Winchester City Borough Council North Whiteley Development Forum Meeting

Apologies were noted as above.

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 14 July 2021 be approved and adopted.

No members of the public had registered to speak. In response to a question, the forum was advised that in addition to the normal publishing of the agenda on the council’s website and to all forum members that information had been shared with several local internet forums.  Officers had also advertised the meeting in the local area with 10 posters on 2 November 2021.

Lisa Kirkman, Strategic Director, Winchester City Council introduced the item and updated the forum regarding the purpose, process and city council team who would manage the Community Governance Review (CGR). The forum was referred to the report within the agenda pack which gave details of the proposal to establish a ‘North Whiteley Community Governance Review Advisory Group’, its Terms of Reference and composition.

Members asked several questions and made comments regarding; whether a  member would be able to attend the advisory board should the Mayor (who is one of the ward members) be unable to attend, the lessons learnt from previous reviews, the benefits of meeting in-person Vs meeting virtually, the likely options to be consulted on, the consultation phases and options, whether this forum could undertake the functions of the proposed advisory board and the role of the city council’s Licensing & Regulation Committee.

These points were responded to by the Strategic Director.    

Resolved:

1.    that the draft Terms of Reference be noted

2.    that officers consider the comments of the forum

Jeff Davis of Tetra Tech provided the forum with a presentation and also shared the latest drone footage of the development which had been recorded in October 2021 and was available on the council’s website here. The presentation covered a range of issues which included the following: progress on Bluebell Way, progress on Station Hill to Whiteley Way/ Curbridge Way to Whiteley Way, off-site Whiteley Way progress, an update on housing delivery, the delivery of open space and an ecology/environment delivery update.

Hilary Oliver, Implementation Officer, Winchester City Council addressed the forum and referred members to the report, ref NWDF16, available on the council's website here.  The Implementation Officer provided an update on progress on several issues which included matters from the previous meeting relating to the number of market homes sold/under negotiation, the telecoms mast, the S106 obligations list (as shown in appendix 1 of the report), Botley Way cycleway, overall housing delivery, the primary school, allotment provision, the temporary community centre, play areas and a bus provision update.

Members asked several questions and made comments regarding; the use of photovoltaic panels on house roofs, whether there were adequate means for wildlife to safely move from one section of woodland to another, measures to stop the decline in numbers of Swifts, commencement/completion of works on R1A, the use of temporary traffic lights on R1A, the siting of bus stops at either the surgery and/or community hospital and the ownership and management of bus shelters.

These points were responded to by Jeff Davis and Hilary Oliver who agreed to provide further information on the number of housing units being fitted with photovoltaic technology, the siting of bus stops and the use of Swift boxes.

Resolved:

1.    that the report be noted

2.    that officers consider the comments of the forum

The Chairperson asked forum members if there were any specific matters they wished to raise under this agenda item that hadn’t already been discussed. The following points were raised:

1.    that a recent meeting had taken place which included members of the forum and representatives from the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). Councillor Woodward gave a verbal update of the key aspects of the meeting and the chairperson confirmed that the presentation slides would be circulated to forum members once received.

2.    a request was made for an update on the previously raised school placement issue including the timescale for the development of a secondary school and the interim impact to Swanmore college.

Members put forward the following for future agenda items: 

·       future health plans

·       school admissions update