Agenda and minutes

The meeting was held virtually and the Chairperson welcomed representatives to the first meeting of the new municipal year.

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.

There were no disclosures of interests declared.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Wade be appointed Vice Chairperson of the Forum for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

Meetings of the Forum will be held on:

Tuesday 2 November 2021

Tuesday 8 March 2022

RESOLVED:

That future meetings of the Forum take place virtually at 6pm on the dates as set out on the agenda.

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

·         Stakes Hill roadworks - In response to questions, Jenni Upstill (Grainger) advised that in line with the Section 106 agreement, works were due to take place. However, following discussion with Hampshire County Council, a decision had been taken to defer the commencement of these works, with dialogue on this matter ongoing.

·         Open Space agreement at Wellington Park – Councillors Hughes (in his capacity as Havant Borough Councillor) advised that he would make enquiries and ask for a response on this matter to be circulated to the Forum in due course.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 9 March 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 – Built Environment introduced the item and drew Member’s attention to report CAB3306 that was considered by Cabinet at their meeting on 23 June 2021, which set out a revised single terms of reference for the three major development areas to ensure a consistent approach for the operation of each fora in the future, transitioning from planning led to community led over time.

The Forum raised various points in respect of membership and voting in relation to the newly revised terms of reference, as set out on pages 19-21 of the agenda pack, which were responded to by relevant officers.

            RESOLVED:

                        That the revised terms of reference for the Forum, be noted.

Grainger

Grainger development update – Jenni Upstill (Grainger) provided an update on the physical development of the site and made reference to the following points:

-           Berewood Community Nature Reserve - planning application approved

-           Planning applications awaiting approval:

-       Sports Pavilion and Town Park Phase 2

-           Next phase sales of Larkfields (Phase 3B) and Woodlands Edge (Phase 5A) ongoing with house builders expected on site in Autumn/Winter 2021.

-           Second Primary School – Application from HCC expected imminently. Due to open in September 2024.

-           Health Centre – currently no update available

-           Northern allotments (Deed of Variations submitted) - expected 2023.

-           Final works on River Wallington almost completed.

-           Elm Green (Phase 9) play area expected to finish this month – including accessible play equipment.

-           Accessibility consultant employed to review design codes and the site going forward.

-           Discussion with Havant Borough Council ongoing regarding use of cemetery land (unsuitable for use as a cemetery due to high water levels).

-           SUDs – Full review of flora & fauna to take place, possible green space improvements e.g. Berewood Green (Phase 3)

Arising out of questions from members of the Forum, the following issues were discussed:

Timescales for Primary School – This was expected to open in September 2024 with works on site due to commence in 2022.

Joint West of Waterlooville MDA Planning Committee – The Service Lead: Built Environment clarified that members for this committee had been appointed by both Winchester and Havant, with planning applications due to come forward for consideration at this committee, in consultation with the Chair. In addition, planning officers agreed to discuss the scheme of delegation on this matter in due course.

Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping Works – Jenni Upstill advised the Forum that concerns from residents provided to the Parish Council would need to be forwarded directly to Grainger so they could be addressed by the relevant team.

Councillor Crichton reported that the clerk was in contact with the Police and Crime Commission regarding issues surrounding the policing of the development and the consideration of an adjustment to the boundaries. Councillor Hughes suggested that Councillor Crichton liaise with Councillor Narinder Bains (Havant Borough Council) and Councillor Jan Warwick (Winchester City Council), both of whom are representatives on the Police and Crime Panel on this matter.

Taylor Wimpey

No representatives from Taylor Wimpey were present at the meeting to provide an update. However, following his discussions with Taylor Wimpey, Councillor Crichton reported that the Section 104 agreement with Southern Water was ready for signing and that the road from the traffic lights down to the Tamworth Road Bridge and the recycling centre was scheduled to be ready for adoption within three months.

RESOLVED:

That the verbal report be noted.

The Service Lead - Communities and Wellbeing provided a summary on behalf of the Community Officer for Havant Borough Council which set out the key work that had been carried out in respect of community development activities, as follows:

-           Litter picking events organised in partnership with Wellington Vale Care Home as part of the Great British Spring Clean. More events proposed for the summer at the request of residents. Currently sourcing funding for litter picking equipment specifically for the development for residents to use as and when they want in the future.

-           Competitions organised such as an Easter Trail as well as partnering with local business ‘Giorgio’s’ for a children’s drawing competition. 

-           Organised skateboarding and scooter workshops across two dates. The sessions were extremely popular with over 80 children attending. Football sessions were also organised for the same location to increase footfall. This provided a key opportunity for residents to engage with the Community Plan, as well seeking members for the steering group. 

-           Continuation of Community Plan project consisting of a subsequent meeting to once more promote the plan and gauge interest. From the meeting a leaflet was being produced to promote the plan. This would be distributed to residents outside the school and at other events in the future.   

-           Newlands Community Newsletters had been produced and delivered to every household. 

Jenni Upstill provided an update from Grainger regarding recent community development work that had been undertaken as follows:

-           Travel and Community survey being sent out to residents this month – online initially

-           One-to-one resident meetings had taken place

-           Private Rental Sector Team (Grainger rentals) holding resident surgeries shortly covering Berewood as a whole

-           August consultation activities in the green open spaces

-           Great Big Green Week in September – activities, wildflower seeds for residents and partnering with Havant Climate Alliance

-           Community planters in the southern end of the site which were going well with potential for some in other areas depending on resident demand

-           Employment and skills work being carried out with Havant team; working with the job centre, local schools, LEP, house builders on site

-           Portsmouth Bee Keeping Society moving into a compound on site until a dedicated site at the southern allotments were ready to relocate to.

-           Neighbourhood Watch groups had been set up covering both the northern and southern phases of the site

On behalf of Newlands Parish Council, Councillor Crichton reported that work was being carried out by the community officers with the support of the Parish Council and resident’s involvement was crucial to the progress of community development work. Councillor Crichton advised that the primary focus was currently the resourcing with the appointment of a second employee to have responsibility for both the adoption of the open space from Winchester and to work alongside Grainger.

RESOLVED:

That the verbal report be noted.

Jenni Upstill provided an update from Grainger in reference to infrastructure works. The following was reported:

-           Western link road (Marrelsmoor Avenue) had been moved forward to accommodate school, expected to complete in Spring 2024.

-           Issues with sourcing some materials due to Brexit which was causing delays – e.g. conservation kerbs, surfacing materials, signage and bins

-           Stakes Hill roundabout pushed back to September 2021 at the earliest – HCC decision

-           Discussions with HCC on future road adoption. Linnet Rise (Phase 1) in the final stages.

-           Yellow lines have been placed on Grainger Street  which have had a positive impact

-           Yew Gardens (Phase 2) line strategy sent to Hampshire for comment, will install once approved

-           Wayfinding consultant employed to improve signage on site and to further the installation of entry signage to Berewood.

Arising out of questions from members of the Forum, the following issues were discussed:

Speeding Traffic – Jenni Upstill advised that she would refer concerns regarding speed limits to the infrastructure team to liaise with Hampshire Highways

B2150 review -  Councillor Clear stated that the last update she had received from Hampshire Highways in relation to the B2150 review was that once the examination of the Acquind proposals had been closed, a meeting would be arranged with Councillor Hughes and herself to discuss this matter. However, to date no further update had been provided.

Taylor Wimpey

Councillor Crichton reported that representatives from Taylor Wimpey had indicated that work was due to start on the completion of the sickle way entrance and that remedial work was due to take place along a significant stretch of the Hambledon Road as part of the adoption process. However, Taylor Wimpey had queried if it was appropriate to carry out the remedial works in advance of any progress taken by the Government regarding the Acquind proposals. This would impact on any remedial works that had taken place beforehand and discussions were taking place with Hampshire Highways on this matter.

RESOLVED:

That the verbal report be noted.