Councillor Irish reported that the new Car Boot Sale had started in the town centre on Saturday 17 March 2018; unfortunately this was affected by the bad weather, however there were 15 cars that took part and a number of people that attended and it proved popular. This is a well-supported introduction to the town centre.

Simon Payne addressed the Committee regarding when members of the public spoke at the meeting. He asked whether there were any guidelines around the timescales of the written response, as there seemed to be a number of weeks before he received these. He noted that Officers needed to be spoken to in order to obtain information however the responses did not seem very prompt.

In addition, Mr Payne spoke on behalf of a Lakeside resident. An Experimental Traffic Order was agreed for the Lakeside estate four weeks ago by the Committee and they had asked if there was any update from Barratt Homes with regard to their agreement for this to be implemented. It was agreed this would be in place by Easter but there had been no update.

Bret Willers, Lead Specialist for Environment, reported that he had been liaising with Hampshire County Council (HCC) as they were completing the negotiations for the adoption of the highway. He had received confirmation that day of an issue around tree planting and an agreement had not yet been reached. Barratt Homes have given verbal permission to implement the order, however written confirmation was required.  Consultation has been completed regarding where the lines should be placed and a final schedule which would be ready by the end of the week. The implementation should be on target providing HCC reach the agreement and if there was a delay, it would only be of a week or two.

Gill Payne advised the Committee that she had previously received a response to a question regarding the roll out of universal credits that said the impact this was having on people’s rent account or mortgage arrears could not be monitored as this information was not held by the Council. She appreciated that this information was not readily available however would like to ask whether it was the role for the Council to monitor poverty levels within its constituency, particularly when it had been indicated that levels were rising. She noted that there were various resources to do this, such as monitoring food banks and contacting Housing Associations.

In addition, Ms Payne had seen the Council’s ‘Private Sector Housing Renewal Strategy 2012 to 2017’ report which admitted that staffing levels were only sufficient to undertake a reactive approach and went on to say the demographic continued to grow and demand and budget would be kept under review. She said that it was known nationally that a number of privately rented homes failed basic health and safety regulations and that some of the older, hazardous properties were associated with the more vulnerable residents. She asked for an update on an increase of resources in order to protect vulnerable residents and also asked whether the Council would be considering a landlord registration accreditation scheme for Houses of Multiple Occupancy.

Ms Payne also asked whether it could be clarified whether the Council’s housing provider, Aspect, owned homes as part of its assets or whether it had rent paid directly to it.

Councillor Irish advised that a response would be sought and provided.

Phil Baker informed the Committee that he had not been aware there was an extra meeting held in February 2018 and asked whether regular attendees could be notified of any meetings and asked how much notice was given for that meeting.  Mr Baker also spoke regarding the housing crisis and the people in the local area feeling anxious. It was not just housing, but also health care in crisis, including the NHS. There had been reports that the Royal Hampshire County Hospital it was considering the closure of the Accident and Emergency and Acute Care department. Mr Baker asked whether Councillors had been consulted and what they thought about this and what they could do to stand up for residents. With the plans for 5000 homes to be built, there would be even more pressure on these health services. 

Councillor Irish confirmed that statutory notice of 7 days was given for the additional meeting that was held in February.

Josh Constable asked the Committee a question regarding the meeting held on 20 January, when planning permission was agreed to replace the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) and play areas on Blenheim Road with car parking and a community garden.  He had spoken to a number of residents on High Street and Market street and was surprised that a number of them were concerned that they had not been consulted regarding this and were disappointed with the outcome. One resident had suggested an alternative way of addressing the anti-social behaviour that went on in that area by putting a net over the games area; this option was substantially cheaper and would not result in the loss of the games area.  He asked whether there would be any new, safe play facilities close to the homes that the younger children could access without parental supervision.

Guy Riddoch, Local Area Manager, advised that the consultation with local residents was completed during the early stages. The netting was considered as one of the early options; however the Health and Safety Officers advised that it would not be appropriate, as young people may throw things onto the netting and try to retrieve them. As the site was not supervised it was felt that it was too greater risk as it could result in people falling off of the net and the net supports could not be made strong enough to support a person’s weight.  

The decision had been made to close the small, under used site and invest a significant amount into the Grantham Green play area; it was felt this would provide a much safer, local facility.

To consider the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 February 2018.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 February 2018 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Councillor Wayne Irish declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in agenda item 9, Allocation of Developers Contributions for North Stoneham Sports Pitch Relocation, because he is a member of North Stoneham and Bassett PCC.

Development Management staff gave a short presentation on guidelines that had to be taken into account when determining planning applications; in particular the issues that could, and could not, be taken into account.  This was set against the broader policy framework.

Application for mixed use of A3 (Restaurant/Cafe) and private hire office (Sui Generis) (F/17/81657)

The Committee considered the report of the Lead Specialist for Housing and Development (formerly Head of Development Management) (Agenda Item 7) concerning an application for mixed use of A3 (Restaurant/Café) and private hire office (Sui Generis). (Ref: F/17/81657)

The Committee was advised that there were no additional updates to the report.

RESOLVED –

That permission be GRANTED subject to the recommended conditions and reasons.

Consideration was given to the report of the Lead Specialist for Environment concerning a Traffic Regulation Order to implement the proposed ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions in Pitmore Road, Eastleigh.

The Committee was advised that the Traffic Regulation Order had been consulted on due to a safety concern with vehicles parked on the bend of the road. The initial proposal was to have full double yellow lines on one side of the road; however following objections from residents this had been reconsidered to retain four parking bays due to concerns about the effect on parking. It was felt that this proposal addressed the safety issues, whilst also taking into account the concerns raised by residents.

RESOLVED –

That the ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ restrictions on Pitmore Road, with a reduction to the proposed restrictions to retain four parking spaces, be implemented.

Consideration was given to the report of the SportsWorks Project Manager (Agenda Item 9) concerning the allocation of the outstanding £5,000,000 developers’ contributions for the sports pitch relocation project. This would enable the delivery of the Parklife Football Hub at the Monks Brook playing fields, the redevelopment of Hardmoor Sports Ground and the allocation of the ‘Trojans Works’ developers contributions within the Section 106 deadlines. Completion of these sports facilities would trigger the release of existing sports pitch land at Jubilee Playing Fields, allowing the North Stoneham housing development to progress.

RESOLVED –

That the allocation of the remaining Sports Infrastructure Project Contributions, up to the full remain value of £5m, subject to approval of the forward funding from Cabinet on 12 April 2018 be approved.

(NOTE: Councillor Irish declared an interest, left the room and the Vice-Chair, Councillor Mann, chaired the item.)

The Committee considered the report of the Lead Specialist for Environment (Agenda item 10) which provided an update on the Eastleigh Air Quality Management Area Action Plan and identified the current key issues within the area.

Councillor Campbell suggested that the working group that was set up for air quality be reconvened and Members agreed that this should be taken forward by the future Committee members, as it was important to continue to raise awareness and take action.

RESOLVED –

That the report be noted.

(NOTE: Two members of the publicspoke on the item raising concerns about the impact on the health of residents, the lack of awareness around air quality and that no Source Apportionment had been undertaken in order to move forward and also asked for some clarification on some aspects of the report.) 

Consideration was given to the report of the Local Area Manager (Agenda Item 11) that contained recommendations for expenditure from the Committee’s capital and revenue budget.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the allocation of developers’ contributions and revenue funding, as set out in Tables 1 and 2 be approved;

(2)  That the allocation of up to £10,000 from the revenue budget to the WW1 commemorative event to be held in September 2018 be approved;

(3)  That the allocation of £1,000 from the revenue budget to Eastleigh BID for the Eastleigh Pride event be approved; and

(4)  That the allocation of £600 from the revenue budget for the Newtown Area spring and autumn clean up events be approved.

RESOLVED –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2018 be noted.