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 12 November 2018
The Chair opened the meeting by expressing concern that he was without support from either a Secretary or Minute Sec for tonight’s meeting and thanked Nicolla Martin for standing in. He also reminded members that we still needed a new Chairman and he would not be able to continue in this position indefinitely.
* Matters arising: there is now a revised application for reinstatement of the wall and driveway to 10 Oakmount Ave. JG has agreed to attend tomorrow’s Panel meeting with the Applicant and formally withdraw HRA’s previous objections as this has had to go to Panel
* University: Jon Walsh gave his usual comprehensive summary of current activities, including …there will be a partial closure of University Road for road works, so best avoided. He has had a meeting with SCAPPS and the Council over the treatment of Salisbury Rd where it abuts The Common. There will be a Clean Air presentation in Building 32 on 12th December between 2.00 -4.00 PM. There is a planning application pending for a new multi storey car park in Hampton Park.
* Finance: the Treasurer reported that finances were healthy.
* Membership: stands at 470 households. There was discussion as to how we could increase our membership, suggestions being; placing posters in windows of businesses who are part of our discount scheme and having a stand in Waitrose. It was noted that a hard copy Newsletter always brought in new members. The results of some of our previous Social Events were discussed in the context of increasing membership and raising HRA’s profile and it was suggested we might put on a combined event with PRG this coming summer.
* Planning: there is a contentious application to double the size of an existing HMO in Heatherdene Rd but the date for objections has passed. JG to make contact with a neighbour. There remains a question as to whether any Enforcement has yet been taken against 5 Crofton Close; Cllr Claisse to follow up. There was dismay that Landlords ‘To Let’ signs were once again proliferating, contrary to Council policy; Cllr Claisse stated he was unable to obtain any meaningful response from the Enforcement Team on the matter. JG stated he had now made formal complaint to Stephen Harrison about the lack of action over 8 Westridge Rd.
* Website: Nadine reported progress was being made to update pages to enable them to be read on mobile devices.
* Newsletter: the first hard copy Newsletter we have produced, apart from the annual pre AGM notification edition, for some time is at the Printers and would be distributed by the Street Reps following. JG pointed out the next one would need to be in March to advertise next year’s AGM in April. JG thanked Nadine, Stephen (absent) and Nicolla for all their hard work and input. It was agreed to have a subcommittee meeting to review the current Newsletter once there had been time for people to comment.
* Constitution: a query had arisen over qualification for membership. JG pointed out it had been amended in April 03 to allow people “who shared the Association’s aims and objectives” to also join if they were out of our immediate area, although this sentence was a little ambiguous. This will be reviewed.
AOB: JG pointed out that the Associations 50th Anniversary was only three years away and thought should be given to marking this major milestone. Nick Bacon asked why there was no enforcement action against the unauthorised S/H Car sales on the old Blockbuster site; the reason is they have appealed and we have to await the outcome which could be some months away. It was pointed out that the old Care Home on the corner of Brookvale & Westwood Rd, has erected a 2 foot wooden fence on top of the existing brick wall. Totally out of keeping and far too high. AGM: the date has been brought forward to Thursday 11th April due to Easter being the following week
The meeting closed at 8.55 pm.
Jerry Gillen, Vice-Chair
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 17th 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 29th Oct – 17th The dangers of traffic at the southern end The Avenue was raised following another fatal accident.
- Date of next meeting – Monday 12th November
- Meeting closed at 8.45 PM.
Jerry Gillen, Vice Chair
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Vice-Chair’s Report of HRA Committee Meeting of Monday 12 November 2018
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