Haven Visitor Centre. The text below is a summary of an update circulated today by the THCH Trustees to those on the THCH circulation list.
We met with Councillor Russell Oppenheimer and officers in Winchester yesterday afternoon. Councillor Oppenheimer had definitely understood the strength of opinion which you have all expressed in the vast number of emails he had received. He had also recently met with the Leader Cllr Humby, the Deputy Leader Cllr Chadd and the Executive Member for Universal Services Cllr Adams King: they too had taken note of the strength of opinion conveyed in your emails. He had also met with Cllr Woodward who repeated strongly the views included in the letter he and the two MPs had sent last week (see www.thcommunityhub.org.uk Latest News).
The less good news is that Haven House will be going on the market by the end of this week with Savills estate agents. To be honest, we always expected that would be the case so we were far from surprised to have it confirmed. They expect to assess what bids they have received within six to eight weeks.
However, our bid - the original one submitted 13 June with the additional proposals sent in on 14 September - will 'remain on the table' to be compared with what they receive via Savills. Councillor Oppenheimer and the officers requested some clarification of aspects of our bid and we will be glad to supply that. An important part of that is the description of the community benefits which would be achieved if Hampshire were to agree the sale - at less than market value - to THCH. They have also asked us to send information showing our 'confidence levels' about raising the funds necessary to both purchase and refurbish Haven House. We feel able to indicate that our confidence levels are high, thanks to all of you.
For reasons which we frankly do not understand, Councillor Oppenheimer and the officers remain of the view that it would be far better for them to continue with their plan of putting visitor reception and staff facilities in a new building in the back yard, rather than continue to use the existing entrance, plus the room we have offered for staff. This seems particularly incomprehensible in the light of Hampshire’s well publicised financial difficulties, since our proposal would not only save them capital but would generate far higher visitor numbers and the resulting revenue
It is difficult to know what message to leave you with, as it is more than possible that Hampshire may receive some extremely attractive offers for Haven House and they may well settle with a private buyer. But the door has at least been left open a crack for THCH and we shall continue to do all we can to press our case.
Local Police Stations. As some will already be aware, the Hampshire and IOW Police Commissioner Donna Jones has just announced that under her drive to make the Police more visible and accessible, 10 police stations will be opened/reopened over the next 18 months, all with "front counters" for direct access by members of the public; a rise from 13 to 23 across the Constabulary. Locally, they will include ours at Park Gate as well as Gosport, Portsmouth Central and Cosham.
Overgrowing Vegetation. You may recall that we alerted our councillors to overgrowing vegetation along Crofton Lane and an adjacent road that was impeding the safe passage of mobility scooters and pushchairs. We understand that the houseowners concerned were all asked to take the necessary action and it is very pleasing to see how quick the response has been. Many thanks to our councillors and to the residents concerned. Do contact Hampshire County Council if you encounter further such problems.
Postal Collections. As we reported some weeks ago, the time of last collections from local post boxes has been changed. Although the notice on the post box gives (or at least implies) 09.00 as being the collection time Monday – Friday, in fact the collection is made by the posties who deliver; you can therefore estimate the approximate collection time as more or less matching your delivery time. On Saturday, however, it is earlier, though whether it is the 07.00 shown on the box, who knows?
Consultations. There are no new consultations. The Hampshire consultation on care in the community/care homes continues until 12 November. The link is -
Scams.
- Fraudsters on Facebook. If something on offer seems too good to be true .....; or if you are pressurised to pay immediately ...... Ideally try to look fo a local seller so that you can see your potential purchase first. Especially if from a distance, avoid paying by bank transfer, ask to use a credit card and if they won't accept that then.....
- "Temporary Promotion act now.....Top Deal.......Your £500 VISA card is reserved........ " Oh yes?
- From "Halifax" - "We have noticed some discrepancies in your account........etc" Well, I don't actually have a Halifax account! As usual, the clue is in the sender's address; plus it doesn't address you personally by name, which your genuine bank/building society would.
- Again "We've-BEEN-trying-to-reach-you .....etc". Very poorly composed so unlikely to fool many.
- And still lots and lots of the old ones!