Perspectives September 2010

perspectives September 2010

Your New Guildhall page 12

2011 Census page 9

Council Decisions page 11

Annual Report pages 6-8

news from around the winchester district

A Leaner Greener City Council It would be difficult not to have noticed the changes that central government has been making recently to public services, and the potential impact on local government should not be underestimated.

Winchester City Council has been working hard for a number of years to become a more efficient organisation and has already made upwards of ÂŁ1.5 million of efficiency savings. However, the latest round of government cuts and changes will mean the organisation has to look even harder at what we do and why we do it.

The Council’s remit is to provide the priority services that its residents want.

This means that we will be looking with fresh eyes at how we are set up, what services we provide and how we provide them. This major piece of work could mean that how you contact the council, who you normally speak to, or the standards you have come to expect may change slightly. We will be working hard to ensure we maintain our customer service excellence accreditation but we want to work with you as residents to ensure we are providing priority services in a way that will make the most difference in our communities, while making what could be difficult decisions for both services and our workforce. The Council will be open and transparent about the changes it may have to make and will be seeking your input where appropriate to help make the best decisions.

With a renewed focus on why and how we provide services we also have a clear direction to make the council and our communities greener places to work and live. Priority is being given to climate change projects and reducing our carbon footprint. Work is already on-going with our climate change action plan and the Council is a key member of the team working on the Winchester Declaration on Climate Change and is committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 20% by 2012. The Council cannot make the changes required on its own, we also need you as residents to help to make a difference and ways that you can play your part, be inspired and lower your emissions and bills are on the next page.

Homecoming Parade Winchester residents and visitors came to the city in their thousands in June to support the troops from 11 Light Brigade on return from the conflict in Afghanistan, and to see HRH the Duchess of Cornwall welcome them home.

The day was a great success, and the City Council and Hampshire County Council were proud to work with the Army to show the nation Winchester’s pride in its armed forces. You can see a whole host of pictures and information about the day at www.hants.gov.uk/returningforcesparade

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Open

GreenHouse – your chance to be inspired

On Sunday 10 October 2010 - Winchester Action on Climate Change is co-ordinating another Open GreenHouse event in the district.

This event gives you the chance to be in invited into homes in your neighbourhood to see how their owners have made them more energy efficient, and how they have cut their bills, helping Winchester meet the target of a 10% cut in greenhouse gases by the end of 2010 as part of the 10:10 programme.

For full details of the homes involved, what changes they have made and where they are, visit the WinACC website www.winacc.org.uk where information will be available from September, or contact Chris Holloway WinACC co-ordinator email winacc@winacc.org.uk or call 01962 827 083.

If you would like to take part and open your home to inspire others, WinACC would love to hear from you. You don't have to have a total ecohome to be involved, you just need something that you think people might like to know more about.

Please be prepared to talk about your decisions, show them any changes and talk about the impact on your bills etc. If you are interested please contact Chris on the details above.

For more information about climate change, how you can make changes, or to pledge to reduce your emissions go to www.winacc.org.uk

Do you want to save money this winter?

If so, why not visit the ‘Whiteley Energy Weekend’ which is being held on 10, 11, and 12 September in Whiteley Village.

you Win r bills energ for paid y a ye ar

The event will offer the opportunity to see a wide range of products and services from different suppliers to find out which solution is right for you. As well as give you the chance to win the amazing prize of having your energy bills paid for a year courtesy of Southern Electric (up to a maximum of £1,000).

A range of energy companies, water suppliers, companies selling solar heating, wall and loft insulation and other eco products have been invited. There will also be sections on recycling, composting and water conservation and some fun activities for children as well.

The event is being organised by the Whiteley Action Group, which is part of Whiteley Parish Council, with support from WinACC, Fareham Borough Council, Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council. It will take place in two large retail units in Whiteley Village, so everything will be under cover. The shopping centre is close to Junction 9 of the M27 and has free car parking.

If you know any local firms that may wish to be involved in the event, please contact Al Menzies at al.menzies@whiteleypc.info or telephone 01489 588 501.

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Park & Ride Winchester Park & Ride is the cheapest and greenest way to park in Winchester for commuters, visitors and shoppers alike.

Frequent and efficient buses leave every 10 minutes at peak time and every 15 minutes off-peak. They serve all three Park & Ride car parks, the railway station, hospital, Winchester City Centre and Winchester University along with other key destinations. The new South Winchester site has now been recognised, along with the original sites, by the British

Parking Association and has been awarded Park Mark safer parking status. Big employers in the City have also started to use the sites for staff parking, to lessen their impact on traffic movement in the town. Customers are also using the site to park for the railway station and to visit the hospital.

Why Park & Ride?

The Greenest Way to Park

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Saves you time and money

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Reduce city centre traffic and congestion

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Saves stress over parking

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Improve the city centre environment

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Frequent buses

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Discounted smart cards

New Park & Ride buses built to Euro V emission standard specification

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Maintains the economic viability of the city.

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Contribute to the Winchester City Air Quality Action Plan.

There are three car parks off the M3 providing

Pay to park, free to ride!

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780 spaces at Barfield & St Catherine’s, junction 10

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Pay to park, and all passengers travel free

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864 spaces at South Winchester, junction 11.

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All day ticket

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10% discount with smart card

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Annual season ticket with 20% discount

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NEW off peak weekday rate after 10:30am £2- all day (cheaper than parking in town!).

The ticket machines are Pay & Display. However, they also accept Smart cards that offer discounted parking for regular users. Smart cards can be purchased from Winchester City Council Parking Office. The St Catherine’s and South Winchester site includes visitor information, toilets, and help points. Low floor buses are used on the Park & Ride service to provide better accessibility for all our customers.

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Ticket options available:

Further information on Park & Ride services is available from www.winchesterparkandride.co.uk email parkandride@wincster.gov.uk or tel: 01962 848 346

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Local Development Framework Core Strategy Did you know local planning is changing?

On 6 July this year the Government revoked the South East Plan with immediate effect, meaning it no longer applies.

The plan had directed planning policy at District level, including setting targets for the amount of new housing to be built in the District by 2026 and providing strategic planning guidance on matters such as climate change, preparing for an ageing population, and countryside issues.

Since the election of the Coalition Government in May, many suggestions have been made about ‘reforms’ to the planning system, including references to ‘localism’ and ‘The Big Society’. Whilst more details are still emerging on how these will affect the Council’s Local Development Framework, the Council has taken the decision to delay progress on its Core Strategy. This will allow for

further evidence gathering and community consultation on the amount and type of new housing that should now be provided in the District. There will still need to be consideration of the issues of an ageing population and providing more affordable homes so that people who work in the District can also live locally, either in Winchester or one of our smaller towns and villages.

Community Events A series of events has been planned to give local communities the opportunity to discuss local needs for new homes and other forms of development which may need to be provided. These events will be not only be about the numbers of new homes that should be provided, but also who they are needed for – it may be local people wishing to retire and downsize, young adults wishing to have their own home rather than living with mum and dad, or new couples wishing to start a family in a house with a garden.

Due to the level of house prices in the District, another key issue to be addressed is affordability. Many people, particularly the young, cannot afford to buy their own homes and will require some form of financial subsidy. Discussion of these issues will help ensure that local housing needs can be planned for and sites identified, allowing new homes to be built to meet the real needs of different types of people.

Information from these discussions will inform a revised Core Strategy to be published in 2011.

For further information on the Core Strategy and details of the events planned, visit www.winchester.gov.uk/ldf

Why do you love Winchester?

If you had a short time to enthuse about your wonderful city to a stranger, what would you say?

The City Council aims to introduce an American-style volunteer ‘greeters’ scheme to give a personal welcome to Winchester’s 4 million visitors as we get ready to ‘welcome the world’ in the run up to the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. ‘Visit Winchester’ Greeters would act as ambassadors and introduce people to ‘their Winchester’.

have a special interest such as local food, cycling or fishing that you could share with our visitors?

If you are passionate, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about your city and enjoy meeting people, this could be a unique opportunity for you. Do you

Volunteers would need to commit to basic training during the winter of 2010 and at least two greets per month.

We would like to encourage volunteers from all walks of life and a wide range of ages. ‘Greets’ last up to four hours and would abide by the Global Greeter Network standards (www.globalgreeternetwork.info).

For an application pack or an informal discussion about being a volunteer greeter, contact Alison Woods on 01962 848 347 or email awoods@winchester.gov.uk

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Annual Report

This section provides information on some of Winchester City Council’s key achievements and service improvements, as well as efficiency savings, during 2009/2010.

Economic Prosperity

Efficient and Effective G The council was judged to be performing well for its residents in the Comprehensive Area Assessment.

G Internal re-organisations, savings on contracts and sharing of services with other local authorities have saved local council taxpayers over £200,000.

G LEADER programme: £668,000 of European grants

have been secured for 44 projects that support the rural economy. Projects funded include providing rural childcare, adding value to farm products, improving community buildings, encouraging energy efficiency and helping young people start their own businesses.

Safe and Stro G Continental Shifts: Helping to boost

the early evening economy with a programme of entertainment over six Fridays during the summer holidays.

G The number of affordable homes delivered has increased by 73%.

G Four Winchester films: Tourism spending is worth

£240 million to the local economy and these short films were made to highlight the area’s appeal to potential visitors. Visit www.youtube.com/ visitwinchester to remind yourself what a great place Winchester is to live and help to 'spread the word' by recommending the films to friends and linking to them via Facebook and Twitter.

G Bishop’s Waltham Pocket Guide: Was published in

G The number of households living in temporary accommodation has reduced by 60%.

G Hampshire Home

Choice users were asked their opinions on the new system for allocating social housing: 84% of respondents said that the scheme made it easier to select where they want to live.

partnership with Bishop’s Waltham Parish Council, as part of a developing suite of colourful and informative guides to promote the market towns and support the rural economy.

G Hyde900 Festival: a successful year of

community led celebrations for the 900th anniversary of the founding of Hyde Abbey started with two exhibitions at Winchester Discovery Centre, one of which received £50,000 in Heritage Lottery Funding.

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G The average time taken to process

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housing benefit, council tax new claims and changes in circumstances has been reduced from 9 to 6 days.

G Our Customer Service

Centre answered 203,431 customer telephone calls and that included huge numbers during the winter’s severe weather conditions – in January 2010 the team answered over 3,000 extra calls, a 16% increase on the previous year.

G 50% of services have now

achieved the national Customer Service Excellence standard as part of a programme to accredit the whole council in the next year.

ng Communities G We have exceeded the targets of 2,000 for health walks participants and of 1,800 for GP exercise referrals, supported by the Active Lifestyles Officer in partnership with the Sport and Physical Activity Alliance.

G Village shops: £75,000 has

been allocated to five village shops, in response to the economic downturn, to ensure that essential services are provided in our rural communities.

G Quality accreditation:

The Westgate and City Museums, managed by the council, have been accredited under the Visitor Attractions Quality Assessment Scheme run by the national tourism body, VisitEngland.

G Winchester Tourist

Information Centre (TIC) was refurbished and 97% of those who took part in a subsequent survey said that their overall impression of the TIC was excellent.

High Quality Environment G South Winchester Park & Ride:

The new park and ride just off Junction 11 of the M3 offers 864 additional parking spaces.

Working in partnership with Hampshire County Council the scheme aims to reduce the volume of traffic travelling into the city centre, improving air quality and relieving congestion at peak times.

G The newly refurbished Tower Street multi-storey car park and

G Hundreds of school children from

across the Winchester District learned how to 'Think Safe' thanks to a week of special events organised by the City Council in conjunction with Worthy Down Army Camp.

South Winchester Park & Ride have been awarded Parkmark Safer Parking Awards.

The scheme recognises car parks that meet set standards for reducing the potential for crime, such as installing adequate lighting, keeping the area clean, and patrolling regularly.

G Nine on-street recycling bins were G Junior Warden Scheme: Our

Neighbourhood Wardens launched the scheme at Winnall Community Centre. Children aged between 7 and 11 years of age have learnt about recycling, environmental issues, personal safety and their local history.

installed in Abbey Gardens and 14 in the Cathedral grounds.

The banks accept plastic bottles and drink cans in one compartment and general litter in another. Around 1/4 of the total litter produced in these areas is now being recycled.

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More information can be found on www.winchester.gov.uk

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Financial Information Q. How much did the council spend?

2009/2010

A. £79 million

The Council’s gross expenditure (after adjustment for the partial reversal of Council Housing impairments) was £79 million, while the income generated from Council activities (such as rent from council tenants) was £61 million. The shortfall is funded by other external sources. These include council tax, grants from Central Government and business rates. The total amount of expenditure funded by council tax was £8.7 million, which is 11% of the Council’s gross annual expenditure.

Business rates are collected locally and paid to the Government. The national total is then redistributed by Government when the grant settlement is announced.

Winchester City Council collected £44.9 million from its businesses, but only received £5.7 million (13%) of that collected in the redistribution.

Q. How much is the council worth?

A. £442 million

At 31 March 2010, the Council had assets of £514 million and total liabilities of £72 million, giving a net worth of £442 million. However, this includes the Council’s housing stock of more than 5,000 houses and flats with a total value of £394 million. The Council’s reserves at 31 March 2010 included £4.7 million, which can be used for financing capital expenditure plus earmarked revenue reserves of £6.8 million. It is Council policy that the unallocated level of revenue reserves should not fall below £2 million and this amount is kept in a separate reserve known as the General Fund Balance.

Q. What was spent on capital projects?

A. £11 million

The Council’s capital budget finances the purchase of equipment or land that will provide economic benefits over a number of years. Major refurbishment costs and some grants are also included in this expenditure.

The preparation of the capital budget is aligned to the Sustainable Community Strategy to show where money is being spent on each of the five priorities in the Corporate Business Plan. The main corporate priority is identified for each line of capital.

Capital Expenditure in 2009/10 was identified against the corporate priorities as follows: 2

1

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4 6 5

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1 Inclusive Society

£4,626,000

2 Efficient & Effective Council

£3,556,000

3 High Quality Environment

£674,000

4 Cross cutting / all

£ 92,000

5 Health & Wellbeing

£500,000

6 Safe & Strong Communities

£111,000

7 Economic Prosperity

£1,707,000

Key capital projects this year included re-roofing of the Westgate, High Street refurbishment, Tower street refurbishment, synthetic turf pitch at Henry Beaufort, and £200,000 lottery funding enabled 2 children’s woodland playsites to be completed with 2 more coming soon.

Full details are available from www.winchester.gov.uk/finance

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2011 Census coming to a letterbox near you On 27 March 2011 all residential households in the United Kingdom will be taking part in a census. Since 1801, a day has been chosen every ten years for this purpose.

The census provides an excellent source of information about the population.

This enables central and local government, health authorities and many other organisations to plan housing, education, health and transport services for years to come.

The census statistics feed into the allocation of funding for local

authorities and play a major part in their ability to provide local services, so it is crucial the population estimate is as accurate as possible. When the questionnaire envelope comes through the door you’ll easily recognise it by the purple 2011 Census logo. Take care of it. If, like many people, you want to complete the questionnaire online, your individual internet code is on the front of the questionnaire.

The 2011 Census doesn’t want anyone to fall behind – so there is a wide range of help options available (such as language guidance booklets, large print format, Text Relay and census field staff on hand, as well as online help and telephone call centres).

If you are interested in working for the census visit www.censusjobs.co.uk to see the wide range of opportunities available.

For more information about the 2011 census visit www.census.gov.uk

High turnout for elections – don’t forget to register The election turnouts in May for the UK Parliament in the Winchester and Meon Valley Constituencies were 76% and 73% respectively.

These were some of the highest turnouts in the country. There was also a very high turnout for the District elections which were held on the same day as the General Election.

This year’s annual canvass started in August and forms are being sent to every property in the district. Please return your form promptly once received. If there are no changes to the details printed on your form, you can take advantage of the telephone or internet registration service that is being provided for the fourth year running.

The new Register of Electors will be published on 1 December 2010. If you are not on the Register, you will not be entitled to vote and it could also affect your credit rating.

For more information contact Electoral Registration ereg@winchester.gov.uk Tel 01962 848 125

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Winchester Community Safety Partnership – making a difference Winchester District is considered one of the safest places to live and work in the UK. It has low crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) levels compared to many other areas in Hampshire.

Winchester Community Safety Partnership’s (WCSP) work covers all areas of the district and they aim to reduce crime, ASB and the perceptions related to both issues.

Members of the WCSP – the Police, Fire Service (HFRS), City and County Council Officers go out into local communities giving advice about many issues that impact on people’s quality of life e.g. vandalism, fire safety, noise nuisance, low level ASB. This snapshot shows some of the work undertaken by the partnership between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2010 which reflect some of the reductions made in crime and disorder over the last year. Our challenge is to do even better in future years. However the partnership believes that by improving confidence in the community and dealing with local concerns, they will help to make Winchester a safer place for all.

428 fewer victims of ASB. Crime fell by 4.6% (322 incidents).

1,580 crimes solved by Police 578 home fire safety visits made by the HFRS to people’s homes to help them stay safe and help prevent fires.

102 Road traffic collisions attended

by HFRS, where it was necessary for the extrication of 33 persons.

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individuals targeted for intervention and enforcements for their ASB.

22 statutory nuisances served under Environmental Protection Act (1990) section 80.

982 lots of fly tipping were removed.

788 Needles were found and removed.

300 incidents of Graffiti were removed.

284 vehicles reported as unlicensed and untaxed. From these 63 vehicles were seized.

1,116 101 calls were received and dealt with.

52 police and police community support officers working in Safer Neighbourhood Teams across the district.

1696 houses within Winchester are covered by Cold Calling Zones.

3764

Pupils in secondary schools received a written letter on ASB and the impact on possession of alcohol.

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Your views on how we run the Council The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 requires us to change some of the ways we run the Council, and we would like your views on the best option to choose.

This is likely to be a short term arrangement as the new Coalition Government has advised that it may make further changes which would come into effect in 2012. This could give more discretion to councils on how they make decisions, including an option to return to the traditional committee decision making system. However, the Government has said that, as the 2007 Act is still in force, it is still necessary to consult on the new options for running the Council listed below.

How it works now

What are the two options?

At present, the full Council of 57 councillors - elects the Leader of the Council to serve for one year, and appoints up to 9 other councillors to form a Cabinet. Cabinet Members are responsible for making most policy and spending decisions. The remaining councillors are responsible for scrutinising - checking and challenging - the decisions of the Cabinet, although some also make decisions on planning and licensing applications. Full Council approves the annual budget. The Mayor chairs the full Council meetings and has a civic ceremonial role representing the Council at events throughout the District.

Leader with Cabinet This option is similar to how the Council is run now. However, instead of the whole Council (all 57 City Councillors) deciding who will be the Council Leader and which Councillors will make up the Cabinet, they can only decide who will be the Leader. The Leader would remain in office for four years instead of one year and would be able to appoint up to 9 other Councillors, including a Deputy Leader to form a Cabinet. The Leader could exercise all Cabinet functions or delegate decision making. The whole Council would be able to remove the Council Leader from office. A Civic Mayor would continue to be appointed annually to carry out ceremonial duties.

Directly Elected Mayor and Cabinet With this option there would be a direct election to elect an individual as Mayor to remain in office for four years. The Mayor is not a City Councillor and is in addition to the 57 City Councillors. The directly Elected Mayor will be able to appoint up to 9 Councillors, including a Deputy Mayor to form the Cabinet. The whole Council would not be able to remove a directly Elected Mayor from office.

The Mayor can exercise all Cabinet functions or delegate decision making. The traditional, non political role of the civic Mayor can continue, but it may require a new title to differentiate it from the directly Elected Mayor’s role.

More information can be found on our website www.winchester.gov.uk/decisionmaking

What do you think? Before making a final decision, the City Council is asking local residents’ for their views. Using the feedback you provide (as well as other information) the Council will vote on its preferred choice at full Council on 3 November 2010, which will come into effect for the next local elections in May 2011. Please note the Council does not have a preference at this stage.

Please complete the voting slip to register your view, by returning it to Stephen Whetnall, Corporate Director (Governance), City Offices, Colebrook Street, Winchester, SO23 9LJ by Friday 8 October 2010.

Alternatively, you may also vote on-line at www.winchester.gov.uk/decisionmaking

Voting Slip

Do you think that Winchester City Council should adopt the revised model of decision making with a Leader (chosen by elected councillors) and a Cabinet (chosen by the Leader), or change to a directly Elected Mayor (elected once every four years) and a Cabinet (chosen by the Elected Mayor) No Preference

Postcode

Age

Gender Female

Male

Ethnicity Telephone 01962 848 264 or Email democracy@winchester.gov.uk

White

Mixed

Black

Asian

All information is treated in strict confidence.

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Winchester

Guildhall

your community venue

The project uses ÂŁ1.4m of funding from the legacy of the late Bapsy, Marchioness of Winchester, who bequeathed money to the Council for the specific purpose of developing the Guildhall. Indian born Bapsybanoo Parvey, Bapsy, Marchioness who died in 1995, also of Winchester left a magnificent full length portrait of herself to display in The Guildhall. Her generous bequest will result in a superb new facility within the Guildhall in which her portrait will take pride of place.

The refurbishment project will not only help the Guildhall to continue to attract visitors from far and wide but will also enable the venue to be used increasingly by the community and make it a real hub for local residents activity. The brand new eatery eighteen71 (the name is inspired by the date the All artists images courtesy of Chaplain Farrant Wiltshire Ltd, Architects, Designers & Visualisers

foundation stone was laid) has now opened on the Broadway and is already becoming a popular space for people to meet, have informal business lunches or stay late and have a glass of wine while overlooking the beautiful Abbey House and Gardens.

As well as the extensive refurbishment of the main hall, conference chamber, and new multi purpose ground floor space, the project will also include improved access, lifts to all floors, new carpets, doors and lighting, refurbished staircases, and new display areas for items from the city's art and museums collections. The work will also improve the energy efficiency of the building through the installation of modern energy saving features and improved insulation throughout the building and as part of the refurbished roof.

The project is being conducted in stages, allowing the building to remain open most of the time, however the building will have limited access for several weeks from 26 July to mid September, to allow for significant works to be carried out safely. eighteen71 will remain open though so it is a good opportunity to sample the new local produce menu before the rest of the venue is fully open.

This project will not affect access to the Tourist Information Centre.

The all new eatery

eighteen71 Visit www.guildhallwinchester.co.uk for more information

This magazine is produced by Winchester City Council. If you would like to contact us about any of the services featured in this issue, please see the contact details given in each article. You can also write to us at City Offices, Colebrook Street, Winchester, SO23 9LJ, call Corporate Communications on 01962 848 504, or email communications@winchester.gov.uk Telephone calls may be recorded. Winchester City Council is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Tape versions are available on request from Winchester Talking Newspaper, through our Corporate Communications Unit.

PEFC/16-33-648

COM0003-0652 Aug 2010 Designed by Winchester City Council.

The ÂŁ3.2million renovation and restoration scheme for Guildhall Winchester is now in full flow, and is set to be complete by the end of 2010.