About Us

Welcome to Highfield, a charming, leafy suburb of Southampton. Highfield is set in the middle of the University belt, steeped in academia, and flanked by Southampton Common on one side, and Portswood on the other.

The Highfield Residents’ Association is an active group of local residents and their families who seek to protect and preserve their environment and support their neighbours. We always welcome new members. You can join by clicking on the “Join us” leaf above and paying the annual subscription of £5.00.

If you wish to contact the HRA Secretary, you can email her on: jill.baston6@gmail.com. Alternatively, just click on the ‘Contact Us’ leaf above or email: highfieldracomms@gmail.com for general enquiries or information.

For HRA Newsletters, Committee Members, Agendas, Minutes, Blogs, the Constitution and other Local & National Residents Associations, see below.

Vice Chair’s Report of HRA Committee Meeting of Monday 8th October 2018

• The Chair welcomed everyone, including Ward Councillors Mathew Claisse & John Savage
• There were no matter arising from the previous meeting’s minutes
• University Liaison – Sarah Watts gave an update on University affairs and presented details of a new recycling scheme to encourage students to recycle correctly. To aid this the Uni is distributing dedicated recycling bags for each student household and a number were handed out to members.  SW announced that Southampton Uni was now in the top 20 for the UK and top 100 in the world rankings.  The current Vice Chancellor is to retire and a new one is being sought.  Salisbury Road is to be resurfaced and will be closed until January.  The SU Nightclub, The Cube, no longer operates, hence the withdrawal of the Marshalling scheme.
• Finance – the Chair emphasised the need to find a new Treasurer asap due to the indisposition of both the Association’s accountant and our Asst Treasurer. Discussion took place about the possibility of sharing the workload.  The Chair hoped we might find new volunteers when the pre Xmas Newsletter goes out for both a new Treasurer and Chairman?!!.
• Membership – now stands at 470 households
• Planning – in the absence of the Secretary the Chair presented her report on a number of outstanding applications. (for details see website).   JG also asked both Ward Councillors for help in ascertaining the latest position for a number of long outstanding Enforcements;  g. 5 Crofton, 8 Westridge, 12 Russell Place, all the subject of recent legal actions having to be brought by the Association.
• Website – Nadine reported it is being upgraded for access by Mobiles and Tablets.
• Newsletter – A pre Xmas edition is being prepared for the first time in some years and is being collated by Steve Johnson, Nadine and Nicolla. Articles and suggestions welcomed.  An article from the Uni will be sought.
• AOB – the Chair reminded members of the NS Community Forum AGM being held next week, Wed 17^th Oct, at the Highfield House Hotel which is being attended by a Senior member of the Planning Team, as well as other Speakers. The Library will be closed for refurbishment from 29^th Oct  – 17^th  The dangers of traffic at the southern end The Avenue was raised following another fatal accident.
• Date of next meeting – Monday 12^th November
• Meeting closed at 8.45 PM.

Jerry Gillen, Vice Chair

Vice Chair’s Report of HRA Committee Meeting of Monday 10th September 2018

* The Chair commented on the good number of attendees and welcomed a new member and Clare Diaper from October Books to the meeting.

* There were no matters arising from the August meeting

*Clare Diaper from October Books gave a presentation and presented plans for their new premises, the old Nat West bank in Portswood Broadway, plus an explanation of how they were able to fund the purchase and a brief history of their operating as a Cooperative. They hope to be in the new premises around November where a grand opening will be organised. They would love some help with the move and a list will be included in the next e-newsletter.

* Jon Walsh gave an update on University matters. These had been largely covered at the previous meeting. Of note, the Vice-Chancellor Sir Christoper Snowden will be retiring; the University is preparing to close Salisbury Road from October 15th to January to all traffic including pedestrians and cyclists, with the exception of buses. For nine days in early January, Salisbury Road will continue to be closed but this will also include buses. The University will be installing trees and bollards in the road.

Reports – Finance: currently healthy but we still need a new Treasurer; volunteers please!

* Membership – now stands at 470 households.

* Planning – there was discussion of an unauthorised driveway and removal of a front garden in Oakmount Ave, contrary to their Conservation Status, which awaits the result of a retrospective planning application. The Chair reported on the successful outcome of an Appeal for an HMO in Arnold Rd which was refused. The illegal car sales site outside the old ‘Blockbusters’ unit is currently at Appeal stage. Enforcement action is being taken against the Crafty Fox to remove benches.

* Website – Nadine reported that there had been no posts on the website Planning page since March. It was suggested she contacted the Secretary for a monthly report..

* AOB – there being no AOB the meeting closed at 8.30 PM

* Date of next meeting – Mon 8th Oct.

Jerry Gillen, Vice-Chair