Eastleigh Borough Council Chandler's Ford and Hiltingbury Local Area Committee Meeting

Three members of the public spoke in relation to recent flooding in Carlyn Drive, which they had never experienced before.

They raised concerns that the culverts were blocked and the sewers were full of storm water and unable to cope with the rainfall, meaning their gardens were flooded and sewage was coming out of the manholes. Fences were also damaged by the water and debris that it had picked up along the way.

They stated how frightened they were at the time that their houses would also flood and they would have to move out.

The residents wanted to know if there was anything the Council could do to help them in this situation and ensure that it doesn’t happen again.

Councillor Duguid also mentioned that there had been issues in Nickson Close and Merdon Avenue, and requested they be included in any discussions and planning.

Councillor Duguid declared a personal interest in Item 6 of the agenda, as he was part of the working party discussing the grant application, and had excluded himself from discussion on St Martin’s Church as he is an active member of the church.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2023 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the first Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury Local Area Committee meeting of 2024, and hoped that everyone enjoyed the Christmas and New Year celebrations. He wished everyone present a happy prosperous, peaceful and successful year in 2024.

The Chair mentioned that for some, it was likely to be a busy and eventful year ahead with local, police and crime commissioner and general elections to look forward to.

The Chair stated that the next big event would be the budget setting meeting of the Council, where he fully expected them to be able to announce that for the 21st year in succession the budget increase would be below the December inflation level due to the strong ongoing financial controls and policies followed by the Council over the years.

He hoped that would help to give confidence to residents, and help them to keep the Council’s part of the council tax bill downs below inflation.

The Chair reminded people that even in Chandler's Ford and Hiltingbury there were people who were struggling and who needed help. He mentioned that only last week his wife had helped  a rather frail elderly lady who had fallen, they then discovered that her central heating boiler was faulty and she was living in a house without any heating or hot water.

The Chair asked everyone to please take care of each other, especially through this very cold weather.

The Chair had recently been made aware of a charity organisation, DEPHER, who can provide paid and community heating and plumbing services.

They can provide free emergency repairs for over 65's and customers who are registered disabled, for things such as gas leaks, no heating, no hot water etc, where individuals are vulnerable and are unable to afford these repairs in an emergency.

Although they are based in the north, they may have local operatives whom they can work through.

Details can be found on www.depher.com

Tel. No. 01282 420678

Consideration was given to the report of the Local Area Manager (Agenda Item 6) that contained recommendations for expenditure from the Committee’s capital and revenue budget.

RESOLVED –

That the Committee:

(1)  Allocated £1,162 from the revenue reserve for Community grants to Friends of Fernhill, Age Concern, Chandler’s Ford and Hiltingbury Stroke Support and Wild Hive Community Interest Company;

(2)  Allocated £300 from the revenue reserve for the removal of redundant fencing at Norbury Gardens; 

(3)  Allocated £360 from the revenue reserve for tree planting at Lake Road to prevent verge parking;

(4)  Allocated £379.12 from the revenue reserve for two street name plates at Merdon Avenue and Clanfield Drive;

(5)  Allocated £14,700 for the Hiltingbury Polish Dependants’ Hostel Public Art Project from an Arts Council England grant; and

(6)  Approved the proposed fees and charges for cemeteries for 2024, set out in Appendix 1 of Item 6 on the agenda.

(NOTE: Councillor Duguid declared a personal interest in Item 6 of the agenda, as he was part of the working party discussing the grant application, and had excluded himself from discussion on St Martin’s Church as he is an active member of the church.)

The Legal Services Manager reported:-

(a)  that the following appeals had been lodged:-

57 Kingsway Gardens, Chandler’s Ford, SO53 1FF

Appealed against the Council’s refusal of planning permission for

1 no. Oak (T1) - Reduce by 2m, remove all the deadwood in the crown.

1 no. Oak (T2) - Remove major deadwood in the crown.

1 no. Oak (T3)- Fell. (T/21/90768)

This was a delegated decision.

(b)  that the following appeals had been dismissed:-

134 Park Road, Chandler’s Ford, SO53 1HQ

Appealed against the Council’s refusal of planning permission for the erection of a ground floor extension and loft conversion.

The appeal for costs was refused.

This was a delegated decision.

RESOLVED -

That the report be noted.