Here are the notes from the meeting held on Thursday 4 October. Next meeting will be in February 2019. Watch for date and time. Over 100 people attended but where was everyone else!! Any comments?? Feed them back so we can pass to the council!!
Waterlooville Town Community/Business
Meeting
Thursday 4th October 2018 @
7PM @ Waterlooville Baptist Church
Apologies:
Cllr N. Baines; Cllr P. Baines; Cllr M Sceal
Councillors present: Cllr Sarah Milne, Cllr Gary Hughes, Cllr Tim
Pike, Cllr Paul Buckley, Cllr Ann
Briggs, Cllr P Wade
Community Meeting Leader: Mrs J Buckley (Jackie)
1: Introduction -
Mrs Buckley welcomed both local
business and private attendees to the meeting which was supported in a large
number. She outlined the agenda, and introduced Councillors present. There were
also invitations available to any businesses who had yet to receive one to the
upcoming Lord Mayors Business Meeting. Jackie then addressed rumours brought to
her attention since the last meeting –
·
Waitrose closing
– unfounded
·
New Look closing
– closure 10th October due to major chain going into administration. The Works moving in
·
Businesses moving
into empty Robert Dyas unit - Holland
& Barratt half the shop
·
Iceland
moving/closing – unfounded
2:
Anti-social behaviour – Some
anti-social behaviour has been reported by the town centre clock and
surrounding seating. HBC has decided to keep the benches in situ and monitor
behaviour.
When asked why CCTV had not been
re-instated, Cllr Pike informed the meeting that the Police would not help with
funding and HCC could not afford to reinstate without extra financial support.
It was agreed that CCTV should be a necessity in town centres, and other
deterrents explored, (reference to Cornwall who play classical music on
loudspeakers in problem areas which seems to deter issues).
3: Disabled access to shops and local
transport – Issues brought to
Cllr Pike’s attention included concerns that local shop doorways were too
narrow, and movement within some stores difficult if using wheelchairs or
mobility scooters. Cllr Pike requested that any concerns be sent directly to
the Access Officer of HBC, who will review and respond.
The refurbished Wellington Pub is
currently inaccessible to wheelchair users due to the step access (no ramp).
Cllr’s were reminded that The Equality
Act 2010 states that businesses have a duty to ensure that the disabled are
treated equally at all levels including access to buildings.
4: Jubilee Park –Cllr Seale has compiled a list of facilities
and equipment in the park and would welcome some thoughts on how the park can
be better used and improved. Please send any comments etc., directly to Cllr
Seale.
5: WACA Cafe – The cafe was thought to have been closed, but
will remain open for the next three months whilst the Trustees await planning
permission for the proposed refurbishment which will take some weeks. It is
then hoped that the cafe can be reopened with a new provider in place.
6: Maurepas Way – Issues around the safety of pedestrians,
particularly those with mobility, sight or hearing impairments, to be able to
use the current crossing safely, were discussed. There have been a number of
accidents, which the Police have been involved with, and concerns were raised
that the safety of the crossing needs to be reviewed. Also a request made to
have the ramp access to the pedestrian subway reinstated. Cllr Buckley
explained that any issues to do with roads/crossings should be raised with HCC
customer helpline or via Hantsweb, where they will be attended to promptly. Cllr
Briggs said she would investigate.
7: Local Business concerns – The manager of the Vine Medical Group, which
is based over 4 sites, told members that their staff gratis parking within the
Forest End Fire Station has been stopped by HBC. The small number of parking
spaces at the Forest End site has always been an issue, and staff did not want
to take up valuable space. Members were asked if they were aware of any other
spaces staff could use close by, and a suggestion that they could explore using
the redundant garage site, approximately 50 yards away, within the Forest End residential
area was appreciated.
Members also cited high business rates
alongside absentee landlords raising rents to exorbitant levels, as being prime
factors for businesses leaving the town. Cllr Pike said that HBC is not able to
offset rates, the money sits in local enterprise for other things. HBC are
actively contacting landlords to begin dialogue around various concerns
including smartening up shop fronts of vacant premises.
Cllr Pike Q&A’s –
Local Plan
~ Cllr Pike explained that the new proposed Local Plan will set out policies
until 2036 as the planning authority in the Borough. Final draft will be
published in January 2019. The plan includes Housing/transport/open
spaces/playgrounds and built leisure facilities.
He reminded members that rates for the
new West of Waterlooville housing development, went directly to Winchester but
the residential nature of the development meant there was a drain on local HBC
facilities.
HBC have plans to invest more in
re-generation, but they only own 2 car parks in Waterlooville, nothing else, so
improvement difficult.
Bus services
- Stagecoach bus service wants to generate more business and they recognise
there are access issues for users as not all buses have drop ramp options. Buses
are not currently accessible to users of power chairs/scooters. Stagecoach are
bringing in 15 new buses to meet regulations as they need to be fully compliant
by 2020. There have also been some improvements with lay-by services recently.
HCC have recently placed a bid for a new Waterlooville to Havant fast track
service to run alongside the current No 39. Bus services from Waterlooville to
QA Hospital are also being reviewed to give users direct access into the
hospital campus, as opposed to the current main road bus stops which involve a
long walk to the hospital.
Lack of NHS dentists in the area - Provision of dentists is done
by National Commissioning, and healthcare access is part of the new Local Plan.
Extra facilities in Leisure Centres - Horizon Trust have a business plan but
their views are opposed to those of HBC. Issues are currently under discussion.
There is no space around either centre for all weather pitches, which is a
stumbling block to improved facilities. But indoor facilities for indoor
football, raquet sports etc should be investigated.
McDonalds site/crossing - The area is still designated for leisure
and HBC are hopeful of positive outcomes after discussions with various leisure
organisations. There will also be a new pedestrian crossing to the McDonalds.
Jubilee Park floodlights - members discussed the possibility of
floodlights but it was recognised they may be an issue for local residences.
Alternate uses for empty shops - HBC have discussed the issue, but there is
no cash or current policy (also problematic due to absentee landlords non
co-operation) for compulsory purchase. There is money available to reinstate
vinyl windows decorations as have been used in the past, but require permission
from landlords. Compulsory purchase not impossible in future but imaginative
ideas needed to make it work. If a good business case was put forward, the
option could be explored. Members discussed re-generation ideas seen elsewhere
which involved shops refurbished into dwellings, creating a retail/residential
mix. Members recognised parking was a continuing issue with any proposal.
Members were told there was no time limit on how long a shop could remain empty
before being subject to any compulsory purchase.
It was asked if something could be done about the neglected look of the town. Such as the grass growing through the paving slabs, and window decorations should be pursued. Cllr Pike said local ward councillors should be approached
Cycling
- Cycle Waterlooville introduced themselves and stated they were working with HBC
to create/improve local cycle ways and other off-road routes, alongside
promoting cycling with schools and the local community.
Members discussed issues around
motorbikers using the cycle paths, causing anti social behaviour and noise
issues for residents. The majority of members do not want cyclists using the
pedestrian precinct areas, and issues around hazardous mobility scooter use
were raised.
It was noted that many local roads
remain unadopted, which cause access issues across the Borough.
Availability of monies generated from new
development - Cllr Pike informed members that paperwork
relating to the amounts and allocation of developers money through the West of
Waterlooville properties, is available
for the public to see at HBC Plaza.
West of Waterlooville Forum is made up
by local Parish Councils. Issues like trigger points of housing –v- local
infrastructure are discussed.
Members reminded Cllr Pike that the West
of Waterlooville development will
ultimately have schools, a pub, retail units and a community centre. All of
which will have a major impact on the town centre.
Wellington Way Development update – HHC have informed the developer that their
current application will not be supported with the proposed number of parking
spaces. The developer has agreed to reconsider/revise the application, and a
new application will be submitted in due course to HBC. The revised plan will
go out to further public consultation. Members asked that the next consultation
process be ‘meaningful’, in that clear modelling for the public to view/comment
on, is provided and publicity given to the revised process. Cllr Pike
recognised that transparent consultation is important to the community. He also
agreed that a potential 9 storey development could be permitted if HBC felt it
was justified.
Local issues
- Cllr Pike reminded members that they
could raise any local issues with their Ward Councillors, whose details can be
found on the HBC website or via the Customer helpline.
Events Team Update -
Monthly Cinema 25/10/18 at St Georges
Hall. This month the film is ‘On Chesil Beach’
17th November - The 2018
Christmas events will include music, town centre lights switch on, and Stage
events.
In December there will be a Christmas
Grotto in the Library where all children will be able to experience the magic
of Christmas, with a nominal charge of £2 (a team of Santa’s and Elves are
visiting to help things along!)
May 2019 will see the Party in the
Precinct Carnival.
A.O.B.
-
A roving microphone would have been
useful to aid Q&A sessions. Baptist
Church have one available
Members thank the Events Team for a
wonderful Fete in August.
Members suggested the next meeting
could be February/March 2019, but it was also thought an earlier meeting should
take place based on the progress of the Wellington Way development application.
Meeting closed 9pm.