Alton Town Council is pleased to announce that the Kings Pond Task & Finish (Operational) Group appointed by Full Council on 5th March (as a result of the appeal to residents to assist the council in preparing and implementing an action plan to progress the King’s Pond project) has now held two meetings, the Minutes of which are published on the Town Council’s website so residents can keep fully up to date as to the progress being made as the Council continues to develop both options currently being explored for Kings Pond.
The Terms of Reference for the Group are also published on the Council’s website and includes the objectives of the Group which are to:
- Conduct a technical and financial assessment of the dredging option
- To provide the outcome of the technical and financial assessments of the Dredging and Pond & River options to go to Full Council so that it can go to public consultation before any decision is taken to proceed further
The Council committed to residents that it would be gathering information in order that residents can be fully informed on the progress being made, step by step, through a fully transparent process which allows residents to have access to all the information being gathered by the group as it becomes available.
At its inaugural meeting on 8th April the Task & Finish Group, published an Expression of Interest invitation to organisations/companies under the following three categories:
- Contractors
- Project Management
- Specialist organisations
Responses were required to be submitted by close of business on Friday, 9th May.
Several companies who have responded are able to offer expertise across all three of the categories whilst others have responded to a specific category only. The responses are to be evaluated by the Task & Finish Group at their next meeting, which is being held on Thursday, 22nd May. The outcome of this evaluation will be taken to Full Council in accordance with the Terms of Reference for the Group.
The Council recognises that some residents remain concerned that it is taking some time for a clear decision to be taken, but wishes to reassure everyone that as part of the democratic process by which residents will be able to be in full possession of all of the facts on the two options, it is important to remembers that regardless of the final decision on the way forward being made, both options have to be explored extensively and evidence provided in order to support any planning application being submitted, which will be a requirement regardless of which option is eventually taken forward.
The latest reports to be received, namely the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal and the Wintering Bird Survey were published on the Council’s website on Monday, 12th May.
The first meeting of the appointed Community & Stakeholder Focus Group is to be held Wednesday, 2nd July at 6.00 p.m.at the Town Hall.
This group which is predominately made up of residents is tasked with cascading accurate information in making sure that the wider public are accurately kept informed of the progress being made by the operational group and how they can access the reports which have been commissioned, where to find Minutes of meetings held and how they can continue to be kept up to date with progress and more importantly understand the work that is being undertaken.
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All enquires to the Town Clerk,
Alton Town Council
Town Hall, Market Square
Alton, GU34 1HD
Telephone: 01420 83986