May 2025
The Newtown Parish Assembly took place on 19th May and was well attended by many local residents.
The underlying theme of discussion was change. Change in new housing developments, change welcoming many new residents and change linked to the proposed Local Government restructure.
Change also to the line up of Newtown Parish Council. Tony Webb, former chair, retired during the year and Sean Curry also stepped down following his house move from Newtown. Both were warmly thanked for their many years of service to the local community and Will Page was welcomed as a new Parish Councillor.
During the meeting residents positively endorsed the plans put forward by NPC for the coming year which included:
The construction of Village gateways, improved signage and road markings in a concerted effort to improve road safety and reduce excessive speeding of traffic along the B4640 and also along the dangerous narrow blind bends at Jonathan Hill. This project would also encompass widening the entrance to Horris Hill school and creating traffic calming measures along the track to the houses at Jonathan Hill.
Renewing a sense of community by holding more whole village events and by creating a new village booklet along the lines of ‘Newtown at the Millennium’.
Residents were also encouraged to provide their email addresses so that NPC could update them with relevant and timely information about events and issues affecting them including updating the Bylaws applying to Newtown Common.
A key message to residents was to keep in touch and to report any issues or concerns via our excellent ‘REPORT IT’ page on the Newtown Parish Website.
March 2025
Planning is now well underway for our Annual Parish Council Assembly, and you are all cordially invited to attend on 19th May, commencing at 7pm, in the Newtown Village Hall.
The event will follow the standard Parish Council meeting format, including status reports on Parish Council activities, but also feature updates from our guest speakers, about how the imminent changes in Local Authority organisation are likely to affect us.
There will be opportunities for questions and for residents to highlight any concerns and/or provide suggestions for the PC to take forward.
Importantly, there will be an opportunity to meet and chat with fellow residents and your NPC committee, over a glass of wine (or two?) and have a look at the display boards highlighting the work of Newtown Common Parish council, the Newtown Common Management Committee and the Newtown Village Hall Trustees. You will be able to see and comment on our plans for the remainder of 2025.
We hope it will be an informative and enjoyable community-spirited event for all – but it will really depend on Newtown residents coming along to make the event a success, so we do hope you will spare the time to join us!
More details will be posted shortly on our website, and we look forward to seeing you all there!
February 2025
With the first green shoots showing through the frosted ground and Spring on the horizon, Newtown Parish council has been focused on new beginnings and future planning…
Sean Curry, who has served Newtown Parish Council for many years has stepped down to embrace new challenges, and we thank him for his dedication and hard work, especially with regards to the common management. Jo Exelby has been appointed as the new Chair of the Common Management Committee.
The Parish Council team were delighted to meet with the new head of Horris Hill school, Mrs Helen Wilkinson, with a view to strengthening relationships and collaboration between the two parties. The school is keen to help support the council’s ongoing protest with regards to the speeding on the B4640 and to develop a junior common management program whereby their older students can participant in clean up operations and develop a better understanding of the Newtown Common eco system and its important to the environment. We very much look forward to working with this new and energetic bunch of volunteers!
We were also delighted to meet with our CSPO, Drew Mechen, and his new colleague Jiya Patel, who briefed the council members on the changes to their coverage areas and shifts which will mean an extended and more focused patrol schedule for the Newtown Common area. Drew and his team are focused on helping to ensure that the Common is an enjoyable area for us all. Should you wish to report any issues of anti-sociable behaviour or damage to the common, please do so via the “report it” page on our website.
And lastly, planning is underway for our Annual Parish Meeting in May which will be held on the 19th May (details to follow) – please save the date in your diaries.
January 2025
Happy New Year to you from Newtown Parish Council. At our meeting on January 13th, we agreed three New Year’s resolutions, which will hopefully please the residents of the parish and make a positive impact on the local community.
1. NPC resolved to redouble their efforts to improve the quality of roads and road safety in the Parish
This will include self-funded plans to construct new village gateways to demarcate the boundaries of Newtown (example shown here).NPC will also implement a number of other measures to remind motorists to drive safely and sensibly through our residential area used by pedestrians, dog walkers and horse riders. The coming year will also include re-energising the campaign for speed awareness/speed limit enforcement along the B4640 and the C45.
We need the approval of HCC and Hampshire Constabulary to deliver this, but the NPC is committed to securing it.
We need your support too – Please continue to report your concerns and issues about roads and road safety directly via our Parish website.
2. NPC resolved to maintain and preserve the Common as a welcoming open space for all.
Our winter work plan is well underway. However, we also need to update the old Bylaws which cover the do’s and the don’ts on the Common and the penalties and sanctions which apply if you don’t? We have been in touch with the other two Hampshire Parishes which share these Bylaws to gain their support for this updating and are now in dialogue with Basingstoke and Deane to get the job done. Watch this space….
Meanwhile – if you see any anti-social behaviour whilst out on Newtown Common such as illegal parking, dangerous dogs or the riding of electric/mountain bikes – then please report it to us for follow up action.
3. NPC also resolved to actively promote and pursue the interests of residents in three key areas.
Planning Issues – where Newtown has been at the receiving end of Basingstoke and Deane B.C. bad decisions and bad management for long enough.
Local Government issues – There will undoubtedly be disruption arising from recent decisions by HCC to apply for the Government fast track devolution and the dissolution of Basingstoke and Deane and Borough Council. NPC will work hard to minimise impacts wherever possible.
Community Issues – Newtown is a small area of scattered houses and one where there have recently been several older residents leaving and quite a few new people arriving. NPC plans to promote a renewed sense of community via several events and activities in 2025.
We need your help in three ways:
● Sign up for our regular monthly ‘News from Newtown’ website updates
● Tell us what improvements/changes you would like to see in Newtown?
● Come along to our Parish Assembly on May 19th and tell us in person.
Please do share your views about our plans. You can contact us here.