Bishop's Waltham Parish Council
Annual Report April 2010 – February 2011

Tourism, Community & Environment Committee Report - Chairman’s Report

The Tourism, Community and Environment Committee have had another busy year and I was very privileged to be elected as Chairman in June.

Among the projects completed by the Committee this year are:

• New kissing gates on footpath from the end of Tangier Lane to the Avenue and improvements to the footpath from Leopold Drive to Priory Park. The Committee was able to undertake these works following a grant for half the costs from the HCC Countryside Access department.
• New map board showing the local walks purchased and installed at the Basingwell Street car park, organised by the Parish Rights of Way Officer, Ruth Shields.
• New directional signs to indicate the local shops and parking.
• New seats and benches were installed in and around the parish.

Ruth Shields has continued in her role as the Parish’s Rights of Way Officer. Ruth has provided regular updates to the Committee on the local footpaths and has liaised with Hampshire County Council’s to arrange improvements when required. Thank you Ruth for all your hard work it is much appreciated.

In July the Committee set up a working party to consider aesthetic improvements to the St George’s Square area. The name of the project soon became the ‘Village Approach’ and grew to include the verges along the B2177 and the Crown Inn. Discussions were held with the Chamber of Trade, WCC Landscapes and Hampshire Highways to draw up plans that could be implemented by the Council.

The first part of the plan was to dig a new flower bed on the verge alongside the pathway leading into the town and to install a Bishop’s Waltham sign in due course. The Committee has also appointed a contractor to refurbish the bus shelter.

A meeting was held with the landlord of the Crown Inn and Punch Taverns to consider what could be done to improve the building. Discussions on this matter are ongoing with the assistance of Winchester City Council’s Heritage Officer.

The Village Approach Working Party is also investigating the possibility of a new structure, provisionally called The Meeting Place, to be installed in the area.

Upcoming projects for 2011/12 include:

• Community Day and Volunteer Awards in September
• 2 new bus shelters for the Winchester Road
• Further work with the youth organisations in the town
• Continued support for the Chamber of Trade and their markets
• Participation in the Winchester 2012 Torch Relay to mark the Olympic Games
• Possible event to celebrate the Queens’ Jubilee

Finally, I would like to end this report by thanking all of the Committee members for their support and Steph Andrews for taking on the role of Clerk to the Committee (no easy task!).

Cllr Mrs Rona Pickering
February 2011