Eastleigh Borough Council Eastleigh Local Area Committee Meeting

A local resident raised concerns about a lack a response to a query he had raised at a previous meeting regarding the lack of air quality data on the Council’s website and queries as to when the analyser would be repaired.  The resident was also concerned that an Air Quality report had not been brought to this meeting.  The Chair informed the resident that the analyser had been repaired and he would raise the data issue with officers.  The Chair was also disappointed that there was not an Air Quality report for this meeting.

The same resident complained about weeds growing on Cherbourg Road. He understood that the Borough Council were only contracted to provide one weed spray treatment on behalf of Hampshire County Council, but they did not spray where cars were parked.  The Chair responded that he had contacted the Executive Head of Neighbourhood Services who had passed it on to the Streetscene Manager to see where Cherbourg Road fitted into the programme.

The resident also highlighted concerns that bins had not been taken away by Direct Services, as had been requested, and residents were still storing bins in back service roads.  Many properties were flats where planning permission stated that a bin store should be provided but they had never been built.  The Chair responded that the bins appeared to be on private property rather than highway, but he would raise the matter with Direct Services.

Councillor Wayne Irish declared a personal interest in agenda item 8 as a member of the Parochial Church Council.

Councillor Paul Bicknell also declared a personal interest as a member of the Working Group.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 March 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Chair gave the following report:

Community Meal

He was proud to help out at the community meal in town last week which was arranged by the Asian Welfare and Community Association (AWCA).  An amazing 400 meals were served to local residents, workers and shoppers. The most amazing curry was served along with sandwiches and wraps and all for free due to the generosity of the AWCA.

Paddling pool opening dates

The hugely popular paddling pool re-opened for the bank holiday weekend, and he was pleased to say that Places Leisure had agreed to keep it open for a week longer, closing at the end of the first week of the autumn school term. This was in the hope that we would see a repeat of the warm weather we have had over the past couple of years at this time.

Town centre improvements

Plans were progressing well for a range of public realm improvements across the town centre. Starting today with 50 hanging baskets, and next week with the installation of public art on the glass roof of the colonnades. This would be followed in July by 40 new planters and associated seating, and new overhead lighting and floor art in Leigh Road Precinct.

Town Centre Toilets

Staying with the town centre, the Council were coming to the end of the Bus Station toilet refurbishment project, and they would be re-opening in the latter half of June. They would be a dramatic improvement over the old ones, and the Chair really hoped the community would like them.

Bandstand

The Bandstand has also had a makeover, with just the masonry to still to be painted. The contractors had cleaned the roof, repaired and repainted the timber, upgraded the lighting and painted the metalwork. It was now ready for the summer programme of bandstand concerts and other events through the summer.

Events

Events were restarting after the recent Covid affected summers. Some dates for the dairy included:

·  Eastleigh Unwrapped – 11 to 12 June

·  Circus Wonderland at the Passfield Avenue Fair Ground – 13 to 17 July

·  Eastleigh Mela – 24 July

·  Stephens Funfair – 5 to14 August

Aviary in Bloom and Waste Amnesty

Aviary in Bloom would take place on the 24 June and the Bulky Waste Amnesty later in September.

Community garden

The Chair had seen pictures of the wonderful flower beds made by the Mens shed and on the 25^t June these flower beds would be ready to fill with soil and plants.

The Principal Planning Officer gave a short presentation on guidelines that had to be considered when determining planning applications; particularly issues that could, and could not, be taken into account.  This was set against the broader policy framework.

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Head of Planning and Economy (Agenda item 7) to sever land, demolish outbuilding and erect a pair of semi-detached 2 bed houses (F/21/92120).

The Committee was advised that there were no additional consultee responses received and no additional representations received.

RESOLVED -

To grant permission subject to adjustments to recommended conditions:

1 new condition in relation to trees:

The existing tree in the north east corner of the rear amenity space for dwelling 1 and the tree in south east corner of the rear amenity space for dwelling 2 shall be retained.

Reason - To retain and protect the existing trees which form an important part of the amenity of the locality.

Amended wording to condition 6:

No development shall start until details of a sustainable drainage system, including details for the sustainable disposal of surface water and disposal of foul sewerage, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The details shall include a timetable for its implementation and a management/ maintenance plan for the lifetime of the development [including the arrangements for adoption by any public body or statutory undertaker, or any other arrangements to secure the effective operation of the sustainable drainage system throughout its lifetime. The system shall be implemented and thereafter managed and maintained in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To ensure satisfactory drainage for the development.

[NOTES: (A) one local resident spoke in opposition to the scheme with concerns regarding outlook and privacy, departure from policy, vehicular access during construction and the lack of condition to maintain the access route; (B) the developer spoke in support of the application which would provide 2 much needed 2 bed dwellings that were in keeping with the local area and replaced a dilapidated outbuilding and overgrown garden; and (C) the Committee expressed concerns about the state and width of the access road, potential loss of trees, removal of sewage from the site, waste collections, pedestrian access and, access for those with mobility issues.]

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Head of Planning and Economy (Agenda item 8) concerning the External permanent public art installation in the form of a clock utilising real-time bus arrivals data and coloured LED lighting, mounted to a slim mast or pole (full height 5.652 metres) (F/22/92964).

The Committee were updated that there had been no objection from Southampton Airport.

RESOLVED –

That permission be granted subject to the recommended conditions.

The Committee considered the report of the Democratic Services Manager (Agenda Item 9) concerning appointments to regulatory panels and outside bodies.

RESOLVED –

(1)  the nominations for 2022/23 municipal year appointments to regulatory panels and other groups as set out below were approved; and

(2)  That the Eastleigh Local Area Committee make appointments to the following Outside Bodies for the 2022/23 municipal year:

i. Age Concern, Eastleigh – Councillor Irish

ii. Asian Elders, Culture and Welfare Organisation–Councillor Mann

iii. Barton Peveril/Eastleigh College Liaison Group – Councillors Bicknell, Park and Spencer

iv. Lakeside Country Park Users Group – Councillor Bicknell

v. Pavilion on the Park – Councillors Irish and Spencer

vi. The Hub – Councillor Beer

vii. University of Southampton (Wide Lane Sports Facilities – User Advisory Group) – Councillor Irish

The Committee considered a report by the Local Area Manager (Agenda Item 10) setting out recommendations for expenditure from the Committee’s revenue budget and developer contributions.

RESOLVED -

That the following recommendations were approved:

(1)  £7,000 is allocated for public art on the town centre colonnades from developers’ contributions;

(2)  £8,000 is allocated for repairs to a footbridge in Fleming Park from developers’ contributions;

(3)  £6,000 is allocated to the town centre toilet improvement project from developers’ contributions;

(4)  £20,000 is allocated to the Hub Tennis Courts improvements from developers’ contributions, subject to approval by the developer;

(5)  £7,000 is allocated to the North Stoneham Park events space and kick-about area from developers’ contributions;

(6)  £15,000 is allocated to the Litter Bin Reserve from developers’ contributions;

(7)  £8,000 is allocated for a repair to the stream bank at Oaklands from developers’ contributions;

(8)  £5,000 is allocated for hanging baskets in the town centre from revenue budget; and

(9)  A new Cemetery Genealogy Search fee is introduced from 1 July 2022.

[NOTES: (A) A member of the public queried how much of the Welcome Back Fund had not been spent, whether Bishopstoke would be contributing to the costs of the tennis courts and would the Kickabout/Event Space be transferred to the Parish Council and (B) The Local Area Manager responded that the Bishopstoke, Fair Oak and Horton Heath Local Area Committee had been asked in the past about the transferring aspects of the Recreation Ground but had declined and the event space could be transferred to the parish if they wished to accept it in the future and that officers were already exploring a range of options for transfer.]

The Legal Services Manager reported:

(a)  that the following appeals had been lodged:

20 Kenilworth Gardens, Eastleigh, SO40 4PT

Appeal against the Council’s refusal of planning permission to carry our works on a tree protected by a tree preservation order.

(b)  that the following appeals had been dismissed:

143 Passfield Avenue, Eastleigh, SO50 9NH

Appeal against the Council’s refusal of planning permission for the erection of a single wheelchair user dwelling (Category M4(3) Building Regulations, 2021) to the rear of 143-145 Passfield Avenue, Eastleigh, SO50 9NH, together with associated access.

RESOLVED -

That the report be noted.