April 24 Combined - Flipbook - Page 33
Planning Hayling Herald
Hayling Island Residents
Association
Pot-holes that peppered roads are now starting to be repaired in the lead-up to local and general elections
By Anne Skennerton, chair of Hayling Island
Residents Association
IT’S amazing what effect political elections can
have. Long-term, damaging pot-holes suddenly
repaired, grass verges trimmed, tree planting
and consultation meetings to name but a few.
Hampshire County Council’s surprise postal
delivery of a glossy double-length leaflet,
outlining its March consultation, illustrates,
however late in the day, the importance of clear
paper communications.
But we need such detailed hard copy
information in non-election years too, and it
could be published in the Hayling Herald if
economy prevents expensive postal mailings.
Details and clarity of communication is vital.
The county council’s nature survey is of real
importance locally, yet its press information was
minimal and difficult to find online.
A Havant Borough Council public meeting
in February on Hayling, during which Coastal
Partners and council officers reportedly
presented on vital flood preparation was, for
many, inadequately advertised.
Flood preparation leaflets were handed out but
some with wrong contact email. It’s welcome that
a crucial Planning for Island’s housing drop-in
exhibition appeared in the Herald’s March issue,
but the dates March 2nd and, for Hayling, 7th
give even the most punctual of deliveries scant
time to attend.
HIRA has repeatedly flagged up in council
meetings that effective communication needs to
be in the Island’s free, widely distributed Herald;
it must also be advertised in good time, so a good
month in advance and on more than one day on
Hayling to support wider attendance.
Could the council have featured its flood
preparation meeting prominently in January’s
Herald and provided the public with correct
contact details at that time?
Hayling’s wonderful coastline and views
present challenges to residents and our council
alike as climate change, erosion and funding
shortages affect us all.
At time of writing, a drop-in meeting,
scheduled for Tuesday, March 19th at the United
Reformed Church, features Coastal Partners
and other representatives from Havant Borough
Council to focus on future plans for Hayling’s
coastline. Some of us have signed up to Coastal
Partners so we received emails. Why was this not
prominently advertised in February’s Herald for
maximum public coverage?
Providing the Island with only one date, a
weekday until 7.30pm when some people may
still be returning from work, unfairly limits
participation.
Complaints have been lodged so perhaps that
date will change and a later April meeting appear.
By making it a full-page Herald spread, people
can be better informed well in advance.
Facebook, used by Coastal Partners and
county council, is only one audience as are their
web pages; Hayling’s Herald is essential for our
communication to all households.
It is hardly surprising that Hayling feels
neglected when our own councils continue
to provide their notifications in Hampshire
Independent, a paper that isn’t even circulated on
the Island, and they continue to ignore official
postings in the Hayling Herald which is dispersed
throughout our community.
n Contact: hello@haylingresidentsassociation.
co.uk haylingresidentsassociation.co.uk
33