We have received comments about the rise in the Precept for 23/24. This article, seeks to explain why it has risen and why we feel it is justified. I don’t apologise for the length of the explanation – it is a complex subject.

Cllr Lynn Evans Chairman HPC

The precept enables a Parish Council to fulfil all its aims and duties.

In Horndean we have over 150 acres of land which we own or manage for the benefit of residents and the wildlife which inhabits the land. The majority is owned and includes five Local Nature Reserves one of which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest – SSSI

All our sites are well-used and much appreciated. Included are all the playgrounds and outdoor gym facilities. During holidays and fine weather all the play areas are extremely well-used and the open spaces are visited by many people out for a walk.

We also own and maintain two community halls which are available for hire.

We have a small grant budget which is applied for by organisations in need of help.

Support is given to the Horndean and Clanfield Food Bank.

The Remembrance Day Service and Carols in the Square are organised and funded by HPC and are both well-attended and appreciated.

The Planning Committee comment on all applications made within the Parish to try to ensure that they are acceptable in design and situation.

We answer numerous queries in a typical week and sign-post residents to contact other organisations when a problem occurs which is outside our remit.

The 15% increase to the precept this year (an increase of £11 per annum on a band D house) has been brought about by:
• A fall in income from the halls due to lockdowns and some clubs and groups conducting their events online not face to face.
• Some groups have failed due to people choosing to spend their monies on necessities rather than entertainment.
• We have seen increases in utility bills and could see more. Most of the services we have to “buy in” have increased significantly in cost.
• A significant spend on repair and replacement due to vandalism.
• A cost during the summer of hiring private security to prevent vandalism

As a Council we feel that all the above are of benefit to each of our residents in one way or another and sometimes even more valuable when times are difficult.

The budget and resulting precept are discussed in public meetings over a period of months. For instance the 23/24 budget was discussed six times. No member of the public attended any of these meetings.

Elections take place on May 4th this year and we are not expecting to have 15 Councillors after that date. Do your bit and get elected (still time if you move quickly) or join the Council by becoming co-opted – the Chief Officer can supply details of how this works and the duties and responsibilities of a member of the Council.

The extension houses the office and countryside team workshop. Both were previously rented. The rents we were paying cover the loan repayments. All staff housed in a suitable building which is owned by the Parish. All the plans and the business case for the project were discussed in public meetings on many occasions.

Carla.baverstock-jones@horndeanpc-hants.gov.uk 
Website: www.horndeanpc-hants.gov.uk

Next meetings:
Annual Parish Meeting 3rd April at 7pm in Jubilee Hall
Council Meeting April 17th at 7pm in Jubilee Hall

NOTICE OF ELECTION - EAST HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL 

ELECTION OF TOWN/PARISH COUNCILLORS

for the Wards listed here

 

 

1.       Nomination papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer, East Hampshire District Council, Penns Place, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4EX on any day after the date of this notice, on Monday to Friday 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding bank holidays) but no later than 4 pm on Tuesday, 4th April 2023. Please book an appointment in advance https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/NominationPapers1@capitacouncilspartnership.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/

 

2.       Nomination papers may be obtained from the offices of the Returning Officer, East Hampshire District Council, Penns Place, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4EX, during the times stated above or downloaded from https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/media/5016

 

3.               If any election is contested the poll will take place on Thursday, 4th May 2023.

 

4.               Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 12 midnight on Monday 17 April 2023. Applications can be made online: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

 

5.       Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes and amendments or cancellations of proxy votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at East Hampshire District Council, Penns Place, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4EX by 5 pm on Tuesday, 18th April 2023.

 

6.       Applications for a Voter Authority Certificate or an Anonymous Elector’s Document valid for this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on 25^th April 2023. Applications can be made online: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

 

7.       New applications to vote by proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at East Hampshire District Council, Penns Place, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4EX by 5 pm on Tuesday, 25th April 2023.

 

8.       Applications to vote by emergency proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at East Hampshire District Council, Penns Place, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4EX by 5pm on Thursday, 4th May 2023 

 

 

CARETAKER/CLEANER

Required at Napier Hall

The position is for 15hrs per week, which is flexible.

Hourly rate is £10.42.

Opening/Closing of the hall is required, including occasional evenings/Saturdays

depending on bookings, and is in addition to the contractual 15hrs.

Due to the requirements of the role the position may suit a local person.

For more information and to view a full job description, please click on the following link: Job Description

CV’s will not be accepted. Please complete an Application Form

Alternatively call: Carla Baverstock-Jones – Chief Officer on 02392 597766 or email: carla.baverstock-jones@horndeanpc-hants.gov.uk

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 11 April 2023

HORNDEAN PARISH COUNCIL IS URGING RESIDENTS TO BECOME A COUNCILLOR

HORNDEAN PARISH COUNCIL is encouraging residents to stand in the local (parish and town) council elections on the 04 May 2023.

People from all backgrounds and experiences who are passionate about their local area can put themselves forward.

HORNDEAN PARISH COUNCIL is urging enthusiastic and engaged members of the community who want to make a long-lasting change, have innovative ideas or have concerns about a specific issue to stand as councillors for the opportunity to make a real difference.

The work is exciting and rewarding. An integral part of a councillor's role is engaging with local people, groups, and businesses to determine their needs, making decisions on the services and projects the council should take forward, and getting involved to ensure services meet the community's needs.

Find out more about the local elections and how to become a councillor:

contact@horndeanpc-hants.gov.uk

 

 

The Contract has been awarded to Eibe Play Limited in respect of the replacement of the play equipment at Five Heads Recreation Ground.

Contracts Finder notice reference URL: 

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a6c5eea7-a7da-4eae-abb8-fe371135588b

 

 

Horndean Parish Council Vandalism on Sites.

HELP US TO STOP THE MINDLESS VANDALISM AND ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN PARKS, RECREATION GROUNDS, PLAY AREAS AND LEISURE AREAS IN HORNDEAN.

The Parish Council owns and maintains a number of open spaces, parks and play areas for use end enjoyment by the community. As a Parish we are lucky to have access to such a large amount and variety of leisure and recreation areas. They range from a Site of Special Scientific Interest at Catherington Down, to Local Nature reserves, to parks, to playing fields and play areas. Here is a link to what is available for community use: Council Facilities

Some areas will be used by all age groups but other areas have a specific focus particularly with regard to the age of the intended user. What is important is that everyone does have access to the leisure areas and that they should be used appropriately.

There are a small minority of teenagers whose behaviour is antisocial and who are causing a lot of damage, leaving litter/ debris/ broken glass in the areas where they congregate and deterring others from using an area. There is a cost to the residents in having to deal with the aftermath of their behaviour.

Firstly, the staff time in the Parish Office as each incident has to be reported separately in order to get a crime reference number. Then, arrangements have to be made for repairs and replacement items.

Secondly, the time of the Countryside Team who carry out a lot of repairs in-house but who also clear up litter, broken glass and evidence of drug use.

Lastly, there is the actual cost to the Parish of repairs having to be carried out. These are a sample of the costs at Jubilee Hall since January of this year:-
1. In January, a bench was set alight and destroyed beyond repair. The replacement cost was £550 plus vat plus the time of the Countryside Team in carrying out the replacement of the bench.
2. In February, a window was broken that cost £179 plus vat to replace.
3. In March, the outside toilet was vandalised. There were minor sundry costs but the major cost was the replacement of the door that had been pulled off its hinges- £248.
4. In April, a floor to ceiling window in the reception area was smashed whilst a Council meeting was in progress. The quote for the replacement window is £848 plus vat.

These costs are paid by the residents through the precept paid by each household. A band D property pays £76.42 per annum.

Most incidents are captured on CCTV. Where teenagers are identified, contact is made with their parents. In respect of item 3 above, the two teenagers involved were sitting outside on the grass whilst the CCTV footage was being viewed. It would be appropriate for their parents to step forward and reimburse the repair costs.

A selection of other incidents and the site where it occurred:-
5. Damage to the gates from Stonechat Road and also Avocet Way onto Jubilee Field.
6. Numerous cases of graffiti at the toddlers play area, Jubilee Hall. The wooden monkey on the pod and the steps are regularly broken off. There is continual evidence of drug use within this area. The teenagers congregate in the toddler area. This prevents use by those aged 10 and under for whom it is intended.
7. Fires are lit around the Jubilee Hall and Five Heads sites. On one known occasion at Jubilee hall, deodorant cans were thrown onto a fire with the resultant explosion.
8. Broken glass and litter at Jubilee Hall, Five Heads Recreation Ground and Deep Dell- off Hazleton Way.
9. Litter at Jays Close.
10. The riding of motor bikes and scooters without helmets on the grass at Jubilee Hall and on Catherington Lane.
11. One of the older boys dropping his trousers and pressing up against a window whilst a meeting was taking place at Jubilee Hall.
12. One of the most frightening incidents took place at Deep Dell on an afternoon earlier this month. 12-15 male teenagers were drinking, swearing, weaving around on electric scooters, throwing around temporary barriers and trying to break playground equipment. All this whilst young children and their parents were present.

These teenagers are easily identifiable. They are always present. They are captured on CCTV. They probably attend local schools. They live amongst us. On each site and on each occasion, there is probably someone present who knows who they are. That includes their peer group. It could be their parents. Please report who and what you see to the police on 101 or online: Hampshire Police- Report a crime but also to the Parish Office via email: contact@horndeanpc-hants.gov.uk. Dealing with this problem is a community effort.

Potential closure of footpaths: Information for residents can be found via the following link below. If any footpaths, including urban paths are not shown, an application needs to be made to Hampshire County Council to hopefully ensure its continuance. The application process can be found by following the link. 

https://www.hants.gov.uk/landplanningandenvironment/rightsofway/definitivemap

What is a Definitive Map?

Each highway authority keeps a Definitive Map and Statement of all public rights of way - the formal legal record of the existence of footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and byways open to all traffic. In total it offers more than 137,000 miles of public footpath, bridleway and byway providing a level of access admired throughout the world.

Please see the map at the link below with contact details of which authority to report issues to:

/_UserFiles/Files/Footpath_Reporting.pdf