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 the HRA Committee Meeting of Monday 9th October 2017

• The Chair welcomed members and Ward Cllr
• There were no matters arising not otherwise on the agenda
• University Liaison – Jon Walsh commented on the Steps Appeal decision and confirmed that as far as the University was concerned, there was no Right of Way over the Service Road. He accepted there was considerable disquiet on the current closure of the Service Rd between the hours of 6.00 AM and 6.00 PM but stated this was for reasons of Health and Safety and perfectly within their rights.  SCAPPS, for example, were one of a number of interests considering challenging this but the Chair asked if the Uni might be prepared to convene a meeting to consider a possible negotiated compromise.  Members felt that provision for Cyclists and Pedestrians, to the exclusion of motor vehicles, might be acceptable.  Jon reported that the main opponents of the current closure were parents with children at Highfield School.
• Rat Man – Steve Johnson reported on the unfortunate outcome of his Court Case and that this person was continuing to contravene his CPN with abandon! The Chair said he would raise this at his meeting with the Leader of the Council on Thursday.
• Finance – The Treasurer is in the process of trying to set up online banking. The Chair stated he felt there was no point launching our fund raising campaign until this was in place.  It would be important to liaise with both the Membership Sec and Website member as part of this process.
• Membership – in the absence of the Memb Sec there was no report but membership remains in excess of 500 households.
• Planning – there were no new applications of concern to report. The Chair expressed his despair at the current deteriorating relationship between HRA and the Planning Dept and gave examples of the many outstanding and unresolved issues.  However, the Leader of the Council has agreed to meet with the Chair and Simon Hill this coming Thursday to discuss our concerns.
• Website – Nadine reported that we now had six advertisements on/for the website. However, a couple of them will expire shortly so it would be necessary to contact the owners to discuss extending the term.
• AOB- there was no AOB and the meeting closed at 8.45 PM
• Date of next meeting – Mon 13^th November
  • The Chair welcomed members and two of our Ward Cllrs, including new member Alison Titheredge the new GM of Mayflower Court. He noted the continuing absence of Cllr Savage and the Secretary was asked to write enquiring if he might be able to attend our meetings from time to time.

Vice-Chair’s Report of the HRA Committee Meeting of Monday 11th September 2017

• The Chair welcomed members and two of our Ward Cllrs, including new member Alison Titheredge the new GM of Mayflower Court. He noted the continuing absence of Cllr Savage and the Secretary was asked to write enquiring if he might be able to attend our meetings from time to time.
• University Liaison – Jon Walsh gave an account of current activities and the success of the recent Open Day. There was some discussion on current Planning applications and in particular the closure of the University Service road at the end of Salisbury Road.  However he did say this was only intended to be between the hours of 6.00 AM and 6.00 PM for reasons of safety whilst works  were being carried out.  He further confirmed that it was unlikely the University would continue with seeking to extinguish the ROW over Salisbury Rd in the near future, which was widely welcomed.
• Lovers Walk – Sue Ingham was invited to express the concerns of the residents of Furzedown Rd in relation to the Council’s Planning application for the widening of LW, creating the possibility of an alternative Cycle route via Furzedown. She gave photographic evidence of vehicular and parking congestion which she felt would be dangerous for cyclists.  The Chair pointed out that the matter was now before the Council for determination and all sides had now submitted their responses, but nevertheless wished to avoid potential dissention within HRA as we wished to be representative of the views of all of our members.   Cllr O’Neil confirmed he had asked for the application to be brought before the Planning Panel.
• Finance – the Chair pointed out we were still seeking a new Treasurer who would be more able to participate in the Association’s affairs. The matter of the Contingency Fund was deferred for Reserved business at the end of the meeting.
• Membership – the Membership Sec was away but this still stood at a total of 508 member households.
• Planning – Hilldown Rd; Adrian Pickering was unavailable to give an update but there was an email the Chair would circulate giving the latest position if anyone wished.  Apparently ‘they’ are working in accordance with the original grant but Conditions need to be closely monitored.  PeggyAugier gave a report on 36 Roseland Gdns which was now operating as an unauthorised HMO.  This had been reported to Enforcement who said they would look at it “when they were able”?!  The Chair reported on what appeared to be the emerging of a new business model for some HMO Landlords who were now handing their properties over to a third party to in effect, operate them as “Airb&b”s.
• Website – Nadine was unable to attend to give an update.
• AOB – Sainsburys – it was reported that Sainsburys had made a Licensing application to be able to serve Alcohol between the hours of 6.00 AM and midnight. It was intended  to oppose the application.  Mayflower Court – Alison Titheredge offered members a site visit and the possible use of a meeting room and was looking into taking an ad on the website. Contingency Fund –  it was resolved the existing Contingency Fund for Professional Fees should be increased forthwith to £15,000 with proportional increases on an annual basis. It was proposed that for another major battle, such as a JR, there should perhaps be a separate individual fund raiser.Discussion took place as how best to launch this Fund Raiser and Tom O’Connor had already drafted an excellent letter that could be sent to all members.  This would now await his return for a final review.  (Jacky Barnes is about to go away for several weeks)It was suggested that if we were to ask every member for a contribution of £10/£15 say, this in itself should raise a good sum, if they were all to contribute of course.  PRG members who had yet to contribute to the recent JR might be asked separately in advance of a general HRA letter.Finally, it was agreed there was an urgent need to introduce on-line banking to enable DDs for Membership subs, as well as for these contributions.
• Date of next meeting – Monday 9 October 2017.

Jerry Gillen, Vice Chair