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 Parish Council Report
February's monthly Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council meeting (Monday
February 24) was packed with reports and information affecting all Parish
residents.
REPORT by Freddie Dawkins
Among the topics covered were:
- Developments on the future management of the Millennium Hall (now renamed
Millennium Centre)
- Traffic problems
- Youth Centre progress
- South Downs National Park bounndary changes proposed
and several other areas of concern
The Liphook Millennium Centre Management Committee (LMCMC) saga continues,
with objections from Parish Councillors on Monday night to one of the
newly-nominated community representatives. Because of her previous status as
a Trustee of the Hall, Mrs E Kamm cannot become a community representative
on the new Liphook Millennium Centre Management Committee. Mrs Kamm's
position will now probably be offered to someone who is a member of the
local community and retired, the aim being to be as socially inclusive as
possible with the committee, and with retired people being regular users of
the Centre. This follows earlier concerns by Mr John Ball, who at an earlier
LMCMC meeting, told Parish Councillors that he had a numnber of concerns
about accepting a position as a committee member for the Community.
It was agreed by the Parish Council on Monday night to accept the
nominations of Mr Simon Coyte, Mr M Gardner and Mr P Mcintyre
as co-opted members of the Committee.
Building defects at the Centre, mean that the Parish Council still cannot
take over legal ownership, and a recent inspection visit has thrown up a
number of problems with emergency lighting, blocked toilets, missing or
incorrect exit signage, fire separation infilling. Parish Councillors have
decided to pursue negotiations with current owners Sainsbury's, to have all
building defects corrected as soon as possible.
On a positive note, forward bookings for the Centre are increasing and the
Centre should be self-funding, with no further call on the Parish precept
for financial support.
Traffic concerns
Anyone driving through Liphook will know of the massively increased numbers
of cars which have been created by the opening of Sainsbury's and by the
large number of new dwellings which have been constructed and occupied in
recent years. Although there appears to be no co-ordinated approach to these
problems by the District Counil or Highways Agency, the Parish Council is
constantly seeking to imnprove condiitons and a group of Councillors
recently held a meeting with an East Hampshire District Countil officer. One
concern is the height and size of the road humps in Tower Road. These are to
be inspected and possibly remodelled.
There is also concern among residents and Councillors over some aspects of
street lighting around the village. Again, meetings have taken place and
advice sought from local Police representatives. The Parish's Highways,
Byways and Transport Committee is also attemnpting to secure financial
sponsorship from the Co-op, to pay for a twice weekly bus service from The
Square to the new Post Office within the Co-op store in Headley Road. This
in in response to concerns that moving the PO from Alldays to the Co-op has
made life difficult for those with mobility problems.
Youth Centre progress
The proposed new Youth Centre, which will be situated within the old Tennis
Club building at the Recreeation Ground, is almost ready to open, with most
building work now completed. Funding was secured by the Parish Council some
time ago and the Centre will be staffed by trained volunteers, assisted by
professional Hampshire Council youth workers. The Parish Council want to
take a "light touch" approach to management of the Centre, encouraging users
to run the Centre for themselves as far as possible.
South Downs National Park
The Parish Council is opposing proposals made by East Hampshire District
Council over changes to the suggested boundaries for the proposed new South
Downs National Park. The Parish Council is to enter further objections to
the proposed boundary changes, which will be considered by national
government's DEFRA - Department for the Environment, Regions and
Agriculture.
Article posted on: 28 February 2003
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