Minutes:
He sought feedback from forum members on various aspects, including the proposal for the Town Council to host the forum, the format of future meetings, meeting frequency, and the composition of the forum's membership to better reflect the resident population of North Whiteley. Councillor Tod also raised questions about the broader implications for planning and stakeholder involvement, given the development's current status and the need to ensure that the voices of North Whiteley's residents were adequately represented in future discussions and decisions.
Members raised questions and made comments which could be summarised as:
1. That areas such as Hedge End, Fair Oak and Botley were impacted by the traffic implications of the North Whiteley development, and so representation on any future forum was suggested to safeguard the interests of affected residents.
2. The necessity for continued participation by at least one representative from Curbridge was requested, given the area's proximity to North Whiteley. Additionally, the valuable support provided by Winchester officers was acknowledged, with a request for their ongoing involvement to ensure the development's positive progress.
3. Botley Parish Council expressed support for maintaining a place at the forum, highlighting concerns about the bypass delays and the potential for Botley to become a destination for North Whiteley residents.
4. A recommendation was made to extend the forum's current operations for an additional 6 to 8 months, citing the ongoing development and the critical role of Winchester officers in managing the consortium effectively.
5. The unique position of Whiteley, straddling Fareham and Winchester boroughs, was discussed, with emphasis on the shared interests and interdependencies, such as medical facilities and main access points. The possibility of a separate or joint forum to address wider Whiteley issues was suggested.
6. A proposal was made for a more focused forum specifically for North Whiteley, aimed at fostering real engagement with residents and ensuring the integration of new and existing communities.
7. Concern was raised to guard against the forum becoming a "talking shop", and whether its current membership and geographic focus were adequately aligned with the interests and needs of the community it served.
8. Questions were raised about the possibility of restructuring the forum to ensure more focused and genuine engagement with the community, highlighting the need for real interaction and engagement.
9. A draft term of reference was mentioned as a proposed step forward, indicating ongoing progress in addressing community issues, including discussions with Hampshire County Council about traffic management concerns.
10.The necessity of holding meetings in person was underscored as the preferred approach to facilitate better engagement and integration of residents within the Whiteley community.
Councillor Tod acknowledged the useful contributions made, and summarised the discussion as follows.
1. He recognised the necessity for continued dialogue, highlighting the critical nature of discussions on the various influences affecting North Whiteley and the broader community's well-being.
2. It was agreed that a discussion involving the relevant councils would be initiated to explore effective ways to support and enhance the North Whiteley community.
3. Further discussion regarding the future of the forum would continue, ensuring that the needs and concerns of the North Whiteley residents were adequately met. Any discussions of the way forward, particularly concerning the future of the North Whiteley Forum hosted and managed by the town council, must involve a plan that meets with the collective agreement and satisfaction of all parties involved.
4. He acknowledged the importance of addressing the challenges faced by communities that straddle borders, with a commitment to continue discussions on how best to manage these unique community dynamics.
A proposal was made to report the next steps to a future meeting of the Winchester City Council Cabinet.