Appendix 1
HEDGE END, WEST END & BOTLEY LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE
ANNUAL REVIEW 2014 - 2015
Introduction
This report provides an opportunity to reflect upon the key issues for the Hedge End,
West End and Botley (HEWEB) Local Area Committee in 2014-15. The report also
contains information about local projects and partnerships.
The Committee
The HEWEB Local Area Committee represents the largest of the 5 local areas within
the Borough of Eastleigh. As a result, the Committee also has the most Councillors
consisting of 13 ward councillors – 4 from West End; 7 from Hedge End and 2 from
Botley. The Committee is supported by an Area Co-ordinator and officers from
various units within the Borough Council.
The Local Area Committee meetings are opportunities for local people to raise local
issues; to speak for and against planning applications and to receive reports and
updates on the work of the Committee. The Committee is also responsible for
strategic planning and the allocation of resources.
Planning applications
This year a substantial amount of the Committee’s work has been involved with
planning applications. The Committee has considered 14 applications during
2014/15.
The most controversial applications were for Sovereign Drive when 110 people
attended the Committee meeting; Dog Kennel Farm which was debated for 100
minutes and most recently, Land off Bubb Lane.
We have also approved the Moorgreen Hospital Development Brief which has been
adopted as a supplementary planning document and will be used to inform future
planning applications on this important site.
Several planning exhibitions have been held by the Council most notably for the
Hatch Farm proposals in November 2014 and the Moorgreen development brief in
late January 2015.
With an increasing pressure to build more houses, the importance of the
Committee’s work has never been greater. This will continue in 2015 and beyond
with applications for previously unallocated sites being submitted by developers and
more appeals against the Committee’s decisions for refusal, being forecast.
1
Appendix 1
Grants to Voluntary Organisations
One of the highlights of my year was to present grant cheques to local community
organisations. The presentation evening is also a celebration of the many activities
which are organised by volunteers who give up their own time to help others. These
grants were mainly awarded to pre-schools, arts/sports and social clubs and groups
for older people.
The Committee also received another significant report concerning the HEWEB
Youth Council’s recommendations for grants to young people’s organisations such
as the scouts and explorers. I was delighted that Joshua Buckle, the Chair of the
Youth Council presented this report to my Committee this year.
I am pleased to inform you that this Committee has agreed to allocate £4000 from its
revenue budget for the funding of next year’s youth grants.
Support for the HEWEB Youth Partnership
This Committee continues to support the employment of the HEWEB Youth Worker
and the Youth Partnership which is going from “strength to strength”.
Funding for youth provision is a priority for this Committee. We have continued to
support the Council’s Parksport scheme for 8-16 year olds and will do so again in
2015. We also welcome the new Summer of Sport programme which will provide
activities for those over 16.
Friday Night Football at Botley Recreation Ground has proved so successful this
year with 45 youngsters enjoying this activity every week. We will continue to support
this venture with the Parish Council.
The service level agreement with Hedge End Town Council and Wildern School to
support the Teenage Drop in Centre (TADIC) has also been renewed for 2015-16.
Evidence provided by TADIC showed that 81% of clients live in the HEWEB area.
Our other Council partner is West End Parish Council which operates the hugely
successful Youthouse facility at Moorgreen Recreation Ground. The Community
Games event in August was also well attended and my Committee has recently
approved some funding for this event in 2015.
Wildern
We continue to support the management of the community facilities and are pleased
to note the diverse programme within the Berry Theatre. This Committee also
contributed £5,000 towards a digital upgrade which will enable live streaming of
performances at the Theatre.
The D.@rt Centre continues to offer a varied programme of activities. The Centre
has been successful in applying for grants from this Committee and in particular I
2
Appendix 1
was pleased to support the new venture called Wordplay – a celebration of all things
book related!
Wildern Leisure Centre celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2014 and this Committee
was able to grant fund the purchase of anti- wave lane ropes and swimming
coaching provision.
Itchen Valley Country Park
Little Owls Woodland Pre-school is our new OFSTED registered outdoor facility for
three and four year olds based at Itchen Valley Country Park. It gives children the
opportunity to learn about trees, animals, building dens and cooking over fires in a
wonderful woodland setting. This Committee provided funding of over £20,000.
A feasibility study into the potential expansion of the existing facilities at Itchen Valley
has commenced supported by funding of £34,600. Results of this feasibility study will
be known later this year.
Transport
My Committee has funded a new car park on the edge of Dowd’s Farm in Hedge
End. With the creation of 23 car parking spaces, this caters for visitors to the park
and parents with children at Wellstead School who wish to park and stride.
The car park at Hedge End Train Station has been extended by 38 spaces.
HEWEB is also responsible for the approval of traffic regulation orders (TROs) which
typically involve yellow line markings. Requests for TROs usually come from
residents and Councillors. The Traffic Officer will then make recommendations which
are fully discussed at the Committee meetings.
Speed limit reminder signs are also paid for by this Committee and these have been
located in 30 hotspot locations within HEWEB this year.
Sustainable transport schemes funded by HEWEB
The Greta Park pedestrian and cycle route was completed in 2014 and provides a
route from Turnpike Way through the Town Centre and beyond to the retail units in
Hedge End.
The Park and Stride scheme at Wellstead School has been established and the
current scheme at King’s Copse will be re- launched in April.
Cycle provision has also been improved at the train station with the addition of 23
cycle storage spaces.
Following requests from residents and funding from my Committee, a bus shelter
has recently been installed at the bus stop on Winchester Street near the entrance to
Holmesland Drive in Botley.
3
Appendix 1
Botleigh Bridge in Hedge End is undergoing repairs with estimated costs of £11,000.
Earlier in the year, an access route was improved in Allen Road leading to and from
Watts Road after a request from a resident.
Public Art
The Man of Trees sculpture was funded by this Committee and it was unveiled in
November 2014. It is situated in the High Street and marks the beginning of the West
End Heritage Trail.
The public art projects for the shelter at the Crematorium and the life sized cricketers
at the Ageas Bowl are nearing completion.
Extended boxing and fitness facilities
This Committee approved funding of £360,000 for the extension of the boxing and
fitness facilities at the Ageas Bowl. Working with the Poseidon Boxing Club and
Hampshire Cricket in the Community, this project is due for completion in late
summer and will be a great addition to this sporting hub in West End.
Community Safety
We have worked closely again with the local police on issues such as the Christmas
light display in Greyhound Close and anti - social behaviour concerns. I would also
like to thank the local Community Speedwatch and Street Pastor teams
We have used our discretion to assist residents specifically concerning grants for
improved street lighting in communal areas and town centres and we continue to
support Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
Town and Village Centres
In Townhill Farm District Centre, works have been completed to the street lighting,
dropped kerb, signage, drainage and road markings.
We have invested in 9 flower planters for the 3 main town centres in HEWEB. This
funding will also be repeated in 2015 as residents inform us that they appreciate the
visual impact. We have also planted thousands of bulbs in the area with the help of
our partners and these are in flower at the time of writing.
This Committee has also allocated over £4,000 to upgrade the planting on 2 major
roundabouts in Hedge End.
Popular requests
Apart from transport and traffic issues, other popular requests from residents funded
by this Committee during 2014/15 included provision for litter bins; dragons’ teeth;
drainage; pathway clearances; street name plates and tree work.
4
Appendix 1
Finance
This section of the report will be updated for the Local Area Committee meeting on
15 June when the final outturn figures will be available.
The future
Engagement with the community is critical and we encourage residents to express
their views to their local Councillors, Area Co-ordinator or by attending the local area
committee meetings.
We remain an ambitious local committee and will continue to deliver on the issues
that are important to local people with the help of our partners who I would like to
thank for their invaluable support.
Our immediate priorities involve the development of community facilities at the
Ageas Bowl and Itchen Valley Country Park. We will also start to devise
improvement plans for the local shopping centres with our partners and establish a
local business network.
Cllr Rupert Kyrle
Chairman Hedge End, West End & Botley Local Area Committee
5
Appendix 1
HEWEB ANNUAL REVIEW 2014-15
(REVIEW PERIOD 31 MARCH 2014 – 31 MARCH 2015)
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Number of Committee meetings convened
Average attendance
Public participation (speakers in Committee)
Additional Members’ meetings
2014-15
7
46
59
10
AGENDA ANALYSIS
Planning applications considered
Other reports
Exempt items
14
19
0
REPORTS ADOPTED
HEWEB Annual Review 2013/14
Itchen Valley Forest School Kindergarten + Visitor Facilities Project
Public Art Schemes
Financial Management Report
Allocation of Developers’ Contributions
Grange Park Mobile Homes – Renewal of Management
Agreement
Disposal of Land in Hedge End (Gullycroft Mead)
Disposal of Land in Hedge End (Berrywood Gardens)
Disposal of Land in Botley (Four Acres)
Fees and Charges Report
Community Investment Programme Priorities in HEWEB
Funding for Extended Boxing Facilities at the Ageas Bowl
Ageas Bowl Review April – September 2014
Hedge End Station Parking Proposals
Various On-Street Parking Restrictions
Community Grants 2015/16
Funding for Local Projects
Recommendations of HEWEB’s Youth Council for Youth Grants
Community Investment Programme and Revenue Projects
REVENUE GRANTS AWARDED
Revenue grants for local community projects
Revenue value
6
28
£8,610
Appendix 1
Revenue grants for Youth Projects
Revenue value
12
£3,492
COMMUNITY SAFETY GRANTS AWARDED
£1,100
ANNUAL SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENTS (SLAs) –
reviewed/renewed
Hedge End Teenage Drop-In Centre
Youth work team leader - HEWEB
Friday Night Football – SLA until 2017
Direct Services roundabout annual rolling maintenance SLA
Wildern Community Management Committee
Berrywood Meadows – Direct Service maintenance SLA
Air quality management zone – rolling programme
£5,500
£12,500
£2,000
£17,500
£48,504
£1,950
£13,000
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Greta Park Pedestrian/Cycle route
Extension of cycle parking at Hedge End Train Station
Dowd’s Farm Community car park
Dowd’s Farm Community Centre
Football goal at Turnpike Way Recreation Ground
Broad Oak – safety bollards
Hatch Café, West End (contribution)
Moorgreen Recreation Ground Multi Use Games Area (MUGA)
King’s Community Church MUGA
Little Owls Kindergarten – Itchen Valley Country Park
Allen Road dropped kerbs
Man of Trees – West End Public Art
Townhill District Centre improvements
Hedge End Community Tennis (contribution)
£88,444
£11,724
£99,230
£40,000
£15,000
£1,396
£5,569
£39,500
£40,000
£23,431
£3,531
£7,008
£1,928
£3,500
EXPENDITURE SUMMARY
Capital expenditure
Revenue expenditure
Total Revenue reserve – (committed/uncommitted)
£237,867
£635,891
£168,848
7