ERA QGM 26 July, 2010
Chairman’s Report
First of all a message from Chris Curry, our past Chairman, this morning… he sends his thanks to everybody who has been kind enough to send messages or see him. He is much improved since his stroke. His next review is at the end of August, after which he’s hoping to get back on a part-time basis in September, subject to Delia giving permission.
Now introductions to new members of ERA Committee which give us wider community representation and stronger links. I’m pleased to welcome:
- Major Chris Hallam, Station Staff Officer at Thorney Island
- Jill Millar, Chairman of ECA – heart of community life
- Jean Tier, ex ECB with focus on youth projects
If Big Society is to fulfil the Government’s dream, it’ll be down to volunteers in communities such as ours that will make it happen. There’s a big mix of both taking back and devolving both local responsibility and funding which is hard to keep up with, but here goes…
Bees in my bonnet:
- Hampshire Farm – grounds for objection and next steps (separate note)
- HBC Core Strategy – The quota (6,300) is not changing after Eric Pickles scrapped regional plans. The officers don’t think the withdrawal of the SE plan will have any effect on their housing numbers because it was the Council who put forward the figure of 6,300 dwellings. They did not have it imposed upon them like many of the Sussex districts did, so there’s no dispute over the amount of housing to be provided. HBC Strategy Planner, Chris Lyons is replaced by Flo Churchill (an interim appointment).
- Oak Tree Drive – was the democratic process followed? Official complaint regarding DMC proceedings is being made.
- Oak Park Hospital – Is not yet determined, but continuing stakeholder workshops and uncosted options including a “nursing home” with 50/60 beds has been proposed. The land at Oak Park belongs to the NHS Hampshire. It is their intention to sell the required parcel of land to Hampshire County Council and the site would then be developed by Hampshire County Council and the private sector working together. NHS Hampshire would then purchase the facilities they require from the new set up. A HOSC sub-committee is dedicated to the Oak Park Hospital to ensure that services promised are not lost and we await their conclusions and our local and County Councillors are fighting tooth and nail for this. Sept HOSC is the crunch month.
- Emsworth/Westbourne Doctors’ Surgeries. The ball is in Linden Homes’ court… the Doctors are waiting…
- The Doctors need Linden Homes’ agreement that they will, prior to constructing the new development, provide the Practice with land and a newly built set of practice premises. They would need to have 10 consulting rooms, a reception area, waiting room and sanitation all on the ground floor to allow access. Some office space for admin support staff is also needed.
- The Doctors’ financial situation has changed in that the PCT are unable to provide any increased notional rent for any new building. The move must therefore be cost neutral to the NHS.
- Without such new premises, they would be unable to provide medical services to the many new residents arising from the proposed development.
- Despite several discussions regarding support that Linden homes proposes to offer the Doctors, with land and development costs, the Doctors have received no written confirmation. They cannot therefore support the Hampshire Farm application as it stands.
- Baptist Church application – In principal the ERA support the application which is of great significance to Emsworth. Views expressed by local residents vary from a brick shed like appearance to a superb focal building. Both functional and architectural excellence must be achieved, in keeping with its pivotal position in the town. My thanks to Katherine, Patrick and Minister Dane Baker for explaining, showing and listening to us this evening.
The common theme for the next items is cost cutting…
- Bus Passes or Concessionary Fares Last week, together with about 50 users and stakeholders, I attended 6/9 HCC-hosted public forum to learn the current situation and future options. Mark Miller, independent transport planner facilitated on behalf of HCC.
- Bus passes try to achieve:
- Accessibility across all England, rural and urban
- Low income transport options
- Green agenda
- Active lifestyle for the elderly
- England’s statutory minimum can only be changed by an Act of Parliament (over 60’s & disabled over 5 years: 09.30 – 23.00 M-F, all day weekends & BH’s).
- discretionary extras paid by Local Councils include such things as extension to hours, community transport, vouchers/tokens for taxis, trains and buses. A CC contractor analyses & determines reimbursement to transport operators. Budgets are assessed on a per capita living basis, but not for visitors. This formula is being challenged in a couple of Court cases, especially in tourist areas. HCC currently subsidises bus operators to tune of £8M.
- Funding: Currently across Hampshire, 65% take-up with 193K passes. Minimum cost is £12.5M – £14.4M average – £17M for utopia. HCC is looking for 12% scheme efficiencies.
- It was announced on 1 April that basic eligibility will change to equalise with men’s retirement on a sliding scale by 2020.
- CC’s are taking all concessionary fares funding from District Councils to achieve economies of scale and will decide strategy, policy and funding powers.
- Timescales are aggressive:
- New scheme to be determined by Oct 2010
- Cabinet Paper to be published in Dec 2010
- Up and running by 1 April 2011
- Discretionary extras may be allowed to stay, but CC funding level won’t be known until Dec. HCC & Cabinet will decide what’s affordable.
- We were invited to submit priorities and the best way to apply for and issue bus passes (Co-op, Library, Post Office, online). Our priorities: pre-09.30 start and to retain tokens/vouchers.
- The consultation form will be on the ERA website for online completion. Please have your say before end-August. See www.hants.gov.uk “consultation for buses”.
- Emsworth Library rumours -£1.3M cost cutting in Hampshire. In fact, the libraries themselves are not at risk. The 1st phase of reducing the libraries budget is to trim staffing levels in some libraries. The 2nd phase is to look at what savings can be made to the mobile library service. The 3rd phase is to look at what savings can be made at HCC library headquarters. Thanks to Ray Bolton for establishing these facts.
- Emsworth Sorting/Collecting Office. Vendy Treagust – initiated the survey for a project as part of her Community Engagement and Governance degree course with Gloucestershire University because she became aware it was under threat. 34 entries online in 2 week period in May/June revealed: people want Royal Mail to consult with public if we risk losing it; not a major impact, but driving to Havant may change shopping habits.
- Cllr Mike Cheshire is HBC portfolio holder for Community Groups. 12 August at HBC – I’m meeting again. He asks what 3 priorities does the ERA have this year. HBC CB review meeting in October to collate and discuss. Ideas?
Good things going on:
- Civic and Thorney pride was demonstrated on St George’s Day and the regiment’s Medal Parade. Next year we’re planning a music festival with active schools participation as part of St George’s celebrations.
- The bus shelter in the Square – this War Memorial needs refurbishing or replacing. Major Chris Hallam has already offered military people to survey and come up with options.
- Also in the square – a flag pole is being considered by EBA.
- The ERA sponsorship of the Eastern boat project – £350 paid to EBA for maintenance and planting.
- Waysides going from strength to strength – good Council co-operation. Better than unco-ordinated attempts at Dudley Local Authority…
- New, energetic local Police initiatives from Sgt Darren Osgood. Get to know PCSO Richard Thompson and WPC Clare Proudfoot.
- Projects for children of all ages
- The Washington Road underpass (£1,000 in principal match-funding donation from ERA, subject to planning and flooding issues being auctioned
- SPRIG update by Sarah Thompson…
- ERA Logo competition with Emsworth Schools starting in September.
- ERA membership (in practice, everyone’s a member) and subscriptions – At £1 per household per year/£4 for 5 years is superb value but we have lack of collectors, and cold calling is increasingly difficult. For the last 3 years, subscriptions have been on a downward trend so we have to find new ways of raising funds.. meanwhile… donations in Richard’s bucket, please!
Dates for residents’ diaries:
- Thursday, 9th September – Hampshire Farm DMC
- Saturday, 14th August – Police – Community Involvement Day at the Syrch Centre, Spencers Field, North Emsworth
- 28 Aug – 1 September – Emsworth Artists Annual Summer Exhibition here at the ECA
- Monday, 30th August Bank Holiday – Emsworth Horticultural Show ERA stand jointly with ECA