2008/9 Precept

The precept for the current year was set at £180,000 against an expenditure of £194,300 the difference being made up from income received. This year’s expenditure looked to be well in excess of budget as no provision had been made, when setting the budget, for utilities (electricity, gas and water), increased rates and building maintenance. The budget was also hit, although this could not have been foreseen, by the financial problems with Arlebury Park Sports and Social Club (APSSC) who have paid no rent during the course of this current year.

As a result of a number of financial exposures (full details) there will be no alternative but to significantly increase the precept in the next financial year. Hopefully most of this increase will be a one time hit, essentially to pay for the costs of the Stevens case (£69,000), and this Council will be able to return to a level of precept similar to last year. At the 17th January meeting the precept for the next financial year was set at £250,000.

Hanging Baskets

The colourful Hanging Baskets in the centre of Alresford will be hung again this year during the week of 6 May, in time for the Watercress Festival. They have been a feature of the Town for over forty years. Originally introduced by the Chamber of Commerce all those years ago the number of baskets hung peaked at well over hundred in the mid-nineties. Over the years the baskets have survived everything that an English summer can throw at them and it is one of the things that visitors to the Town remember. After all those years the Chamber of Commerce decided that they would no longer organise the hanging of the baskets and the responsibility was taken over by New Alresford Town Council in 2007.

Everybody agreed that last years display was excellent and it was mainly due to out dedicated team of waterers, Andrew Black, Ian Cornick and Roy Wyeth who braved all weathers, as well as water browser breakdowns, to ensure that the baskets were fed and watered.

If any resident, in the Town Centre has not been asked or received a flyer and wish to have a basket they should contact the Town Office on 01962 732079 - the cost is again £35.00 which includes watering and feeding for the whole season.

Last year the Town Council was able to obtain sponsorship from Geest, Keats, Marshall Bendall and Warwick Trailers towards the cost of the watering and we are hoping they will be as generous this year

For the first time last year every lamp post in Broad Street was adorned with an "Up-the-Pole" planter and three of the lamp posts in West Street were also decorated together with the sole lamp post in East Street. We are very grateful to the sponsors, listed left and we would be pleased to here from anybody who is prepared to sponsor an "Up the Pole", for £60.00 in 2008.

Allotments

The Council has managed to obtain a lease on land adjoining the existing allotments to satisfy the waiting list for more plots. The land will be sufficient to satisfy all those on the waiting list albeit each will be limited to half a plot. It is hoped that the preliminary work will be completed shortly ready for the new planting season in April.

Petanque

The Council has agreed to the provision of a Petanque terrain, suitable for team and match play, to be provided at Arlebury Park. The cost will be funded from the Open Spaces Fund (a pot of money provided by developers) and hopefully a grant from Hampshire Playing Fields Association. The terrain, which will be open to all members of the community, should be completed in the Autumn.

Arlebury Park Facility

The Town Council's proposed formal financial arrangement with Arlebury Park Sports and Social Club could not be completed by the Club and has now been over taken by events which mean it cannot now be completed. However, notwithstanding this the facility will be re-opened in early September for the use of the wider community as well as for the existing sports and social clubs.

Grants Awarded from the 2006/7 Budget

The General & Policy Committee have awarded the following grants.

• Alresford Society - £500 - towards the restoration of the Eel House
• St. John's Church - £250 - towards clock repairs
• Don Perin's Tennis - £763 - towards Tennis Kit
• Alresford Christmas Tree - £600 - towards Christmas Event
• Burial Ground - £1100
• Football Association - £50

At the Town Council Meeting on 6 March it was agreed that the following additional grants would be made this Financial Year

• Eel House Restoration - £2000
• Town Trust Mini-bus appeal - £1000
• Community Centre - £3500

Discharge of Sewage into The Itchen

The Town Council has written a letter of objection to the Environment Agency regarding the discharge of sewage into the River Itchen. We now understand that the Environment Agency has delayed making a decision on this matter until well into the summer. The delay has been caused as Natural England, one of the statutory consultees, has asked for ecological assessments to be made.

Design Statement

In consultation with residents New Alresford Town Council has over the last two years been preparing a Design Statement for the town. A design statement is a supplementary planning document that is produced with the residents and reflects what they would like to see considered in future planning applications. The Design Statement is in its final draft form and has been submitted for public comment. The public consultation lasted for six weeks and closed last year. The final document will be published shortly and will be available for inspection here at that time.