Newtown Parish Assembly
Monday 19th May
Newtown Village Hall
Drinks and nibbles from 7 pm
Meet fellow residents
Meet your parish, borough and county councillors
Raise any concerns on local matters
Newtown Parish Council
Parish Clerk: Rebecca Cloke
Email: clerk@newtown-pc.org.uk www.newtown-pc.org.uk
Chair: Tom Reseigh
Councillors: Jo Exelby, Will Page, Karen Sirett-Kelly, Bob Ward
Future meeting dates: 21st July, 15th Sep, 10th Nov, 19th Jan 26, 9th Mar 26
(subject to change – please check website to confirm before attending)
Council changes
Since last year’s assembly there have been some personnel changes within the Newtown Parish Council, with the departure of Chairman Tony Webb and councillor Sean Curry. Tom Reseigh, previously Vice Chair, has taken over as Chairman of the Parish Council. Karen Sirett-Kelly, now Vice Chair, and Will Page have both joined the council and Jo Exelby has taken over the responsibilities of Chair of the Common Management Committee, with Bob Ward also joining that group as the second NPC representative.
C45
NPC are very grateful to Hampshire County Council for finally resolving the spring water issue on the road, which had caused a significant ice hazard over several previous winters. During the year, C45 has also been subject to several mains water leaks – and as residents are aware is again currently closed (apart from access) as Thames water lay new sewage pipework. Building works at Newtown Court farm have also caused significant issues for road users along this road, and the Parish Council has worked hard to lobby Basingstoke and Deane Planning Authority to improve their controls over approved developments to ensure that impact on the local environment is minimised.
Hopefully 2025/2026 should prove less problematic for users of this road.
Common Management
We are in the third year of our current 10 year Higher Level Stewardship funding agreement. The funding has been used to fund 18 days of holly clearance, bracken spraying and cut and collect flailing on the wayleaves and some extensive blocks on the eastern common. We have again been fortunate to receive support from Green Gym, principally in clearing holly, and from Sparsholt College in thinning woodland on the western common.
Jonathan Hill
NPC installed posts to prevent unlawful parking of vehicles on common land opposite houses at Jonathan Hill and intend to construct more in the future. The objective is to prevent encroachment and damage to Newtown Common. In conjunction with this, NPC are engaged in dialogue with Basingstoke and Deane to update the bylaws which set out the do’s and don’ts for the common and to increase penalties for those consistently breaking them.
Newtown Common bylaws update
The bylaws review is still ongoing but NPC has reached out and joined forces with two other like-minded Parish Councils in the hope this will expedite the BDBC approval of the uplift in the chargeable fines to ensure the penalties are more in line with current rates and become a more meaningful deterrent.
Newtown Straight – B4640
NPC are extremely disappointed that continued efforts to obtain action to curb excessive speeding along this road have fallen on the deaf ears of Hampshire Police and indeed the Hampshire Police Commissioner. This is despite obtaining massive support in a petition and obtaining irrefutable evidence of daily excessive speeding (over twice the speed limit) and clear evidence of reckless motorbike racing along this road.
Despite support from our MP. our Councillors, and everyone who has seen the data, Hampshire Police insist that it is ‘a safe’ road and no action is to be taken.
Hopefully Hampshire Police will be represented at the Parish Assembly, where residents can express their views about this shocking indifference.
NPC will renew its campaign for speed limit enforcement action along the Newtown Straight and efforts to improve road safety in the Parish during the coming year.
Village Gate Proposal
The NPC is keen to implement a set of Village Gates at two or three locations on the Parish Boundary and will be asking for the input of residents on this proposal at the Annual Assembly. Village Gates have been proven to help reduce the speed of traffic and promote a greater sense of village identity and local pride. The funding for this is already available and subject to HCC and Hampshire Highways approvals would be efficient to implement.
Local Government Changes
You may have seen the note in the latest Parish Magazine about the imminent changes planned for our Local Government Organisation. Hampshire County Council are proposing a mega Unitary Authority covering North east Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight which would be accompanied by the creation of an elected Mayor covering the whole of Hampshire. By contrast, BDBC are proposing a new North East Hampshire Unitary authority to be formed from Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor Borough Council Area, with a stronger focus on the towns and villages in North East Hampshire. The outcome will directly affect everyone in Newtown, in terms of Community Charge bills but more importantly in the quality and range of services delivered to residents.
BDBC Councillors and Hants Councillors will be at the Assembly, so come along and listen to what they have to say – and have your say too!
Local Community Policing
Drew Mechen, our local PCSO and his new colleague Jiya Patel, recently 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: www.newtown-pc.org.uk
Residents book
25 years on from the original, NPC are keen to recreate the Residents Book that was produced in 2000 and will be asking attendees if they would be interested in participating.
Parish Assembly
We have designed a different format for the Parish Assembly this year. The evening will start with an opportunity to review information boards setting out the current activities & future plans of the parish council and others working within the parish. Councillors will be on hand to chat and answer any questions. The formal meeting will then follow with short presentations from the Chair of the Parish Council, our County and Borough Councillors. The evening will end as usual with an opportunity to ask questions in open forum.