Minutes of the HIRA Meeting held on Tuesday 13th June at Sunnyside Hall

- Fri 30th Jun 2006

Matters Arising:
 
Bosmere Field:   Date for next planning decision not known.  The 
Development was subject to planning approval.  
The general opinion was that any development should be north of the A27.  
Still concern over access to site.

John Smith, recently elected as a Councillor, was welcomed by the Committee.  
He stated that his aim was to attend meetings of the Residents Association and the Community Board.

Bin Mountain   This has been resolved as the elderly can now contact the 
Council who will then deal with the removal.   
There had been some teething problems with concern that one bin might not be 
sufficient for some homes.  
Andy stated that extra bins were available for a one off  payment of £25.

Planning 
Kittiwake  -  Very little being done at the moment. Planning approved   

Fish Shop at West Town.  The question of the Flue emissions was  discussed.  

Planning permission had been given on the understanding that all necessary work was carried out
and all aspects relating to Health  and Safety complied with.

Community Board.

The meeting on Monday 12 June had covered safety and vandalism on the Island.
  
Liveability Fund. 
Andy reported on the state of various projects.
CCTV in place in Mengham Park.   Skate Park almost complete.
Lighting improvements at the MUGA to be completed.  
Circular Walk sign-posted and stiles changed to kissing gates.

Countryside Agency.  
Each of the six boards had their own symbols, with a symbol for Langstone, although it had no board.
   
Some contention over the signs 'Welcome to Hayling Island which   had been decided without enough consultation.

The car park at Langstone has been enlarged and resurfaced.

The money allowed for the Gateway "Artwork" had been diverted to the Eastoke Corner project:
Committee members thought it a mistake leaving this starting work until September as the work could run into the winter with extra costs for any delays due to the weather.  
Work in progress could have been an attraction for the holiday makers. 
Tony reported that contractors had not yet been approached.

There was a possibility that the Car Park at Eastoke would be operated on the same lines as Mengham.

Living Landmarks:

There were some reservations but the majority were in favour of  improving the Sea Front. 
It was generally agreed that discussions should go ahead  to keep the impetus going so that we were ready for the next bid in August.

A Project Manager could not be engaged until we knew the outcome of the next bid. 
Regeneration of parts of the Island were necessary with easy access to the beach for the disabled.

The view was that we should move forward but try to keep the Island  unspoilt.

M T I: Tony Higham has taken on the task of chairman and a Steering Committee had been formed.  Several ideas are forthcoming; Local Loyalty Card; Conan Doyle Trail and Neville Shute.  It was thought that these projects could be of interest to visitors.

A general discussion covered The Business Men's Club, Tourist Guides,
Langstone Harbour TV programme and operation of the Ferry which could be a community asset if promoted managed well.

Vandalism:

There had been a massive upsurge particularly in the Winsor Close area
with two cars torched.  John and Tony had visited residents of the close and it appeared that there were problem families with a couple of youngsters running  amok.

Video recordings had been made of stolen cars leaving the Close. 
The feeling  was that the situation was hopeless. 
The police had arrested two adult males who  were not local residents or youths.  

It is not possible to stop problem families coming to the Island as Housing Associations can buy accommodation anywhere.
There were no laws prohibiting private landlords buying up property.  The only
deterrent being non compliance with the health and safety aspects of the property.    

Paul summed up the situation as being problem families in the area with people
out of control and the police unable to do anything. 
He suggested that the next Open Meeting should be changed to cover Vandalism and invitations should be sent to David Willetts (MP), Ted Gale, a representative from the DHSS, the Hermitage Housing   Ass. and other interested persons.

A meeting of the Committee was arranged for the 4th July to formulate an Agenda
for the Open Meeting which would take place on July 20th.    

  Reporter:

Dissatisfaction was expressed over the format of the Islander. It was now being treated more as a tabloid newspaper than a community Forum.  
It was a great paper and we should preserve its quality. Paul would be having a meeting with the Editor and would  try to get more emphasis on Community events.
 A O B

 Don - He drew attention to the number of notices on the verges on the Havant Road.

 Paul - West Lane and removal of litter whilst work was carried out.

 Dale - Litter outside Coastguards Café.  Need for bird-proof litter bins.

 Tony- Space outside C CARS.  Area of community use - needs a clean up.

 John -On Panel for keeping the Borough clean.

 Chris - Footpath at Elm Grove.  
 Probation Office at Portsmouth were sending   a team to help with clearance. 
 There had been a positive response from   neighbours.

 Margo - Flats in Creek Road. 
 Washing out at the front lowered the tone of the area.
 She was trying to find the name of the owners to lodge a complaint

By forum user, PaulFisher