the public on general matters of interest and/or matters relating to the work of the Forum. This period is for a maximum of 10 minutes.

NB members of the public are required to register with Democratic Services three clear working days before the meeting (see below for further details).

No members of the public were present to make representations.

The Service Lead: Communities and Wellbeing introduced the report which set out the progress made on the West of Waterlooville public art programme and the plan for future delivery of the programme across the major development area during the remainder to the development period.

Councillor Cutler advised the forum that having chaired the arts panel since 2019, he had raised concerns regarding the governance and escalating costs with no democratic control of the money, it was therefore considered by the arts panel that monies should be managed in house and that the boating lake project be reassessed.

The Service Lead: Communities and Wellbeing set out the current position of the programme, the need to progress following delays during the pandemic and the background surrounding the management of the programme which required ongoing discussion with Grainger and key stakeholders to consider resourcing and agree an approach for the delivery of the programme.

An update on the Gateway installation project was received and it was recognised that there was a need to review the cost implications for the delivery of other projects such as the boating lake, ensuring that the parish council were involved in discussions going forward. 

The forum asked various questions regarding the remaining arts programme, particularly matters surrounding the boating lake and the s106 agreement contributions which were responded to by officers. In response to questions, it was noted that formal numbers of s106 contributions would be provided in due course.

In conclusion, the forum requested that a meeting of the arts panel be arranged at the earliest opportunity in order to review and deliver the arts programme in a timely manner.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the report be received and noted; and

2.            That a meeting of the arts panel be arranged at the earliest opportunity, as set out above.

Members of the Forum received an update from the Service Lead; Communities and Wellbeing, on behalf of Grainger plc, regarding the latest community work that had been carried out and reference was made to the following points:

Physical Development

Planning applications awaiting approval were as follows:

·         Sports Pavilion and Town Park Phase 2

·         Footpath diversions

In response to questions regarding forthcoming planning applications, the Principal Planning Officer reported some difficulties regarding the public rights of way and in obtaining additional information regarding contaminated land which were currently delaying the planning application process for the sports pavilion and town park phase 2.

·         Larkfields (Phase3b) and Woodlands Edge (Phase 5a) sold to Bloor Homes and expected on site in Summer 2022.

·         Kentidge Coppice (Phase 9c) and Daubenton Glen (Phase 11a) currently for sale. Further land sales anticipated at the end of the year.

·         Second Primary School – application from Hampshire County Council submitted. Opening anticipated for September 2025.

·         Health Centre – site agreed. Developer finalising/securing funding through the NHS. An accessibility consultant was creating a strategy document for the site, assisting with signage and maps.

·         Awaiting an update from Havant Borough Council re: cemetery land but proceeding as if it would still be a cemetery.

·         Proxima Park –next unit building ongoing

·         Planning granted for Grainger office/Community Centre signage with new branding and for knee-rail fencing along Pearmain Place to protect landscaping from vehicles.

·         Local centre design to be reconsidered, next area on the agenda. Community centre to be delivered by 2025.

·         Northern allotments - Design being created by Newlands Parish Council. Delivery anticipated for 2023.

Community Development

·         Employment and skills – partnered with Oaklands and Cowplain schools to support careers. Job centre site visits being arranged.

·         Portsmouth Bee Keeping Society moved into a compound on site until Southern Allotments area ready. More hives were moving into the compound this month.

·         Survey undertaken on Proxima Pond. Non-native carp were present and the next stage was draining and landscaping. There was potential to reintroduce native species of fish.  Due to a lack of contractors, this work would take place in 2023.

·         Work was taking place with Proxima Park on green space improvement, including a swift tower.

·         Partnering with Wildlife Trust on community rewilding projects – Berewood Primary School looking at re-wild part of their site next year.

·         Berewood Motor Club had been set up by residents, meeting on the third Sunday of every month.

·         Berewood Gardening Club had been set up by residents, currently via Facebook only.

·         Royal Mail have installed a post box on the corner of Rowe Rise/Newlands Avenue.

·         Wider area newsletter to be distributed to Wellington Park and Purbrook to keep residents updated on site progress.

·         Donated PPE to local Berewood after school club.

·         Community Plan - steering group has been formed with terms of reference created and official roles allocated. Next meeting to take place Wednesday, 9 March 2022.

Upcoming Events

·         Easter: Football sessions run by Winchester City Council in Town Park

·         Summer: Berewood in Bloom – gardening prizes and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.