Category: News

Festive Fun for Littleton

on
Sunday 20th December 2020

Dear Neighbours,

An opportunity for some socially distanced Christmas celebrations for all the village to enjoy. We can also take the opportunity to show how generous we are by donating to a local charity.

GARDEN DECORATIONS AND FESTIVE SCARECROW COMPETITION.
1.00pm on 20th December 2020

It would be wonderful if we would all make a special effort to decorate our front gardens this year. Let your imaginations run wild or be modest and tasteful. In addition we are asking as many people as possible to make a festive scarecrow (Father Christmas, nativity or pantomime characters etc etc) to display in their front gardens.

The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Patrick Cunningham has kindly agreed to be our judge. He will be walking through the village from 1.00pm on 20th. Perhaps you would like to give him a wave. To enter the competition email Meriel Elford elford@littleton.me.uk by Friday 18th.

WISHING EACH OTHER A MERRY CHRISTMAS
6.00pm on 20th

Please come to the end of your front garden with your mulled wine (something softer for the children of course) and mince pies in hand. Bring along some form of lighting (torch, fairy lights etc) so that we can see each other. Then we can all join in singing “We wish you a Merry Christmas” at
6.00pm on 20th

SUPPORTING WINCHESTER WELLBEING (SOLENT MINDS)

We are all so aware that this year has not been easy for anyone, so to support our friends and neighbours who have struggled that bit more can we please ask you to make a donation big or small to Solent Minds https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/LightUpLittleton

Let’s show what Littleton can do.

Merry Christmas to all from,
Meriel, Elaine, Wendy, Kay, Rebecca and Sheila

18th November 2020

External Audit Concluded

The Parish Council accounts for 2019/2020 have now been reviewed by our external auditors and no issues have been identified. For further details please refer to this PDF link.

Main Road Closure – 26th November 2020

Hampshire Highways have reported that part of Main Rd will be closed from 26th November for 2 days. This will affect the road between the Deane Down Drove/Kennel Lane junction through to Stockbridge Road, during the hours of 9:30am to 3:30pm. The work is being done by BT Open Reach to deal with tree branches that are too close to overhead cables.

Andover Rd Pedestrian Crossing Petition

The Residents Association of Kings Barton has expressed frustration at the lack of progress being made to install a pedestrian crossing on the Andover Rd.

If Littleton & Harestock residents would like to see the petition created by The Kings Barton Residents Association then please refer to the Headbourne Worthy Parish Council news item online at this link: http://www.headbourneworthy.org.uk/community/headbourne-worthy-parish-council-10171/news/petition-for-andover-rd-crossing—please-sign-39858

Littleton Linkers

Littleton
2nd November 2020

Dear Littleton Resident,

The second lock-down is now with us and, as a community, we need to ensure that anyone who needs help can get that help. In March we set up the LINKERS system which received parishioners’ needs; the ‘Duty’ LINKER then found a HELPER who ensured that help was given. This worked very well, and the seven LINKERS and 42 HELPERS did a great job. However, by July the requests for help had dwindled; this was due to people gaining confidence to venture out plus increased availability of delivery slots from supermarkets and pharmacies. Consequently, the LINKERS scheme wound-up and we do not envisage reinstating it.

In its place there are three different sources of help for you during this new lock-down.

1. When the LINKERS scheme wound up, we asked the most frequent users of the scheme if they would welcome retaining a regular helper that they could contact and use. Twelve said ‘YES’ and each was allocated two HELPERS; this arrangement is working and is not due for review until 1st January 2021. These twelve parishioners already have their potential needs catered for during this second lockdown.
2. The WhatsApp group ‘Littleton Community Group’ has been very vigorous in providing all sorts of help around the village. If, during this lockdown, you need help with one-off shopping or prescriptions, it is very likely that a member of the WhatsApp group can help. Please ring Chris Rice (07976 209 382) who will act as a conduit to obtain help from the Group.
3. If you now think that you are going to require regular help with shopping or prescriptions during this new lockdown, then we can provide help for you in a similar way to that outlined in paragraph 1 above. Please ring either Clive Thompsett (01962 885039) or Peter Highfield (01962 889426). We will note down your name, email, house address and telephone number and will then find two HELPERS who can help you as and when required (we will give you their names and telephone numbers). Please don’t hesitate to ask.

These services are not meant to replace the help you might already be receiving from your neighbours. It provides a safety net to ensure that anyone in need knows they are not alone and can rely on getting help.

One last request: If you were one of the original HELPERS, or a new volunteer, can you please email Clive (clive.thompsett@icloud.com) indicating whether you are available and willing to help those who might use alternative 3 above? Many thanks.

Yours in fellowship,
Chris Rice. Littleton Community Group
Simon Kingston and Clive Thompsett. St Catherine’s Churchwardens
Peter Highfield. Parish Councillor

Winchester City Council has launched a free Wi-Fi service which will be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to help support the city’s reopened businesses. 
 
To access the Wi-Fi search for the WinCityFree Wi-Fi network signal on your device and tap connect. 

For more information, follow this link: https://www.winchester.gov.uk/news/2020/sep/free-wi-fi-launched-in-winchester-city-center 

Winchester City Council is considering the implementation of a new Council Tax Reduction scheme within the City Council’s area from 2021/22. The reason for the change is the effect of the roll out of Universal Credit which is largely incompatible with the current scheme and is based on a traditional means tested benefits approach.

Experience has shown that leaving the scheme the same will have an adverse effect on both taxpayers claiming Council Tax Reduction and the overall Council Tax collection levels.

Details of the simplified banding scheme are available with the public consultation survey (please see below). The main aims of the changes are:

· to improve transparency in the process for claiming;
· to reduce the level of administration currently required for claims;
· to support the most vulnerable residents in the district;
· to assist in the collection of Council Tax; and
· wherever possible, to maintain the same level of support to most applicants.

It is the intention of Winchester City Council to maintain the same overall level of support for this scheme. These changes will not have any detrimental effect to the Council Tax base.

The Council is undertaking a consultation process on these changes and would welcome your comments by 01 November 2020. Further information on the proposed changes is available on the public consultation survey www.winchester.gov.uk/benefits.

Please either email Lucy Cobern (Benefits & Welfare Manager) directly on lcobern@winchester.gov.uk or complete the survey, whichever is more convenient.

There are two vacancies on the Littleton & Harestock Parish Council caused by councillor resignations. Please see the notice below in PDF format:

The Parish Council has been made aware of a Hampshire County Council Planning Application for an inert waste recycling facility in the area around Three Maids Hill.

Full details of the planning application are online at: https://planning.hants.gov.uk/ApplicationDetails.aspx?RecNo=21326

Please see the letter below:

Can’t view the minutes? Check your Adobe PDF viewer is up to date here.