Month: August 2023

When discussing planning applications with residents, councilors must adhere to specific rules and guidelines to ensure transparency, fairness, and ethical behavior. These rules help maintain the integrity of the decision-making process and prevent potential conflicts of interest. Sometimes councillors have a dual role as both Councilor and a member of the Planning Committee, there is a clear obligation to keep an open mind.

Addressing residents’ planning concerns while avoiding bias is crucial for maintaining trust, transparency, and fairness in the decision-making process. There are strategies that help us when meeting with residents’ without becoming biased:

Avoid bias	Listen to the residents!
Maintain Confidentiality	Transparency
Avoid Predetermination	Keep clear records
Equality	Be Accurate & Factual
Keep up to date	Clear communication

There are a range of rules and regulations that govern the processing and decision-making of planning applications. Our most recent training session in Havant was last month. For Councillors keeping up to date with planning training is essential as well as being familiar with local planning policy and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework–2

It is essential to acknowledge that the intricacies of planning applications do not always match resident’s requirements. The process involves multiple factors, legal frameworks, and practical constraints. Understanding that outcomes may not always match local preferences is essential in building a constructive dialogue.

To sum up, the planning process plays an indispensable role in shaping the future of our community. It is a delicate balance between accommodating a sense of belonging, growth and preserving Hayling Island’s unique character. Our role is to help towards a fair and informed decision-making process. By being objective, active listening, helps us to engage with residents who have concerns regarding planning applications.

Below is a quick link that will enable residents to follow the process of a particular application.

https://planningpublicaccess.havant.gov.uk/online-applications/

Today, we would like to share a practice that’s close to our hearts it is a fundamental part of a local councillor’s role —door knocking. This simple yet powerful act of reaching out to local residents on their doorstep has proved time and again to be a source of meaningful connections, insights, and positive change.

The Courage to Knock: Door knocking might seem like a daunting task at first. After all, it involves stepping out of our comfort zones and engaging with residents on a personal level. But as we have found in the past, it’s precisely this courage that leads to some of the most rewarding experiences in community service.

A Personal Touch: In a world where email, texting, and other forms of social media rule there’s something personal and friendly about meeting face-to-face. By knocking on doors, we show that we care enough to take the time to listen, to understand concerns, and to offer support. It’s a reminder that real connections are built through real conversations.

A Warm Welcome: Last week we had the pleasure of visiting several new families, all new(ish) residents of Pebble Walk the new housing development of Hayling; considering we just knocked their doors and started a conversation the enthusiasm and warmth we received was heartwarming.

We met individuals from various professions, and walks of life, all with one common thread: the desire to find a sense of belonging and contribute positively to our shared home.

Listening is key, whether it’s about their reasons for choosing our community, their aspirations, or concerns, every conversation provides valuable insights. Helping us to better understand the evolving needs of the community and giving us the opportunity to build trust and advocate for initiatives that truly make a difference.

Bridge Building: We believe that building bridges between long-time residents and newcomers is essential for fostering unity and cooperation. It was great to hear that these new residents felt welcome and were joining in local activities such as supporting the local amateur theatre, or runnng yoga classes in the community centre

Empowering the Community: Giving residents a voice, by door knocking and listening  we hear their opinions  and ideas help to shape the decisions we make as councillors aiming to reflect residents needs

Looking Ahead: As we continue to grow and evolve as a community, we are committed to ensuring that both our newcomers and existing residents feel not only welcome but also integral to the progress we aim for, to make Hayling an even better place to live, work, and thrive.

In the coming weeks, we will be hitting the streets to knock on your doors, hear your stories, and engage in the conversations that matter; residents are the heartbeat of the community and councillors are here to listen.

We would like to say ‘thank you’ to all of you who have taken the time to read our blog, as your local councillors we appreciate your engagement and interest in the issues and updates we share. It’s your support that fuels our community’s progress and makes our efforts worthwhile.

Havant Council has the ‘human touch’

On 27^th July Havant Borough Council agreed to develop an annual award scheme recognising the very best achievements of residents within the borough.

Councillor Leah Turner proposed an annual Honourable Havant Citizen award to recognise the dedication of individuals and community organisations in making the borough a better place.

A cross-party Civic Board will be established – not only to develop the award and its related processes, but also assess future Freedom of the borough nominations.

Councillor Alex Rennie – Leader of the Council – said:

Councillor Alex Rennie – Leader of the Council – said:“There are so many outstanding residents in the Borough that go above and beyond in making our area a better place to live work and visit. I’m therefore delighted to see that residents and community organisations will be recognised for their contributions to making the borough a better place and I welcome this fantastic initiative proposed by Councillor Turner, with cross party support. The wide range of ways in which people help others will be celebrated, highlighting their kindness and dedication to the borough”.

Meet your friendly West Hayling Councillors, Julie Richardson and Brenda Linger both are armed with a passion for their sunny (sometimes) island as local councillors we love the sense of community and improve the daily lives of residents.  

We feel it is important for residents to understand the role of their local councillor so that they can better communicate their needs and concerns. At its very core, the role is about representing people, to act on their behalf in an official capacity and contribute to making decisions that benefit the local area and community

Summary of the Councillor role:

Responsibilities:

• Engaging with their constituents.
• Address local issues.
• Take decisions that benefit their community.
• Attending council meetings
• Committee work

Description of the Councillor role: (How we do our work)

Policy Making: Councillors are involved in shaping local policies and strategies. They work with other councillors and council officers to develop plans for areas such as housing, transportation, education, social services, environmental issues, and more.

Decision Making: Councillors participate in council meetings where they vote on various issues, proposals, and budgets that affect the borough. They are responsible for making informed decisions that align with the best interests of their constituents and the wider community.

Scrutiny and Oversight: Councillors play a crucial role in scrutinizing the actions of the local authority. They review council decisions, policies, and services to ensure they are effective, efficient, and accountable.

Community Engagement: This is a vital responsibility of a borough councillor, attending public events, resident’s meetings, and surgeries to interact with residents, understand their needs, and provide support and guidance.

 Supporting Local Initiatives: Councillors aim to support local initiatives, community projects, and events that improve the borough and enhance the well-being of its residents.

Advocacy: Borough councillors may advocate for specific issues or causes that they are passionate about. They work with local organisations, businesses, and residents to promote positive change and address community concerns.

Constituent Services: Councillors provide assistance and guidance to individual constituents who seek help with issues related to council services, local facilities, or government policies.

 Committee Work: Councillors serve on various council committees, where they specialise in specific areas of interest or expertise.

 Community Planning: local community planning is key, ensuring that the borough’s future development and growth are in line with the needs and wishes of the residents whilst meeting the legal requirements of Government.

However, being a councillor is not all meetings and paperwork. One of the advantages of living on Hayling Island is being part of a strong community. There are interest groups to suit all ages. There are numerous voluntary groups who provide important services to the community, from luncheon clubs for the elderly, youth clubs, veteran support groups, horticulture, choirs, and boxing, to name but a few.

Being a councillor isn’t all plain sailing. Budget constraints and balancing different interests can make life in politics challenging We are constantly learning and know that the key to any success is listening, understanding, compromise, and putting the needs of the island’s community first.

On a final note, if you are a resident, and you want to discuss your concerns, ideas, projects or just want to meet us, please make contact, we welcome the opportunity.

We aim to make Hayling Island a great place to live!!

Email:

Brenda.linger@havant.gov.uk

Julie.richardson@havant.gov.uk