Hayling Island Residents Association
Chairman's Report
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
As reported by Brenda Greenland, outgoing Treasurer and Membership Secretary, our finances have had a rather flat year. We plan to visit lapsed members and those due for a renewal, if only to ensure that former members are still alive and living on Hayling! We could still do with quite a few more members and I am sure they are out there – getting to them is the problem. It is here that all of you could be helpful, by encouraging friends and neighbours to join. Members are reminded that the membership year starts on 1st September.
We are now looking for a new Treasurer, as well as for help in the membership area, although we are happy to say that we have a Planning Officer and a Minutes Secretary, as well as other active committee members – more always welcome
I should like to touch briefly upon matters with which the Association has involved itself during the past year.
Once again I shall divide these up into four areas, with the acronym of EPIC – environment, planning, issues and community.
ENVIRONMENT
The development of Eastoke Corner continues to be a major concern. Phase 2, which was the redesigned road layout and parking arrangements, has been postponed indefinitely and there is a major debate about the use of the outstanding amount designated for the area, mainly being conducted by Terry Worrall, chairman of the HICB and Councillor Briggs, leader of HBC. There is also still doubt about the North Hayling Circular Walk, these being the last of the Hayling Liveability projects to be completed.
Flooding and sea defences also continue to be major concerns, with a number of meetings, but with apparent progress and extra funding for work in specified areas, although now postponed until 2012/13. Concerned Northney residents have been given guidelines about improving defences, but no promised funding.
The Seafront Masterplan seems to have been put on the back burner and now absorbed within the Core Strategy, the subject of the July Open Meeting.
Amongst other environmental issues which have affected us are those of the repaving and roadworks on Fishery Lane, but some are unhappy that the north section near Rails Lane remains without pavement; the welcome reduction in graffiti, but an increase in litter and dog-fouling, which the new wardens seem unable to cope with; the successful application for Village Green status for Mengham Park, supported by HIRA; the MacCarthy and Stone development on the Seafront; the demolition of the kiosk on the seafront and last, but not least, the refurbishment of the HIRA noticeboard in Mengham Precinct. HIRA has formally become a Friend of Chichester Harbour.
A number of other environment-related issues are referred to in the Community section to follow.
PLANNING
We have of course been vigilant in our scrutiny of planning proposals, both individual projects and the bigger issues contained within the recently completed Local Plan, superseded by the Local Development Framework and now the Core Strategy, upon which we have made our views felt. This proposed 300 greenfield site dwellings on Hayling, not counting windfall or infilling developments, at least for the first five years and to which we have sent in our objections.
However, there has been little activity in this area of late, reflecting the economic climate.
The main planning items considered included the delayed development of the Tesco site in Havant, now to be opened in December; the continuing Rose in June controversy, where both HIRA and HICB have expressed their opposition to the development, wishing to retain this strategic site for the benefit of the community. Other proposed or completed developments upon which we have expressed our views were: the ongoing battle over the site off Bound Lane, with three different applications now having been submitted; the development of one of the properties in Norfolk Crescent, which has given rise to some optimism for the future of this heritage structure; the delayed development of the Rainbow site by a Housing Association, where we are anxious to see the quality of design in this important site. We note that the Council can now issue 215 Order Notices to enforce action on sites left derelict
ISSUES
Other subjects which we have discussed and expressed our views to the appropriate authorities about, include: the issue of a Town Council for Hayling, with the Committee in favour of progressing the idea – we are now in talks with HBC about the way forward; the new independent pharmacy in Mengham and Alan Priddy’s initiative about breakwaters on the Eastoke Peninsula, as well as an improved ferry service. Other issues that we have been considering are: the leisure bridge crossing for Langstone Harbour, which only meets obstacles from the authorities; the controversial changes to the bus routes; safety on Ferry Road; the closure of the older group’s Youth Café night at the Sports Centre, now relocated to the Elim Church; continued support for the idea of an ambulance station on the Island; the Northney telephone box; support for Police Community Consultation and speeding on certain roads on the Island continues to be a problem. Our January Public Meeting was on the subject of Water, with the controversial subject of fluoridation being an important feature, the Southampton area deciding to go down this road, following consultation.
COMMUNITY
Now that the work of the Community Board in deciding how to spend the £3m+ Liveability Fund money has come to a close, the Community Board is finding its way in a new environment and with new members. Since the MTI and HICB share many similar aims, there have been suggestions of closer liaison.
HIRA is well represented on the new Community Board, since both Tony Higham and I are amongst the 15 members of the Board
Other community issues that we have considered include: Hayling’s Best Market Town Initiative, responsible for the third Scarecrow Festival, the Windowspotting Competition, the very successful Discover Hayling Exhibition at the Newtown, progress towards a new Youth Centre at Hayling College and the popular Playing on the Plaza. We welcome the re-development of the Library, including a new community room, with Hayling’s share of lottery money. We noted the new signboard at Eastoke Corner; the establishment of the Hayling Trader magazine; the ambitious plans for the re-development of the Bridge Centre and the new ownership of the Inn on the Beach, with much improved facilities.
Young people on the Island are ably represented on the HIRA committee and we are continuing to support the Hi Y Café, which is prospering. The April Open Meeting was entitled ‘Young People Concern and was well attended, with some good speakers.
We welcome the appointment of HBC MD Sandy Hopkins to also run S.E. Hants Council.
Committee members represented HIRA at a number of meetings and seminars on issues vital to the future of the Island. HBC keep us pretty well informed on important matters and we have regular correspondence and meetings with other local RAs.
We are planning a full programme of important and relevant subjects for Open Meetings in 2009. Let us hope that they are well attended.
I should also like to thank Tony Higham for his excellent articles in the Hayling Islander, which I am sure we all read with great interest.
In conclusion, I wish to thank all the members of the committee for their work during the year and the councillors for their support. I should also like to encourage new members to join the association, so that we can make an increasing contribution to the Island’s future.
Paul Fisher
Chairman, HIRA
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