Agenda item

Councillor Lee addressed the forum on this item. In summary, he made reference to the following points:

·       Speaking as Winchester district resident, trust member and city councillor who cherishes the city’s unique historic surroundings and the part the city plays in the wider district.

·       Signposted an opportunity to address the rising environmental economic financial and planning challenges for the city and environments.

·       He stated that whilst master plans were welcome, there must be strong mitigating joined up actions for the unique locality covering energy, transport, economic social climate and nature crisis including the need to create and attract businesses.

·       Incomplete considerations of the best planning outcomes for the city and wider district.

·       Made reference to the Station Approach risk register under the timing risk, namely for Central Winchester Regeneration, Station Approach, the former leisure centre, entry junction 9, St John Moore Barracks, northern park and ride Bar End and Bushfield. Whilst these developments would run independently, it was clear significant cross collaboration to integrate and address challenges to ensure sustainable development, co-benefits and proper affordability and viability tests were achieved. Following recent preview of the regulation 18 amends for the new local plan, he could not see how, without a city-wide neighbourhood plan, the challenges could be addressed in sufficient detail for the best planning development outcomes.

·       Councillor Lee stated that the local plan and the masterplan should be considered to be deficient, as without a city-wide neighbourhood plan, there would be insufficient detail to deal with the interlinked critical challenges.

·       Considered that the Winchester Movement Strategy should be put into the context of a city-wide plan to further improve Winchester.

·       A Winchester city neighbourhood plan would empower the community to create a shared vision and deliver the local sustainable development challenges.

·       In conclusion, he urged the forum to reinvigorate an approach for a neighbourhood plan led by a community group using the vision created in 2021and the work previously undertaken by the Town Forum (Planning for the future) Informal Group.

In response to the matters raised by Councillor Lee, the Chairperson stated that whilst the forum shared the aspirations, these matters did not fall within the scope of the report or the remit of the forum. The Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency made reference to the quantity of resource required for work of this scale and clarified that there were no available resources within the town account. It was noted that there was ongoing work on a North Winchester plan, but the consensus in communities was that they would like individual community plans, rather than one for the entire city.

In conclusion, it was suggested that Councillor Lee address the matters raised with Cabinet Committee: Local Plan going forward and review previous forum papers where this matter was discussed in 2019 and 2020.

Councillor Learney provided an overview of the report as member of the Town Accounts Informal Group who had reviewed the medium-term financial position. Councillor Learney outlined the ambitious programme of works and facilities provided to residents and made reference to the notable increases to contract inflation and other costs which had a significant impact on the Town Account and required management within limited resources. 

Councillor Learney reported that a changed approach to the playground refurbishment programme was anticipated which, if agreed, would result in a positive impact to the budget to maintain a reserve of 10% of the budget without further changes for the next year. However, it was emphasised that it would not be possible to maintain this level of reserves without further action being taken.

The forum were reminded that the town charge was broadly the equivalent of a parish precept, but compared (based on an average band D annual council tax property charge) to market towns in the district and that of surrounding local authorities, the town precept charge was significantly less and offered very good value for money for the quality of facilities and services provided to those residing in the town area.  

It was recognised that options would be constrained going forward, with limited ability to raise funds through charges, with increases to town precept charges being bound by the Government’s capping regime. Therefore, following the review of the playground refurbishment programme, further budget reviews were scheduled to look at services such as cemeteries, open spaces and grounds maintenance and grants over the next year.

At the conclusion of debate, the forum supported that report and thanked officers and the Town Accounts Informal Group for a robust medium term financial position.

RESOLVED:

1.       That the report be received and the budget issues identified be noted for consideration; and

          2.       That the comments of the Forum be noted and reported back to                Cabinet in relation to the wider budget consultation.