More Liveabiity News

- Mon 20th Sep 2004

Board Meeting:

The first board meeting was held at the Bridge Centre on the 7th September and was well attended. We had five places to fill on the Board and all those in attendance who wished to be considered gave a short presentation along with two written applications who could not make this meeting. An election was carried out with the following being elected. Ian Perkins (Access Group) David Lown (N.E. Hayling Residents Association) Tony Higham (Resident) Peter McQuade (Hayling United FC) and last but certainly not least our volunteer from the Youth Sector who topped the poll on the night 16 year old Anna Murphy. Terry Worrall was elected Vice Chairman.



From discussion it appeared the most popular night for most members would be the First Tuesday of the month so this was carried, although Andy Lenaghan the Chairman would like them to be moved around the Island so all parts of the community can attend. This may prove to be more difficult than anticipated due to regular bookings at certain venues. I can be contacted on 02392 467469 or please watch the Islander, community notice boards or various Hayling Web sites regarding the venues. Tuesday 5 October 2004 at 7.30pm, at the Conservative Hut, Elm Grove.

Public Open Session (15 minutes)

a. Sheila Mealy asked whether there was any possibility of money from Europe being included. AL explained that European funding was probably beyond the scope of the Board but things could change. Terry Worrall commented that European funding might be included under the new Market Towns Initiative.
b. Colin Richards, N E Hayling Residents’ Association, suggested that the whole of Hayling Island be promoted as a candidate for the Village Design Statement initiative.
c. Charlie Goulding, Councillor for Hayling East, pointed out that it was important to note that Liveability funding was additional to/available over and above, money in Council budgets/short term capital programme.
d. Jan Gough, Age Concern, asked how the Community Boards dovetailed into the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), which had agreed at a Partnership Forum to set up Locality Forums. Enid Ashley explained that almost immediately after the Partnership Forum, the announcement that Havant’s Liveability Bid had been successful, had been made. The award of funding came with strict criteria to be met, one of which was a requirement for community consultation/involvement. All projects also had to be capable of being delivered by March 2006. In view of the short timescale therefore it had been agreed that Community Boards would be set up for the Liveability Programme and these Boards would afterwards continue as the consultation mechanism for the LSP which had been envisaged as Locality Forums.
e. Jan Gough asked how a Board of 15 members could be representative of a population of some 18,000. Andy Lenaghan explained that Board Members would be networking with groups; Board meetings were being advertised in the Hayling Islander and by notices placed at Community Centres etc around the island; and that members of the public had an opportunity to raise any issues/points of view at the 15 minute public open session at every meeting.
f. A member of the public asked how the Board would operate ie through questions in the public open session, or could members of the public communicate directly with members of the Board. Andy Lenaghan suggested both methods would be acceptable.
g. A comment was made by a member of the public that Hayling’s “shopfront” was its seafront, which was now tired. Promoting improvement of the footpath from Eastoke to Beachlands, and also a cycleway, were suggested.

7. Discussion/Identification of Open Spaces on Hayling Island

Richard Taylor explained the process for the submission of Havant Borough Council’s bid to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) for the Liveability Fund. The bid had had to show the Council’s commitment to service reforms for improvement of open spaces. Service reforms might include: urban wardens, better engagement with the community and improving open space standards across the borough. Service reforms had to be underway/carried out before capital funding for projects could be released. An indicative list of projects had been prepared and was included in the bid document.

A brainstorming session then followed to identify open space on Hayling Island.

8. Presentation on Open Spaces

Richard Taylor gave a presentation using an electronic learning module from the Improvement and Development Agency, to assist the Board in identifying and recognising a successful open space. Terry Worrall commented that when the Liveability funding had been spent, it was important to show that the Hayling Board had managed the process so well that the Council would allow Boards to continue to manage (spend) monies for their own areas.

9. Communicating the Work of the Board to Hayling Islanders

Andy Lenaghan asked Board Members for suggestions as to the best way of communicating the work of the Board to the Hayling community. It was agreed that:
a. there would be a regular Community Board report in the “Hayling Islander”. Action: AL
b. the Action Notes from Board Meetings would be placed on the Havant Borough Council website. Action: EA


Tuesday 5 October 2004 at 7.30pm, venue to be advised.

From discussion it appeared the most popular night for most members would be the First Tuesday of the month so this was carried, although Andy Lenaghan would like them to be moved around the Island so all parts of the community can attend. This may prove to be more difficult than anticipated due to regular bookings at certain venues. I can be contacted on 02392 467469 or please watch the Islander, community notice boards or various Hayling Web sites regarding the venues

By forum user, HIbot