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← Wallington Village Community Association

2025-03-31-accounts

WALLINGTON VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Registered Charity No 1038479 31[st] ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 4 June, 2024

AGENDA

Tuesday 4 June at 7.30 p.m.

1. Apologies

2. Adoption of minutes of the 30[th] AGM – 21 June 2023

3. Summary Reports

Treasurer’s

Hall

Communications

Planning Issues

4. Formal adoption of reports

5. Election of Officers and Executive Committee members (2024-25)

6. Date of next year’s AGM – Tuesday 3 June 2025

7. Short talk on the local ecology – Cmdr Tony Norris

Break for refreshments

8. Flood resilience – Katie Gill and Coastal Partnership

9. Neighbourhood police officer – PC Peter Hunns

AGM 2023

WALLINGTON VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Registered Charity No 1038479

MINUTES OF 30[th] ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

20 JUNE 2023

Present : R. Kew (Chair); P. Trott (Treasurer); D. Kett (Secretary); C. Morgan (Hall), G Boulding (Hall and Walkround); Sally Dixon (Hall and Planning); R. Hooper (Planning); S. Hatten (Membership and Street Reps); Cllr K. Trott, Cllr D. Hamilton and 23 members.

Apologies: K. Howell (Communications)

The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.35pm .

1. Minutes of 2022 AGM:

Proposed by Cherry Harnett and seconded by Graham Boulding that the minutes were an accurate record of the meeting and should be adopted as such. Carried unanimously.

There were no matters arising from those minutes.

2. Tribute to Sue Morse

The Chairman began by paying tribute to Sue Morse and offering condolences to her family. Sue had died in April and had been a very active member of the WVCA for over 10 years. Initially, she had joined the Fete Committee but then become active in all areas of the WVCA’s work – organising numerous events, both social and environmental. She had led the annual walkround with members and officers from FBC, Hampshire Highways and the Environment Agency. She also played an active role on the hall Subcommittee. Sue was a great organiser and had great charm. She will be greatly missed by her friends and the WVCA.

3. Summary of Reports:

Written reports from the Chairman, the Treasurer, Hall Sub-committee, Communications (Facebook and Mailchimp) (Once in a While and Website), Planning Matters, and Social and Entertainment were submitted to the meeting.

The Chairman then summarised the reports for the benefit of the meeting:

3.1 Chairman’s Report

Thanks

The Chairman began by thanking the members of the Executive; the Once in a While team and the members of the committees and the street reps.

1

AGM 2023

A number of major applications had been made for land in the village. The WVCA planning group had submitted comments on all of them and FBC planning committee had rejected all applications relating to housing.

Welborne Development had finally been given the go ahead and groundwork for the early phases had begun.

The Fareham Local Plan had finally received approval and had been adopted by the Council. None of the green spaces around Wallington had been identified as being suitable for housing development and it was to be hoped that no further such applications would be submitted.

The WVCA had supported street events for both the late Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and for the Coronation of King Charles.

Other events supported included: wine tasting, Christmas Carols, Craft Fairs, regular Lunch Clubs, writing and scarecrow competitions.

Forthcoming events include: a murder mystery, wine tasting and Christmas festivities.

WVCA events are organised by a small team who work tirelessly and more volunteers are desperately required.

As part of project organised by the East Hampshire Catchment Partnership, the Chairman and Arthur Hackney attended a training session on how to record the quality of local rivers. It is hoped that they will start regular recording over the next few months and that the results will provide a base line from which the impact of future developments like Welborne can be monitored.

In a spring storm, the Willow Tree, opposite the Cob and Pen, had been brought down. Following quick response from local residents and our ward Councillor and consultation between Hampshire Highways and Fareham’s Tree Team, it was agreed that in the autumn a Pyrus Chanticleer (an ornamental pear) will be planted by Hampshire Highways to replace it.

The annual Walkround, led by Graham Boulding, is due to take place at the end of June. The WVCA recognises the current financial constraints of the public bodies, thanks those officers and members who take part and hopes that together we can work to improve the environment.

Encouraging plans drawn up by specialists on behalf of the landowner to conserve and protect the Water Meadow (a designated Site of Importance for Nature Conservation) had been received but to date no further progress has been achieved.

2

AGM 2023

Great news for the village is that both pubs remain and in recent months the ownership of the White Horse has changed and new landlords have taken over.

3.2 Treasurer’s Report 2022-2023

The Treasurer summarised his Financial Report:

From the floor:

3

AGM 2023

There were no other matters arising from the reports and it was proposed by C Harnett and seconded by A. Taylor that the reports should be adopted. Carried unanimously.

4. Minor Amendments to the Constitution

The Secretary explained that as required by para 1 Section U of the WVCA Constitution the intention to make minor amendments had been made in the Notice calling the AGM. and the motion laying out the changes was listed in the Agenda

Katrina Trott proposed these amendments be adopted, seconded by Pam Crowe – passed unanimously.

5. Election of Officers and Committee Members:

The list of nominees was put to the meeting and there being 9 nominees for 13 vacancies there was no need for an election. C. Harnett proposed and G. Knight seconded that the list of nominees be accepted. Carried unanimously.

OFFICERS NAME PROPOSED SECONDED
Chairman Russell Kew J. Ellis S. Kett.
Hon Secretary
David Kett		 E. Hooper S. Hodnett
Hon Treasurer
Peter Trott		 S. Lloyd A. Taylor
COMMITTEE
Graham Boulding G. Thorne C. Thorne
Sally Dixon A. Taylor J. Walker
Sarah Hatten S. Loyd D. Brockington-Hill
Ron Hooper C. Weeks M. Weeks
Kate Howell A. Baker K. Baker
Chris Morgan J. Phelan A. Marney

6. Date of next year’s AGM

Next year’s AGM will be held on Tuesday 18 June 2024 at 7.30 p.m.

There being no other business the Chairman closed the formal part of the meeting at 8.00 p.m.

4

AGM 2023

WELBORNE

Fiona Gray, Project Director, Buckland Development gave a presentation on Welborne Garden Village.

Buckland Development had been established in 2006 to represent the Southwick Estate and the Thistlewayte Family who own much of the land around Southwick. The team is based in Winchester and as it is not a speculative development, it can adopt a holistic approach. It is a legacy project which Buckland is determined to be a success.

Initially there will be up to 6,000 homes and it is expected to take 25 years to complete. There will be parks, woodlands, playgrounds, shops, business premises and employment opportunities. Outline planning application was submitted in 2017 and agreed in 2019.

Phase 1 will be north of Knowle road with an entrance on the A32 and detailed planning applications will now follow. The building will be undertaken by three regional building companies.

Neighbourhoods – there will be 14 neighbourhoods, all with their own design codes. The Village Centre should be completed by 2026.

Street manual – has been agreed and there will be grass verges, trees, front gardens. A not-for-profit Garden Village Trust will look after the verges and the trees. 1,200 trees have already been planted, together with the construction of a badger home. About 50% of the area will open space – woodlands, parks, commons, playgrounds, sportsgrounds and playgrounds

River Wallington – there should not be any additional water flow from the development as Welborne will have a sustainable urban drainage system (SuDS).

Motorway Junction – Hampshire County Council is the delivery body for the four-way junction. HCC has appointed a contractor and the Government has provided £41million, in the form of a loan.

Social infrastructure – one secondary school and three primary schools are planned.

The official website is: https://welborne.co.uk/

Contributions from the floor

The Chairman thanked Fiona Gray for her informative talk and the meeting closed just before 9.00 pm.

5

Chairman's Report AGM 2024

As I reflect on a busy year for the WVCA, I first wish to thank all the members of the committee who give up their time on a voluntary basis to support the residents of Wallington.

We have seen several changes in personnel over the last year, Chris Morgan decided to retire after 15 years, much of the time leading the Hall Committee, my sincere thanks go to him for the huge amount of time he has given to the WVCA. The hall manager Geoff Knipe decided to leave and again our thanks go to him for looking after the hall for many years.

We have a new team looking after the Hall with Sarah Hatten taking on the role of Chair of the Hall Committee and Hayley Tod looking after the administration with David Ware taking on the caretaking role. We are really pleased to welcome them and look forward to working together to ensure we protect this valuable asset.

I also wish to thank Katrina Trott who has been the council’s political representative on the WVCA executive for nearly 20 years. She has been our hard-working ward councillor throughout this time and an assiduous supporter of the WVCA. Katrina decided not to stand for re-election at the recent council elections and will therefore step down at the AGM from from her role on the WVCA Exec.

It is with great pleasure I can advise you that we have two new members of the executive committee and I welcome Clare Weeks and Mirna Scrivens. We are always looking for new recruits, if you aren't sure, feel free to attend one of our meetings as an observer and you can make up your mind, without pressure.

The planning applications for significant residential and further industrial development on the few remaining green areas surrounding the village continue to be made by developers. A separate report details the action the WVCA has taken during 2023-24. I noted that much comment has been made about ensuring sufficient green space be made available in the Welborne applications. I do hope the council’s planning committee and officers consider the same protection for the land surrounding Wallington.

Throughout the year, we have been in contact with Abdrn the owners of the Water Meadow and have recently been informed the person responsible has once again changed. We have a meeting booked to meet them in late May.

I am asking for volunteer(s) to help lead and improve our communications through various social media streams, email etc. Can anyone who is interested please contact either myself or David Kett our secretary? I wish to thank those involved in the publication of OIAW magazine and most importantly those who provide the material.

The finances of the WVCA remain healthy and while the surplus of £5,767 is down on last year, it is important to note that a major overhaul of the Hall policies and procedures was undertaken during this period with the help of an excellent consultant. The aim remains to make a small surplus each year and to ensure the facilities are kept in good order so local community groups and residents can access the facilities at a reasonable cost.

My thanks go to Peter Trott who has kept a close eye on the finances for the last 8 years,

sadly Peter has decided to step down at the AGM in June.

The village walkround has been organised with a multi-agency and political representative group for the end of June 2024. Graham Boulding continues to regularly chase the relevant authorities to repair or maintain areas around the village that require attention.

The village had an extremely lucky escape from flooding on the night of 8th April 2024. The EA issued a flood warning that afternoon for an imminent flood event expected around midnight. This turned out to be the highest tide ever recorded in Portsmouth Harbour. The river wall was breached for about 20 minutes and Wallington Shore Road was flooded. Fortunately, no lasting damage occurred, the flood defence just held. This was a once in a 200-year event, which means we are likely to see further issues in the coming years. I urge all residents to take the "Flood Warning" seriously and to use their flood gates and move cars to higher ground. If residents ignore the warning and significant damage were to occur to properties and cars, they may find the insurers refuse to provide full cover. We are expecting a member of the EA to attend the AGM where they will give a short presentation and take questions.

The WVCA supported various social events during the year and the Christmas events and Craft fares were well attended. The wine tasting evening proved as popular as ever and my thanks go to all the team who work to put these events on.

I look forward to seeing as many residents as possible at the AGM, there will be short presentations from the local police officer and a member of the EA.

Russell Kew

Wallington Village Community Association

Financial Statements

for the year ending

31 March 2024

Tuesday, 2 April 2024

Wallington Village Community Association

Accou nts for the year to 31 March 2024

Accounts for the year to 31 March 2024 Accounts for the year to 31 March 2024
1. Receipts & Payments Account
Income
Year ending
31 March 2024
£
£		 Year ending
31 March 2023
£
£
Income Receipts
Hiring of Hall
Gift Aid Tax refund
Membership Subs
Adverts (+ membership-’22)
Social Activities
Local Government Grants
Environmental projects
Allotment
56508.64
373.06
1837.55
0.00
2291.81
0.00
0.00
289.99		 51812.19
443.53
2106.65
0.00
998.00
0.00
0.00
189.05
61,301.05 55,549.42
Fundraising income
Donations
Annual Draw
0.00
0.00		 0.00
0.00
0.00 0.00
Investment income
Interest & dividends
2,578.89 4,085.88
2,578.89 4,085.88
TOTAL RECEIPTS 63,879.94 59,635.30
Payments
Hall running costs & insurance
Social Activities
Water meadow
Environmental projects
Administration
Once In A While
Allotment
39856.76
4555.26
0.00
433.03
9393.31
3869.00
5.60		 36809.57
4006.17
0.00
388.40
3089.50
3083.00
1431.95
TOTAL PAYMENTS 58,112.96 48,808.59
Grossincome/expenditure for the year 5,766.98 10,826.71
Net payments/receipts for the year 5,766.98 10,826.71
Cash& Bank balances at 31 March 2023 115,206.91 104,380.20
Cash& Bank balances at 31 March 2024 120,973.89 115,206.91
Interest accruing to investments not taken to bank account 2,945.07 Assets pg 2
Totalmonetary assets 123,918.96

Page 1

Tuesday, 2 April 2024

Wallington Village Community Association

Accounts for the year to 31 March 2024

2. Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 March 2024

Year ending Year ending Year ending
31 March 2024 31 March 2023
Assets NOTES £ £ £ £
Monetary Assets
Bank & Cash Balances
Ecology Building Society 21,596.73 11,121.44
United Trust Bank Account 49,960.13 48,094.78
United Trust Bank 3 yr Bond 21,971.09 21,537.58
United Trust Bank 120 day Tracker 10,171.92 0.00
Lloyds Current Account 19,976.02 33,315.58
Lloyds No 2 Account Lloyds No 2 Account 133.94 789.45
Cash Account 109.13 348.08
123,918.96 115,206.91
Investments
IFSL/CAF Equity growth fund 118,613.21 116,823.81
(Valuation 05 Oct 2023) (Valuation 05 Oct 2023) (Valuation 05 Oct 2023)
Total Monetary Assets 242,532.17 232,030.72
Non-Monetary Assets
Buildings - Valuation 23 October 2020 1,568,905.00 1,568,905.00
Fixtures & fittings
Brought forward, reduced by 10% ught forward, reduced by 10% ught forward, reduced by 10% 63,394.71 70,438.57
Additions & replacements 0.00 0.00
63,394.71 70,438.57
Prepayments and receivables payments and receivables
Gift aid to be recovered (Est) 0.00 275.00
0.00 275.00
Total Non Monetary Assets 1,632,299.71 1,639,618.57
Total Assets 1,874,831.88 1,871,649.29
Liabilities
Prior Years liabilities outstanding 0.00 0.00
New liabilities 2023/2024 New liabilities 2023/2024 0.00 0.00
Total Liabilities 0.00 0.00
3. Analysis of Funds **Restricted ** Unrestricted Total Total
Hall Rebuild (add £5000pa) l Rebuild (add £5000pa) 5,131.80 134,868.20 140,000.00 135,000.00
Hall Maintenance 0.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00
Water Meadow (add £1200pa) 2,363.18 32,239.76 34,602.94 33,402.94
General Reserve 0.00 47,929.23 47,929.23 43,627.78
Total Funds 7,494.98 235,037.19 242,532.17 232,030.72

Tuesday, 2 April 2024

Page 2

Treasurer’s Report 2023/24

1. Gross income/expenditure

The financial statements for this year show gross income over expenditure for the year of £5,767 compared to £10,827 last year. Since the Coronavirus pandemic, village hall income has recovered and is close to pre-pandemic levels. A management consultant was employed during the FY and we have undertaken a major overhaul of our procedures and practices pertaining to the operation of the hall.

2. Income

Overall income for the year was £63,880 another further improvement over last year’s £59,635. Hall activities continue to improve, resulting in this higher income. No further government grants have been received.

3. Payments

Payments for the year have increased to £58,113 over the 2023 figure of £48,809. The increase is in part continuing level of non-profit making social activities, including; craft fairs, wine tasting, Murder Mystery evening to name but a few. We have also employed, as part of the management restructuring, a Hall Caretaker, a Hall Administrator and a regular cleaner.

4. Cash reserves

5. Treasurer’s summary – allocation of reserves

Hall rebuild fund:

Hall maintenance fund:

Water Meadow fund:

Although some of the funds have been designated for particular purposes by the trustees, most of the funds available to the Association are unrestricted reserves. A total of £235,037 can be re-designated at the agreement of the trustees to cover any requirement the WVCA may have.

The WVCA continues to be in a good position with regard to the level of reserves it holds and is well placed to cope with any unforeseen costs or loss of income that may occur in future years.

6. Independent Examination of the Accounts

An examination of the accounts, including these statements, has been undertaken by an independent examiner. His report is attached to the AGM Agenda.

Peter Trott Treasurer WVCA

HALL REPORT

Last year saw the resignation of Geoff Knipe who had served for many years as the Hall Manager, and we offer him our sincere thanks.

In the interim period of finding a replacement, Tracy Clarke kindly took the opportunity to review our policies and structure and set us on a good path of dotting i’s and crossing t’s with updated policies and procedures – copies of which are available on our website.

During this time the hall admin/booking and invoicing system was managed by Chris and Pat Morgan. The WVCA wish to express their gratitude and thanks to both of them for taking on this task and running the hall so well.

It was agreed by the Exec to divide the roles of running the hall into two – an administrator and a caretaker – both part time and both started in December. Once all the changes had been completed, Chris decided to take his leave both as Hall Committee Chairman and as a member of the WVCA Exec. He had undertaken these roles for 15 years and these are big shoes to fill for his replacement. The WVCA have expressed their sincere thanks to both Pat and Chris for their dedication and commitment to the village.

The new team to replace Chris and Geoff are:

Hayley Tod - Part time Hall Administrator

David Ware - Part time Caretaker

Sarah Hatten - Volunteer WVCA Hall Chairman

Tarcia - Cleaner

With the new team in place the hall has seen many changes and there are more to come. In no particular order, the work that that has been undertaken are:

Hayley has completely reorganised the office and associated booking and email systems. She has updated all the notice boards in the hall giving clear information for users. She has organised inductions with all the Trusted Users (about 40 of them) to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities and Health and Safety requirements. They were all offered defibrillator training which was undertaken by over 30 people in the last couple of months. A signed log of all keyholders has also been produced.

David, the caretaker has decorated the interior of the hall, ensuring significant savings to the village rather than hiring in external painters as we have done previously. In addition with a few volunteers, he has coordinated the clearing of clutter in the attic and an updated inventory has been produced. The kitchen cupboards have been cleaned and contents arranged in order with new supplies for children’s use, new kettles and other items. All equipment has been cleaned and, where required, had safety inspections undertaken.

He is now making a start on the garden around the hall but needs to wait for the nesting season to finish before cutting back the larger bushes. Plans for hanging baskets and annual plants are being looked at after requests from some villagers.

We are very fortunate in how flexible Tarcia is able to be, reviewing the bookings each day and cleaning the hall at different times depending on its availability, with this often being done in the early hours or late at night.

Hayley, David and Tarcia have been praised by existing and new hall users for their professional and friendly approach and comments continue to be heard on how clean and tidy the hall is.

Additional updates and changes for the hall are:

Our yearly increase in room hire rates were introduced from 1 April, with discounted rates continuing for WVCA members and regular users.

A new computer and printer is now in situ and up and running. They replaced the very slow and time-consuming old system. Our thanks go to John Haynes who voluntarily sourced the best systems for us and installed the systems.

A review is happening on the current heating systems as some hall users are having difficulty using the current operations - more information on this when this has been actioned.

Hayley and Mike Tod, Clare and Mike Weeks and Sarah met with a supplier to have a demonstration on a new proposed security system which will ensure that the hall is protected when not being used and will provide a new electronic system for accessing the hall. More information will be shared when the system is agreed and in place.

A new AV system is being purchased to include a new projector and sound system, with the aim that this is much simpler and more up-to-date than the current system which is proving very complicated for our range of hall users. Four quotes were requested and three received, all very similar in price. Mark Hobbs has also reviewed and given his recommendation. Following the request from WVCA Exec, references are being obtained from the selected provider and we hope the new system will be installed over the quieter summer period.

Health and Safety requirements are up to date. One outstanding fire exit sign is to be serviced when the hall is free of clients so that the electricity can be turned off. All electrical equipment has been PAT tested and gas appliances have been checked.

Financial

Reports on Hallmaster based on current bookings, are forecasting an income of £49,985 for Jan to Dec 2024 and £23,000 already for the calendar year of 2025.

Sarah Hatten

Chair of Hall Committee

COMMUNICATIONS REPORTS – 2023-24

One of the aims of the WVCA is to ensure everything we do is communicated fully to the members so that all of our work can be of benefit to those who live in the village. It has been challenging to always get this right, and we are looking for additional support on the Communications team to help us with the administration that goes into our Communications channels. If you are Facebook Savvy or can spare an hour here or there to help with the village emails, please do let me know.

In addition to our magazine, Once In A While, we use electronic communication and old-fashioned word of mouth with chats with the Street Reps.

The main channels of electronic communication are the Facebook page and group, the village email-mail chimp and our website. We recognise that not everyone wishes to use social media and an aim of the comms team is to ensure both Facebook and Mailchimp platforms receive the same communications.

FACEBOOK

There are two ways to interact with us on Facebook. The village Facebook page "Wallington Village Community Association" has 538 people following it. We also have a group where residents can discuss local issues; "Wallington Village residents" . This group has 520 people, not all of them regular posters. A real benefit of this platform is that we can hear what matters to people in the village, from the arrival of the cygnets to someone offering their car to take a teenager to a prom...it is a lovely place where community matters are discussed. I am supported in the administration of the Facebook page by Tara Brockington-Hill, Alice Tilley, Suzy Jones and Sarah Hatten. Our primary rule in the group is kindness and we are fortunate that breaching of this is rare, however the few breaches of the rules that we have had have not been tolerated.

If you are on Facebook but have not yet found us, please search us out. If you would like to sign up to Facebook to widen your community involvement, please do speak to us and we can show you the ropes.

MAILCHIMP

Mail Chimp is the name of the platform used to send village wide emails. This platform reaches 365 residents and has provided crucial updates over the recent years. If you are not yet receiving our emails, please do drop me a line and I will add you to our mailing list. You are able to unsubscribe at any time. Mail Chimp is the platform that required slightly more time dedicated to it and we are currently looking for a second person to support me with sending of emails. You don't need to have prior knowledge of the Mail Chimp platform however some technical knowhow would be helpful! If you could spare an hour or so a month, please do let me know.

Kate Howell

Face Book and Mailchimp

WEBSITE REPORT

As always, I am very grateful for the support and advice provided by Mark Hobbs who looks after the general welfare of the website as gatekeeper. He always deals speedily with problems and any updates or amendments that I can’t carry out – and he has been doing so on a voluntary basis since 2008 when he guided us in the creation of the current site.

Reference has been made almost every year in AGM reports to the website Portals – together with a note regretting the fact that they are not used as much as they could be. The three user portals News, Social Events and Environment enable information to be uploaded quickly by authorised Committee members, as well as providing a facility for uploading News Flashes on the Home Page

as and when needed. The reason for employing Portals is to remove the necessity of going through someone like Mark every time an amendment to a website is needed. In simple cases this can be for publicising upcoming social events, but WVCA responses or observations about contentious planning matters can be listed quickly, as can urgent environmental information. There is a lot of useful material on the website, but it can be indigestible without the balance of live data - and active encouragement to look at it. Portals can help to do this and enable us to be more proactive.

However, tails should not wag dogs and if it becomes clear that one software system is less userfriendly than another then change should be considered. The so-called Content Management System (CMS) that our website has used for many years is called Drupal. Like other choices, it is free to use, but it has disadvantages over some others. A strong contender for replacing Drupal is Wordpress and the change is likely to happen in the near future.

There are facilities on the existing website system which have never been explored fully – like Forums – and a change in the CMS may help to encourage this. The website needs to be an attractive and supportive partner for the magazine.

As with the OIAW we are always happy to hear suggestions for content or improvements. If there are items that you would like to see on the website or alterations to your information shown if you are an organizer of a hall user group (say) then please let us know.

Arthur Hackney Website

ONCE IN A WHILE — REPORT 2024

Firstly, the editorial team would like to thank all of our regular contributors, without whom the ‘Once In A While’ would be merely a pamphlet. Once again, countless thanks to Cherry for providing us with photographs throughout the year. Thanks, too, to all who entered our Village Writing Competition which, if I may give a gentle plug, is being repeated this year. We are also indebted to our printers, Stanbury Chameleon, for their excellent service and support throughout the production process. Lastly, I would like to thank the WVCA for their continuing support.

‘OIAW’ — A year in review . As I said in my last report, both the content and publication cycle of the magazine has followed the established cycle of village events. Carols round the village, the annual fete on the Water Meadow, the Horticultural Show, the Harvest Festival, the Village Forum and, of course, the ever-popular AGM were all covered, as well as the WVCA’s monthly social events held in the Hall. But keeping all of this activity going is difficult, and many of these events have fallen by the wayside. While it may be hoped that some events might make a return, we are thankful to Sarah and her small team of volunteers for their work on the social side, as well as to all of our clubs and groups who continue to provide entertainment and education at their regular meetings. We’ve covered and, where possible, promoted all village and club/group events. Our quest to commission more content from readers continues — all submissions will be considered for publication — and we were pleased to see the response to the Village Writing Competition, generously supported by the WVCA. As is said at every AGM, if you have any ideas for the magazine, please get in touch with the team. However, please do bear in mind that receipt is no guarantee of inclusion, that pieces may be edited/corrected and that we do not entertain party politics or personal attacks. For the benefit of all present and potential contributors, the closing date for the Summer edition is August 19th.

The bottom line. In 2023/24, the total production cost for the three editions of the magazine was £3869, with print runs of 430 (Spring), 415 (Summer) and 425 (Christmas). Included in the spring edition was a 4-page insert giving information about the varied activities and organisations regularly using the Hall – should this tempt potential enquirers! This equates to a unit cost of £3.05 per copy, which compares to a unit cost of £2.25 for the same period last year.

Production costs are offset slightly by advertising revenue. We write to our regular advertisers every February, inviting them to renew, and are always happy to field enquiries from other possible businesses – especially if they offer favourable terms for Wallington residents. However, we are always aware that a careful balance must be struck between adverts and content if the overall feel of the magazine is to be maintained. Our advertising rates are modest but are looked at periodically to ensure that they are reasonably commercial. Given that rates have not changed since 2016 and mindful that printing costs may be increased in the future, another review may be required.

In conclusion, I would like to refer readers back to the closing paragraphs of my report at last year’s AGM, as my personal views of the magazine’s present and future still apply. For those with neither the time or inclination to do so, I would urge you simply to “Get involved!”.

Steve Taylor

Editor

STREET REPS

Our valiant group of 20 Street reps who kindly volunteer to deliver membership forms, collect subscriptions and deliver the Once in a While magazines play a key role in communications with villagers and members. They are also called upon to deliver, as and when required, any urgent paper communication to all residents of Wallington.

They are the ears and eyes of the village, so if you have a concern or want to make a suggestion of what the WVCA should be doing, chat to your street rep who can channel your views back to the Executive Committee.

We have had two volunteers stand down this year and they are Kim Durrant and Adrian Fleming our thanks to them for their kindness and dedication. In their place we welcome Pauline Lamprell and Sally Dixon to whom we are very grateful for their support.

If you would like to volunteer to be a street rep please contact Sarah Hatten on 07956 840069 or by email sarah.hatten@sky.com

Sarah Hatten Membership Secretary

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----- Start of picture text -----
PLANNING MATTERS REPORT
LAND EAST OF NORTH WALLINGTON (HORSES’ FIELD)
Despite the rejection of an earlier planning application that was subsequently upheld at an Inspector’s
Enquiry, the developer, Foreman Homes, submitted a new application (FBC Reference P/23/1549/OA)
in November 2023, clearly encouraged by their belief that the issues relating to traffic and pedestrian
management, identified by the Inspector as being the basis for rejecting the original application, had
now been adequately addressed.
Many residents have submitted comments on the FBC Portal (for the most part having to restate their
grounds for objecting to the original planning application). In early April, the WVCA wrote again to
FBC highlighting:
7 that this land is not included within the FBC Local Plan for housing development;
7 the relative paucity of open spaces in Wallington (as opposed to Welborne where green spaces
appear to be a major selling point);
7 the potential risk of contamination to the drinking water supply as identified by Portsmouth
Water Company in comments submitted to FBC in January 2024;
7 clear evidence of subsidence along North Wallington road and its likely worsening as a
consequence of additional traffic; and
7 most significantly, the ‘run-off’ during periods of heavy rainfall to the river and the risk of
damage posed to houses situated a short distance downstream as a consequence of the
increased water flow.
The letter from the WVCA followed a period of extremely heavy rainfall corresponding with a record
high tide of 5.76 m during which the river overtopped the walls and reached the top of the flood bund
(a once in 200-year event according to the Environment Agency that has already occurred and is likely
to re-occur given climate change and the recent increase in abnormal storm events).
The FBC Portal currently shows that application is UNDER CONSIDERATION with a decision due before
the end of May.
PINKS HILL
Following refusal of an outline planning application to build up to 109 residential dwellings (FBC
Reference P/22/0363/OA), the developer, Vistry Group, filed an appeal with the National Planning
Inspectorate and an inquiry was scheduled for January 2024. Vistry Group withdrew their appeal in
mid-December; FBC subsequently made a formal application to the Planning Inspectorate seeking a
full award of costs from Vistry for withdrawing the appeal at alate stage and without good reason, and
were awarded circa £79,000.
While the WVCA are clearly encouraged by FBC’s refusal, and the efforts of SUEZ and the many
residents who took the time and trouble to submit their comments to FBC, we remain concerned that
the developer is simply waiting for a more favourable environment in which to submit a new
application (eg. change of government or pressure on FBC from central government to presume in
favour of new applications).
(Continued)
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MILITARY ROAD
The application by Foreman Homes to build up to 26 custom and self-build dwellings (FBC Reference
P/19/0130/OA) remains UNDER CONSIDERATION with a decision due before the end of May (although
this has changed many times). The FBC Portal shows that there has been NO correspondence relating
to this application since August 2020 although an Ecological Survey Team have recently been carrying
out surveys of the land, and a conversation between one member of the Executive and a landowner
revealed that the landowner still aspires to develop the site.
NEW EMPLOYMENT SITES
Planning applications for two new employment sites situated either side of the SUEZ site remain
UNDER CONSIDERATION with a decision due before the end of May. While these developments appear
to be less intrusive than would be the case for new homes at Pinks Hill, several issues, particularly
those concerning traffic and pedestrian safety are no less relevant. With this in mind, the WVCA will
continue to closely monitor the ongoing status of these applications.
LAND WEST OF DOWNEND
WVCA continue to monitor plans for the development of up To 600 residential dwellings, a two-form
entry primary school, and local centre (including a convenience store and community facilities) (FBC
Reference P/23/1252/EA). While not of direct concern to WVCA, there is no doubt that such a
substantial development would have a considerable impact on the infrastructure around Wallington.
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WVCA SOCIAL AND ENTERTAINMENT REPORT

Thanks go to Vicky who co-ordinates the children’s Christmas party and many others who book cheese and wine tasting and other events. Tribute must be given to Sally Dixon and Sonya Lloyd who are always by my side when organising craft fayres, the Christmas party, etc. My thanks also go to the loyal ex fete team who are always ready to help set up and clear events away - you know who you are and we are indebted to you all.

As always anyone in the village wishing to be part of the WVCA Social Group please contact me - Sarah Hatten (sarah.hatten@sky.com). Also, if you have any suggestions for future events please let me know - thank you

EVENTS HELD IN 2023

EVENTS FOR 2024

Dec 24 Carols round the village date tbc

Dec 24 Santa round the village tbc

Posters are currently being prepared to advertise many of the above events.

Sarah Hatten

NOMINATIONS FOR WVCA EXECUTIVE 2024-25

The following completed nomination forms were received:

OFFICERS NAME PROPOSED SECONDED Chairman Russell Kew E. Hooper J. Ellis Secretary David Kett B. Taylor M. Taylor Treasurer Clare Weeks M. Tod M. Weeks COMMITTEE Graham Boulding G. Thorne C. Thorne Sally Dixon A. Taylor J. Walker Sarah Hatten J. Hayward R. Boswell Ron Hooper J. Ellis P. Kew Kate Howell P. Howell S. Blackwell Mirna Scrivens K. Howell K. Trott

There being a maximum number of 13 members of the executive committee and 9 nominations, the AGM will be required to approve the above list.