Spring 2016 Edition - Denmead Parish Council

brought to you by DENMEAD PARISH COUNCIL
Spring 2016
www.denmeadparishcouncil.co.uk
No 127
Nature Reserves and the Parish Council
Amongst the Parish Council’s landholdings are two small nature reserves – The Wetlands which adjoins Harvest Field and
Rookwood Field adjoining Rookwood View and bounded on the other side by a stretch of Wayfarer’s Walk which can be
entered either via Cemetery Lane or Park Road.
Both of these Reserves have restricted access in the interests of Nature Conservation since unlimited footfall tends to be bad
for both flora and fauna. However they can be viewed from their boundaries.
The Parish Council’s Landscape Team has recently completed a schedule of
works on Rookwood Field including reinstating the viewing bays along the
Wayfarer’s Walk so that anyone interested can take the opportunity to sit and
view the wildlife. Amongst the recent improvements have been a number of new
bird, insect and bat boxes and we hope they will become occupied this Spring.
It will be interesting to note what wildflowers are visible too. Have any of the
fritillaries survived since they were first planted in the 1990s?
Anyone wishing to make a particular study of local wildlife may apply to the Clerk
for permission to visit and study these sites.
Rookwood Nature Reserve
The Willow Dome – a Living Playspace
Close by the Harvest Field Wetlands lies the Willow Dome
and Maze. This was the original brainchild of Liz Williams
and she and the Denmead in Bloom group have, over the
years, brought to life her original concept of a Living
Playspace. There is a central ‘house’ for playing in with a
series of arches and tunnels around. Every spring the
group descend upon the area to prune and train the
different coloured willows into the beautiful structures we
now have in Harvest Field ready for the brilliant bright green
of the new willow shoots. I know I have spotted black,
yellow and reddish brown stems but there may be others as
well.
It is hoped to install a picnic bench or other seating in this area so that people can fully utilise this living playspace. If anyone
would like to help with funding this project please contact the Clerk. If you would like to help with maintaining the Willow
Dome itself please contact Liz Williams and Denmead in Bloom who are always looking for extra volunteers.
Many thanks Liz for your original concept and your hard work in bringing it to fruition.
Cllr Felicity Hull
Parish Council Meetings March 2016 – June 2016
Unless indicated otherwise, all meetings begin at 7:30pm at the Community Centre
All meetings are open to members of the public and include a public session
Council
Mar 16
Apr 16
6th
May 16
18th
Jun 16
29th
Finance & Admin
(Wed)
Amenities
(Wed)
Highways & GP
(Wed)
Planning
(Wed)
Foot Paths
Sub Comm
(Tues)
16th
2nd
23rd
9th, 30th
29th
27th
13th
25th
8th
Sports
Users Mtg
(Thu) (Pavilion)
20th
4th
11th
15th
1st, 22nd
7th
24th
For more information about the work of Denmead Parish Council, for copies of agendas
and minutes, visit its website at www.denmedparishcouncil.co.uk
The Chairman’s Corner….
In the last edition I wrote about higher level councils being capped and having to drop services. Before you even had a chance
to read that article, Hampshire County Council (HCC) sent every parish council a questionnaire asking us how we would prefer
them to handle reductions in grass cutting, street lighting, and footpath weed killing. It looks like we will be seeing the
predicted cutbacks sooner than I anticipated.
One of the options was to switch off most of the street lights between midnight and six in the morning.
Quite how the village will view this idea is difficult to know. People have complained to us in the past that
there is insufficient street lighting in the village, whilst others have complained that there is too much
lighting. The installation of the new, more efficient, lamp posts over the last few years has seen
appreciation from local astronomers that the light pollution has fallen, but some have found the new lights
to be ‘too white’. The amount of lighting was but one of the many matters occupying more than half of your
Parish Councillors in late December and throughout the whole of January. We were examining, discussing,
and consulting on the Planning Application for Kidmere, the largest of the development sites allocated by
your Neighbourhood Plan. In the last Council Meeting of January your Planning Committee voted unanimously to raise a
strong objection to the plans as put forward by the developer. By the time you read this the outcome of this application will be
known.
Last year your Parish Council stood for (re)election for another standard four year term. As a result of
three members not standing again, and no new people coming forward, only ten names went into the
hat and so we were elected unopposed and three short. We managed to co-opt two new members
over the subsequent six months, but also lost one member who chose to resign. This meant we went
into 2016 with only eleven members out of thirteen. I am happy that during January we not only
received applications from two new members of the public, but that both were women. If they are
accepted at the next full council then by the time you read this we will not only have a full complement
of councillors, but we will have five women amongst us – the highest number in the nine years I have
been on the council.
th
On 15 March 2016 we will be holding the Annual Parish Assembly (APA) in the Ashling
Pavilion in Ashling Park. This meeting is one of the few meetings that the Parish Council must
have annually by law. It is your opportunity to come along and meet your Parish Councillors,
hopefully with a full complement of thirteen! Refreshments at the APA will be served by the
young members of Denmead Activity Nights (DAN) – our Monday and Tuesday evening youth
club for 8 to 13 year olds. Wednesday night is our club for 13-18 year olds.
Cllr Kevin Andreoli
Denmead Film Nights
at the Community Centre
Film Nights at the Denmead
Community Centre bring great film
screenings to your local area. Typically
the last Saturday of each month, the
Centre shows a popular high-quality
and independent film to the local
community. Equipped with a large
screen, high-quality projector and
sound system, plus comfortable seats,
enhanced acoustics, disabled access
and a hearing loop, we extend a
warm and friendly welcome to all, plus
ample free parking.
Why not come and join us and have a fun night out with the people
from your local community? Tickets, which cost just £5.00
(discounts for members), are available on the door, but are best
booked in advance through the Centre Office or can be reserved by
phone or email.
Late spring films include ‘The Lady in the Van’ starring Dame
Maggie Smith on the 19th March and on the 30th April ‘In the Heart
of the Sea’ - this real-life maritime disaster which inspired the book
‘Moby Dick’.
R Bainbridge MBE
Flooding
Denmead Parish has varying degrees of flooding most winters. The predominant soil
is clay and once it becomes saturated with rainwater any further precipitation leads to
'surface water' running off the land. Water that soaks into the ground will raise the
water table. If the water table gets high enough this 'ground water' will eventually seep
out of the ground. It is predicted that due to climate change winters will become wetter.
Developers, such as for Carpenters Fields, will have to provide systems to manage
30% more rainfall than at present.
The ideal method to manage excess water is to hold it in the soil or winter ponds,
balancing ponds and ditches allowing it to slowly run off into rivers and ultimately the
sea. This decreases the risk of flooding. The ability to regulate the water flow depends
on a number of factors including how heavy the rainfall is, the volume of ponds and the
size of the ditch system. All new buildings, since they are an impermeable surface,
have to demonstrate how they will manage the water that they 'prevent' from soaking into the ground.
Rainwater is a valuable commodity and can be stored for use not only in gardens but also as the water source for lavatories
and washing machines. This not only reduces 'run off' but will also decrease metered water bills.
Ditches
Under common law you are the riparian owner of any watercourse both within, and
adjacent to, the boundaries of your property. If your land boundary runs next to a ditch
then it is assumed that you own land up to the centre of the watercourse. If there is a
ditch between your property and a road it is likely that you own both banks and are
responsible for the maintenance of the whole ditch. (The majority of highways are
constructed via a dedication of land by landowners, meaning that the soil
beneath the highway remains in the ownership of the landowner.)
Your responsibilities include maintaining the ditch so that water can flow freely through
it. There should be no obstruction, and litter or vegetation should be cleared.
Good ditch maintenance is the key to flood prevention. Ditches not only carry water
from farmland, residential and industrial areas, and roads, to the rivers, but they
provide essential water storage area at peak rainfall periods. Landowners should
attend to the removal of silt and excessive weed and vegetation on a regular basis. Further information can be obtained at
www3.hants.gov.uk/landowners-flood-risk-guidanceleaflet.pdf
Cllr Carolyn Hargreaves
Denmead has some quiet rural lanes, but unfortunately, this sometimes attracts fly tipping.
Not only is this unsightly and anti-social, but it can also contain hazardous or dangerous
items. It is illegal to fly tip with a potential of up to £50,000 in fines in addition to a maximum
prison sentence of two years.
Bulky items from domestic properties such as furniture, cookers, fridges and other items of
waste can be taken to a Local Household Waste Recycling centre free of charge.
Fly tipping is removed from public land and highways by either Winchester City Council or
Hampshire County Council. Winchester City Council cannot accept responsibility for fly
tipping on private property - it is up to the land owner to arrange removal.
To report an incident of fly tipping please contact the WCC Environment Team on 0300 300 0013. If the fly tipping is blocking
the road please contact Hampshire County Council. Alternatively, report it to the Parish Office, with details of the type of
material tipped and the location. If you witness fly tipping, please try to record as many details as you can including a vehicle
registration number.
Advice and information on a range of issues, including benefits and welfare rights, consumer, employment and housing rights,
money and debt are available from the Citizens Advice Bureau.
An Outreach Service for Denmead operates every Thursday from The Old School, School Lane, Denmead between 1 – 3pm.
No appointment necessary. The service is free, confidential, impartial and independent.
The service is funded with support from Denmead Parish Council.
Surgeries:
A reminder that you can meet your County and District Councillors at local surgeries held between 10.00am - 12 noon on the
first Saturday of every month, in The Heath Room, All Saints Church. No appointment necessary.
Reproduced with kind permission of St John Ambulance
Peace and Goodwill to all?
Christmas and New Year have now long gone, but sadly not everyone experienced peace and goodwill to all men, or women.
Domestic incidents are the only identified incident type that each year shows a significantly higher level of reporting in the runup to Christmas and New Year. On average over the past ten years, twenty per cent more domestic incidents have been
reported in December than in a similar period earlier in the year.
The financial pressures of Christmas, spending time with distant relatives - or even close relatives that are usually at
work/school/college - or simply the desire to give your family the best Christmas ever, can all add to the tension at home.
Now we are well into the New Year, the domestic abuse can potentially continue. Research shows that someone being
subjected to domestic abuse is likely to experience thirty five separate incidents before calling the police. Many victims of
domestic abuse are reluctant to help the police in pursuing criminal cases against violent partners, or even seek help at all. In
nearly a quarter of the cases reported to police, these are repeat offences.
New measures were introduced to provide an enhanced criminal justice service in high risk cases to make sure that more is
done now, to prevent repeat victims of the future. This includes providing enhanced victim care and pursuing cases to court
wherever possible, even when a victim may change their mind about supporting a complaint.
There are often many reasons why victims are reluctant to prosecute the perpetrator. For example, they may fear that their
actions will exacerbate a violent situation and increase the danger they face. Although this poses significant challenges for the
police, it is vital that everything is done to protect domestic abuse victims and help them break the cycle of abuse.
The police understand that victims are frequently most at risk from a coercive and controlling partner when they seek help, or
try to end a relationship. Through this joint approach with the CPS the Police will make sure that victims are well supported,
right from the moment they first call to the conclusion of a trial. They will also prosecute cases wherever they can in order to
help survivors of domestic abuse break the cycle of violence against them.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from domestic abuse, do speak out. Visit the Hampshire & IOW Domestic Abuse Forum
website www.hampshiredomesticabuse.org.uk to find out about local services and where to go for help and advice. Do not
suffer in silence. If you do not want to get involved but suspect someone is suffering from domestic abuse, you can call
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Just tell us what you know, not who you are.
Remember – if you have information about ANY crime, please do not hesitate to give Crimestoppers a call on 0800 555111 or
log on to www.crimestoppers-uk.org when you can also give information anonymously. If you are tweeting, please follow me
@HantsCrimestopp
Community Speedwatch
Residents monitor the speed of passing traffic
In April last year I wrote that we were trying to get a Community
Speedwatch programme up and running. Working with Hampshire
Constabulary, I am pleased to report that a group of volunteers has been
trained and is now working around the village on a regular basis.
Speeding is cited by many residents as the number one problem in the
village but the police have very limited resources available and are
increasingly relying on ‘Community Speedwatch’ type groups of
volunteers to help keep our neighbourhoods safe.
Since the group started the Speedwatch programme in Denmead, they
have reported over 100 speeding vehicles to the Police. Those vehicles
are now recorded onto the police database and will receive penalty
points and a fine if they are caught speeding again.
Interestingly, the highest speed the group report recording was a
ridiculous 57 miles per hour. They have recorded this speed twice
although one was a legitimate speed as it was an ambulance on a call.
The other driver however, has no excuse!
The volunteers give an hour or two of their time each month, and advise
that lots of people say what a good job they are doing as they walk or jog
past. If you have an hour to spare, the team would welcome new
volunteers, just contact the Parish Clerk who will put you in touch with
the co-ordinator at Hampshire Constabulary.
In a further attempt to remind people not to speed in our village, we
purchased some speed warning stickers. The stickers go on wheelie
bins and, each Wednesday, we hope they will act as a timely reminder to
watch your speed.
If you would like stickers for your bins, please call the Parish Clerk on 02392 247947 or drop into the Parish Office at
Denmead Community Centre, The Old School in School Lane.
Cllr Paula Langford-Smith
Hampshire County Council News
Proposed Cuts
The County Council's Revenue Support Grant has been cut by £48 million next year - which is a decrease of 37.4% and £29
million more than the Authority was anticipating. The significant reduction is due to a change in the way that the Government
distributes money to local authorities. In addition, by 2019/20, the County Council will no longer receive any Revenue Support
Grant. The County Council will set the budget and Hampshire Council tax for 2016/17 in February, although the
Government's financial plans assume that all local authorities will put up their Council tax by the maximum they are allowed,
which for Hampshire would be 3.99% and would include an extra 2% flexibility in order to pay for the increasing costs of social
care.
Combined Authority
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight's devolution proposals are set out in a prospectus submitted to Central Government on
behalf of fifteen councils, two Local Enterprise Partnerships and two National Park Authorities. The bid also received the
support of Hampshire Constabulary and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. Hampshire and the Isle of Wight's proposals
focus around four key themes: boosting business and skills for work; accelerating housing delivery; investing in infrastructure
and transforming public services.
Until Central Government confirms what it would award to Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, it is not possible to say what
structure the devolved arrangement may take. However, rather than creating a new layer of Government, the aim is to bring
existing decision making powers from Whitehall down to a local level. Furthermore, the partners would work to deepen
devolution locally, and seek opportunities for district and parish councils to take on extra functions and develop services with
communities.
Highways Update
From October to April, all 51 vehicles are on standby 24/7. Road conditions, weather, wind speed, rainfall and air
temperatures are continuously monitored and all community salt bins are now filled. Residents can follow @Hantshighways
on Twitter to see updates on road salting. Further information about salting routes, maps and community salt bins is available
at www.hants.gov.uk/roads/weather-on-roads
Highways statistics for the month of last December show that across Hampshire 611 potholes were repaired; 1,000 drainage
jobs were completed; 401 square metres of footway patching were completed and 7,975 gullies and catchpits were cleared.
Highways Success
Hampshire County Council has maintained its position as one of the best performing County councils when it comes to
highways maintenance, coming top amongst the South East county councils in a national survey of residents' satisfaction with
a range of highways services. The County Council has taken part in the survey since it started in 2008, one of only 26
authorities to do so. One hundred authorities took part in England and Scotland this year, the most since the survey began.
The average response rate for this year's survey was just over 22%. A total of 67,465 members of the public responded to the
NHT's 12 page questionnaire on Highway & Transport issues this year, making it the most comprehensive survey of public
views in this sector. Nearly half a million members of the public have responded to the survey in the past eight years.
Health Update
Alcohol consumption is the third highest risk factor for avoidable ill health and in 2013 there were 6,592 alcohol-related deaths
registered in England. An estimated 24% of Hampshire residents drink at above the safe recommended levels for alcohol
each week, which represents about 257,000 people across the County, or one in five people. About 40,000 people in
Hampshire are “high risk drinkers” or dependent on alcohol.
Be Sugar Smart
Did you know that 4 to 10 year olds consume an estimated 5,500 sugar cubes a year (22kg), weighing the
same as an average five-year-old child. In Hampshire, one in five children entering school is overweight or
obese, and by the age of 10 to 11 years this rises to almost one in three. Statistics show that our children
are consuming three times more sugar than the recommended maximum daily amount - the biggest source
is sugary drinks - so it's really important to help parents and carers see exactly where the sugar in their
children's diet is coming from, so they can choose how to cut down. The Sugar Smart app is available for
free to download now from itunes or Google Play.
The recommended sugar guidelines for children are:
•Children aged 4 to 6 years old should not have more than 19g of added sugar per day - that's 5 cubes (based on 4g sugar
cubes).
•Children aged 7 to 10 years old should have no more than 24g per day - that's 6 cubes (based on 4g sugar cubes)
•From 11 years up, children should have no more than 30g per day - that's 7 cubes (based on 4g sugar cubes).
•No more than 5 per cent of people's (from 2 years old and above) daily energy intake should come from sugar. This is a
halving of the old recommendation.
In 2013/14, the percentage of overweight and obese children in Year R in Hampshire was 20.8% compared to England at
22.5%. The proportion of children who are overweight and obese rises as they grow older. 28.9% (2013/14) of Year 6 children
are overweight and obese, compared to the England figure of 33.5%.
Hambledon Flood Alleviation Update
Good progress is being made with Hambledon’s flood alleviation scheme and, even as you read this
newsletter, the B2150 may have re-opened. However, traffic will be subject to lowered speed limits
and temporary traffic lights may be in use.
Patricia Stallard, County Councillor for Winchester Southern Parishes
Denmead Youth Partnership – Christmas Tea and Celebration
On the afternoon of Monday 21st December we welcomed a number of the older
generation together with members’ families to the Ashling Pavilion to partake of
a sumptuous afternoon tea whilst watching our Christmas Celebration.
Tea consisted of a variety of elegant little sandwiches, scones and cakes washed
down with plenty of tea prepared and served by staff and club members. We are
very grateful to Cllr Neil Rusbridger for his help and watchful eye in the kitchen
making sure that everything was up to scratch before it left the kitchen.
Entertainment revolved round the Nativity and a short pantomime. The Afternoon was compered by Jack Oliver and there were
a number of excellent supporting singing and dancing numbers.
The Nativity had been scripted from Mary’s point of view by club members after discussion as to what life had been like then
and linked it to refugees in all ages. Mary was played by Bekah Stevens. Traditional carols were included and sung by
everyone – the audience probably being more familiar with them than the children!
Snow White was a short rendition of the traditional pantomime led by the young leaders and staff.
The 2016 Christmas tea is on Monday 19 December when we hope to welcome even more of you
Cllr Felicity Hull
Can you drive a minibus? Are you available on a Monday or Tuesday evening?
Volunteer drivers are required to pick up children from Wellington Park and drop them off
at the Monday and Tuesday Youth Evenings at the Ashling Pavilion in Denmead.
Times: Pick up at 5.30pm. Return at 8.00pm.
Contact The Clerk for more details
My name is Brendan Gibbs and I am the new Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator for Denmead.
I have taken over this role at the invitation of Mr Brian Turner. Brian was for many years the
prime focus of the Neighbourhood Watch schemes in Denmead. I sincerely hope I can rise to
the challenge of continuing the fine work that Brian undertook for this community over many
years of total commitment.
As part of my initial involvement with the organisation I arranged for a meeting of the existing
neighbourhood watch schemes in Denmead on the 20th of January 2016.
On what was a bitterly cold evening I was pleased to see representatives of schemes throughout
Denmead meet the local Neighbourhood Police team led by Sgt Stuart Gilmour with support from
PCSO Rebecca Williams and PCSO Steve Sharpe.
Sgt Gilmour spoke about the priorities his team would be focusing on in Denmead throughout
2016. These were to further reduce dwelling and non-dwelling burglaries in the area (starting from a very low figure in any case).
The team also hoped to reduce anti-social behaviour (again the current reported figures are very low) and to further reduce
vehicle crime where possible.
The message with vehicle crime is to ensure your vehicle is locked at all times. This simple measure will reduce the risk of a car
break-in by a significant percentage.
If you are interested in finding out about the Neighbourhood Watch Schemes in your street then please feel free to contact me
via email to [email protected]
As Shaw Taylor might have said "Keep 'em peeled!"
Brendan Gibbs.
Healthy Walks
The popular summer healthy walks will begin again on 10 May with each walk starting at
7.30pm. These will be held each week until the first week of August. The walks will be held on
either a Tuesday or Thursday evening.
Why not join in, take some gentle exercise, meet new friends, and finish off with a drink in a
local pub. Please visit the Parish Council website for details of the day and starting venue for
each walk.
Brendan Gibbs
Parish Council of Denmead
Parish Council
Of Denmead
Postal Address
The Old School,
School Lane, Denmead,
Hampshire: PO7 6LU
Tel: (023) 9224 7947 Fax:
(023) 9224 7943
Office Opening Hours
Monday to Friday
9:30am to 1:00pm
Afternoons by appointment
The Parish Office is closed on Saturdays,
Sundays and Bank Holidays
All Council correspondence to be addressed to
The Clerk to the Council
Web http://denmeadparishcouncil.co.uk
Denmead Parish Councillors
Cllr. Kevin ANDREOLI Chairman of the Parish Council, Chairman of
Finance Administration & Personnel, Chairman of Planning
Cllr Ian BROWN
Email addresses:
Tony Daniells (Clerk)
[email protected]
Kelvin Andrews (Deputy Clerk)
[email protected]
Jennie Hanman (Responsible Financial Officer)
[email protected]
Debbie Cooper (Committee Clerk)
[email protected]
Contact Details
6 The Meadow, Denmead, PO7 6YJ. Tel: 9243 1429
Hazelwood, Forest Road, Denmead. PO7 6UE Tel: 9225 5979
Meadow Farm Cottage, Worlds End, PO7 4QU Tel: 9225 4459
Cllr. Carolyn HARGREAVES
Cllr. Felicity HULL
Seymour Cottage, Forest Road, Denmead, PO7 6UA Tel: 9226 1977
High Trees, Thompsons Lane, Denmead, PO7 6NB. Tel: 9225 1484
Cllr. Neil LANDER-BRINKLEY
Cllr. Paula LANGFORD-SMITH Vice-Chairman of the Council,
Hazelwood, Forest Road, Denmead. PO7 6UE Tel: 9225 5979
Chairman of Highways & G P
Cllr Stef NIENALTOWSKI
11 Little Corner, Denmead, PO7 6XL Tel: 9225 9879
Cllr Neil RUSBRIDGER
44 Maple Drive, Denmead, PO7 6QQ Tel: 9226 4416
Cllr Ken SCHOLEY Chairman of Amenities
65 Anmore Road, Denmead,PO7 6NT: Tel: 9225 2393
Cllr Gary WEST
St Elmo, Hambledon Road, Denmead, PO7 6PS Tel: 9225 3733
Cllr Mark WILLOUGHBY
21 Forest Mead, Denmead, PO7 6UU. Tel: 9236 8305
Vacancy
Vacancy
To contact any Councillor electronically, email [email protected] marked FAO Cllr …. In the subject field
Contact Details
County & District Councillors
Patricia STALLARD Cty/Dist Cllr.
Michael READ District Councillor
Kirk PHILLIPS District Councillor
High Trees, Thompsons Lane, Denmead, PO7 6NB Tel: 9225 1484 email: [email protected]
West Winds, Forest Road, Denmead, PO7 6UE Tel: 9225 7565 WCC email: [email protected]
Davaar, Forest Road, Denmead, PO7 6UE. Tel: 9225 0178 WCC Email: [email protected]
You are cordially invited to the
ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY
a meeting of the electorate of Denmead
on TUESDAY 15th MARCH 2016
starting at 7.30pm in the Ashling Pavilion
Look out for the agenda on the notice
boards
Light refreshments will be served
Flag Flying Days 2016
Mon
Thu
Sat
Fri
Sat
Tue
Sat
Thu
Fri
Fri
Sun
Mon
14 Mar Commonwealth Day
21 Apr Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen
23 Apr St George’s Day
10 Jun Birthday of The Duke of Edinburgh
11 Jun Official Celebration of HM’s Birthday
21 Jun Birthday of The Duke of Cambridge
25 Jun Armed Forces Day
15 Sep Battle of Britain Day
21 Oct Trafalgar Day
11 Nov Armistice Day *
13 Nov Remembrance Day *
14 Nov Birthday of The Prince of Wales
* The flag will be lowered at 11.00 am on Armistice Day and
Remembrance Day