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PORTCHESTER EAST & WEST WARD INCLUDING DOWNEND

NOV/DEC 2020 Newswww.farehamlibdems.org.uk Fareham’s Borough Plan

Fareham Borough Council has now produced its Local Plan based on the expected number of dwellings that the Government will agree in the near future, which depends upon Fareham delivering a minimum of 403 new homes a year up to 2037. The Plan, which was agreed at the Council meeting on 22nd October, will be going out for public consultation between 6th November and 18thDecember and covers all aspects of development within Fareham. This includes housing, employment and retail in addition to community facilities. Also included in the Plan are backup support documents for climate change, natural environment, transport and other infrastructure, design and historic environment. The Council recognise that not everybody is able to access the details of the Plan online. To help with this, they have set up a dedicated Local Plan Telephone Helpline - 01329 824601 - where you will be able to make an appointment to come into the Civic Offices to use a computer to access documents online. Your comments must be made in writing by midnight on 18th December and can be either emailed to [email protected] or by post to the Consultation Team, Fareham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Fareham PO16 7AZ. We are pleased that the proposed development at Romsey Avenue and the one west of Downend Road have both now been deleted from the Plan: we fully support this deletion. The only additional housing development for Portchester, beyond what is already known, is for 22 Park Homes to the west of Northfield Park in Upper Cornaway Lane. The planning application has been received by the Borough Council for Winnham Farm development which is east of Downend Road. This application will go through the usual planning process. This development is to provide up to 350 dwellings.

COUNCILLOR COUNCILLOR GERRY KELLY ROGER PRICE (County and Borough) 122 THE CROSSWAY PORTCHESTER 49 SISSINGHURST ROAD PO16 8NH PORTCHESTER PO16 9YB Tel: (02392) 363905 Tel: (01329) 280446 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Or [email protected]

L I BERAL DEMO CRAT S - We al w ays h ave ti me to l i sten to yo u

Page 1 Tesco Coastal Car P ark Charges

After a lot of uncertainty over the Fareham Borough Council has in principle agreed to charge in Co-op closing in Portchester all of its Coastal Car Parks, the charge will be £1 per hour. Precinct we are pleased to see RegardingHampshire Portchester County and the twoCouncil car parks at Portchester that Tesco is now taking over half Castle we opposed the introduction of any charges because of the original store size. this will put more parking pressure on Castle Street which At present we do not know the already has its own parking problems. precise opening date but they We strongly objected to the charging because of the affect have applied for the necessary these charges would have on those people attending planning alterations, one of which St Mary’s Church for Services including weddings and does include an ATM facility. They funerals. Also the detrimental effect that it will have on the have also applied for a liquor Portchester Sailing Club and its members. licence. Each car park will be advertised for the Traffic Regulation Order which introduces the charge and residents will then be able to make their comments known to the Council. COUNCIL MEETINGS Due to Covid19 restrictions, both LLOYDS BANK, PORTCHESTER Fareham Borough Council and Hampshire County Council are not The main Branch of Lloyds Bank at Fareham has closed for allowed to hold meetings with refurbishment, therefore they are keeping Portchester Branch people attending. Both Councils are open for the time being. In the latest email that we have holding all meetings on-line via received from Lloyds Bank they have not decided on a closure Microsoft “Teams” so that Members date for the Portchester Branch. can stay safe in their own homes. If you have any comments concerning the future of the If you wish, you can view any of Portchester Branch you could write to The Manager who is these meetings via the internet. Mark Brewster. You could suggest that they provide a mobile bank one day a week after the Branch closure.

MESSAGES FROM TWO OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS

JEAN KELLY ASHLEY BROWN [email protected] [email protected] Telephone 02392 363905 Telephone 01329 481126 With the longer nights very much here, after a At the beginning of this pandemic many people difficult year for our community, it can sometimes feel were determined to not let it beat them. We somewhat bleak. However as with all things there is carried on with life by phoning, texting and hope and we can all be inspired to make positive using social media to find an answer to the changes. growing problems of isolation and worries for ourselves and others. Something we found particularly uplifting this year was the seeming “bounce” our local wildlife enjoyed Here we are over half a year later and I during the quiet of lockdown. People spending more wonder how many of us are still positive, time walking, cycling and really reconnecting with our cheerful and motivated? It takes a tremendous beautiful local area. Hopefully, this may be one thing effort to do the simplest of tasks such as that sticks, bearing in mind climate change and cooking, cleaning and even walking the dog, mental well-being. when you have worries about jobs, money and not seeing family and friends. Isolation and Could we be achieving more locally to promote flora boredom are increasing. and fauna though, with some municipal greens and roundabouts being “rewilded” into flower meadows, Keeping in touch has never been so important. which are so important to butterflies and other We must not think that doctors haven’t got time invertebrates? I’d like to know if there is an appetite for our small worries; the doctor is there to for more “community meadows” or even “public help make sure the problem doesn’t get bigger orchards” instead of grass monocultures. Do let me when it may often be resolved. know if this is something you would support.

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Best G ard en Wi n n er Co u n ci l Su rg ery

This year We have decided to suspend our Council Fareham In Surgery due to Covid19 until the Spring of Bloom did not next year. In our next Newsletter we will take place due advise you when we intend to resume. to Covid19 but the Council In the meantime we have both been working organised a very hard from home, dealing with residents photograph emails and telephone calls and would remind competition you that if you have any issues you need our and in the Best help with, then please do not hesitate to Garden section it was won by Mr & Mrs Coates contact us. of Portchester as judged by the Council. We contratulate them both on having such a splendid garden as can be seen in the £19 MILLION FOR HAMPSHIRE photograph. Hampshire County Council has received £19 million from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund. There are 10 local transport GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION projects to be delivered by 2023. The issues that affect Portchester are: 1. Pedestrian and On 1st February 2022 Fareham Borough Council bus enhancements on the A27 at Portchester is to stop the use of sacks for the free collection district centre bus stop: 2. Pedestrian, cycle of green waste and introduce an optional, and bus priority measures on the A27 chargeable Wheelie Bin collection service. Fareham between Delme Arms and Downend This new service will be charged at £60 per year, Road. plus a cost of £34 for a 240 litre bin. The cost of We are not precisely aware of the works to be this bin will be halved if purchased in the first undertaken. This is being worked on, but as year. soon as we know we will inform you.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL FAREHAM EMERGENCY BUDGET TELEPHONE NUMBERS Fareham Council has had to approve an Hampshire County Council suspended all of its Emergency mid-year budget to cover the 0300 telephone numbers at the start of the Covid predicted £1.14 million deficit due to Covid19. issue in March of this year because staff were working from home. The cost of the pandemic to the Council has been £3.66 million and although receiving We are pleased to say that these numbers (as grants from Government it leaves the Council per our Calendar) are now up and running again. with a shortfall of £1.14 million which the Council needs to take from money held in reserve. FAREHAM SPECIAL GRANTS The Covid19 pandemic has had a significant EMAILS financial impact on the community and voluntary sector. Fareham Council is to set up a Special We would like to start a monthlyemail Grant Programme for these organisations. This Information Sheet of imminent issues will provide a quick and easy application process which would be of interest to residents. for a one-off payment of £250. For more Therefore, if you would like to be included on information, visit www.fareham.gov.uk/grants. the distribution list, please send us your email address.

L i b eral Demo crats - Wo rki n g fo r YO U al l year ro u n d Page 3 O u r Su mmer Su rvey F ern eh am Hal l

We would like to thank all the residents who Fareham Council consulted the public on the new completed our Summer Survey either by name for the old Ferneham Hall after it has been sending us the paper copy or going online. modernised and redeveloped and 49% of those You can see the full results of all of the who were consulted chose the name of “Fareham sections by visiting the Liberal Democrat Live” for this new arts and entertainment venue. webpage at www.farehamlibdems.org.uk A number of people wanted to see the name As an appetizer to the results in dealing Ferneham still linked to the new venue, therefore with the Coronavirus, on a maximum of 5, one of the rooms will incorporate this name. The you rated the NHS at 4.5, the Borough Council officers will come forward with Council at 3.2, and the Government at 2.8. suggestions for the naming of the individual rooms within the building which includes the 800 seat auditorium and the 120 seat theatre.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND CARBON REDUCTION PORTCHESTER LIBRARY Fareham Borough Council has agreed to go carbon neutral by 2030. So as to achieve The Liberal Democrat Group on Hampshire County this the first step was to calculate the Council did not support the changes that have Council’s carbon footprint and during the been made to the Library Service. It has reduced period 1st April 2019 to 31st March 2020 it the opening hours in forty libraries by an average was 3661.44 tCO2e. of 20% and the total closure of eight libraries. After calculating the carbon impact, work on the carbon reduction plan can now begin. It will outline the actions the Council will take in order to reduce its carbon footprint.

WICOR RECREATION GROUND At weekends there is very often a parking problem at the Ground. We have held a very useful and constructive meeting with officers of the Borough Council and representatives of Portchester AFC. Portchester AFC have agreed to employ marshals at the weekends to try and deal Portchester Library will now only be open at the with this issue. following times. Monday 10.00amto5.00pm Wednesday 10.00amto5.00pm FAREHAM MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK Friday 10.00amto5.00pm Fareham Council is to spend £5.5 million on Saturday 10.00amtoMidday the refurbishment of the Osborn Road multi- storey car park which was built in 1973. Despite ongoing maintenance the car park has a useful life of less than 2 years. The Working hard all project, which is anticipated to start in the Summer of 2021, will bring the building up year round for to modern standards, both in terms of its structural integrity and its appearance. PO RT CHEST ER Drivers will also benefit from wider spaces, improved lighting and better demarcation. EAST & W EST The Council hope to be able to keep the facility open while the work is being carried i n cl u d i n g out, although certain areas will be closed for DOWNEND short periods.

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