PARISH COUNCIL NEWS
Community Governance Review Nears Completion
The Community Governance Review for Old Basing and Lychpit is expected to reach its conclusion this month, with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council due to formally consider and approve the final recommendations at its meeting on 16 July 2026.
The review has examined the current parish warding arrangements and, following consultation and consideration of the responses received, the proposal is for the existing two-ward structure to be replaced by a single parish-wide ward. Under the current arrangements, the Parish Council is made up of 12 councillors, with eight representing Old Basing Ward and four representing Lychpit Ward.
The proposed change reflects the fact that parish councillors serve the interests of the whole community regardless of the ward in which they were elected. Moving to a single ward is intended to create a simpler and more transparent system for voters, while better reflecting the way the Parish Council operates in practice.
Residents should be aware that there will be no immediate change to the current arrangements. If approved by the Borough Council, the new structure is expected to come into effect at the next scheduled Parish Council elections in May 2027. Until then, the existing warding arrangements and representation will remain unchanged.
The review also considered the potential impact of future housing development and population growth within the parish. A single parish ward is considered better able to accommodate future changes without requiring adjustments to councillor allocations between separate wards.
The Parish Council welcomes the progress made towards concluding the review and looks forward to greater certainty over local governance arrangements ahead of the 2027 elections. Once the Borough Council has made its formal decision, further information will be made available to residents explaining what the changes mean in practice and how future elections will operate.
Neighbourhood Plan Update
The review of the Old Basing and Lychpit Neighbourhood Plan is progressing well and has now reached its final stages.
Over recent months, members of the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group, together with professional advisers, have been carefully reviewing and updating the Plan to ensure that it reflects current planning policy and the future needs of the parish. The revised document is now largely complete, with only a small number of final amendments and checks being undertaken before it is presented to the Parish Council for approval.
Once approved by the Parish Council, the revised Neighbourhood Plan will be submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for the next formal stage of the process, known as Regulation 16 consultation. This provides an opportunity for residents, statutory consultees and other interested parties to review the submitted Plan and provide comments before it proceeds to independent examination.
The Neighbourhood Plan remains an important document for the parish, helping to shape how future development takes place and ensuring that local views are considered alongside wider planning policies. The review has also taken place against the backdrop of the emerging Borough Local Plan, making it particularly important that the parish’s planning policies remain current and robust.
The Parish Council would like to thank all those who have contributed to the review process so far. Further details of the Regulation 16 consultation, including how residents can view the documents and submit comments, will be publicised once the submission has been formally made.
Traffic Issues
Traffic and road safety remain key concerns for many residents, and the Parish Council’s Traffic Working Group continues to work with Hampshire County Council and other partners to progress a number of long-standing issues across the parish.
At its recent meeting, the Working Group reviewed progress on several projects, including speeding concerns, the use of Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs), the proposed footpath improvements in Milkingpen Lane, and parking issues reported by residents.
One of the group’s highest priorities remains the provision of a pedestrian route in Milkingpen Lane. Members discussed ongoing correspondence with Hampshire County Council and agreed that further information should be sought regarding previous surveys and the potential costs of additional investigation work. The Working Group remains committed to pursuing opportunities to improve safety for pedestrians using this route.
Speeding throughout the parish also continues to be a major focus. Members reviewed progress relating to proposed Speed Indicator Device locations and discussed how data collected by the devices can be used to build a stronger evidence base when working with highway authorities. The Parish Council is keen to ensure that concerns raised by residents are supported by robust information and that any future requests for traffic management measures are based on clear evidence.
The Working Group has also been considering how best to keep residents informed about traffic-related projects and the work being undertaken on their behalf. While progress can sometimes be slower than residents would like, particularly where decisions rest with other authorities, the Parish Council continues to press for action on the issues that matter most to the community.
Parking concerns in Crown Lane were also discussed. While recognising the impact that inappropriate parking can have on local residents, members noted that responsibility for addressing some aspects of the issue lies with other organisations, meaning the Parish Council’s role is limited. Residents experiencing parking problems are encouraged to continue reporting concerns and, where appropriate, provide photographic evidence that may assist in future discussions with the relevant authorities.
The Working Group has agreed that its immediate priorities will remain the Milkingpen Lane project, Speed Indicator Device implementation and wider speeding concerns across the parish, before turning its attention to longer-term parking matters.
The Parish Council would like to thank residents who continue to report concerns and provide information. Community feedback remains an important part of building the evidence needed to support future improvements to road safety throughout Old Basing and Lychpit.
Meetings for August 2026
If you are planning to attend a meeting, please check the Parish Council website or local noticeboards for confirmed dates, or contact the Parish Clerk for further details. The next Full Parish Council meeting will take place on Tuesday 11th August at 7.30pm.
If you would like to attend but may have difficulty accessing the meeting room via the stairs, please let us know in advance so that alternative arrangements can be made.
Keep in Touch
If you have any question, concerns or ideas that you’d like to share with the Parish Council, please feel free to get in touch. You can contact us by email, phone, or by visiting the Parish Office. We are always happy to hear from you!
You can also keep up to date with the latest news by visiting our website, following our Facebook page, or by checking the noticeboards around the Parish (Belle Vue Parade, Old Basing Recreation Ground and Lychpit Community Centre).
Parish Clerk: Mrs Kate Hope
Address: The Pavilion, Recreation Ground, The Street, Old Basing, RG24 7DA
Tel: 01256 462847 Office Hours: Mon – Thurs 10am to 12 noon
| email: clerk@oldbasing.gov.uk | website: www.oldbasing.gov.uk |
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