The Parish of Selborne

/in /by

Frequently Asked Questions

Selborne Parish Council covers the villages of Selborne, Blackmoor and Oakhanger.  Selborne and surrounding countryside are famous for its association with the eighteenth-century naturalist Gilbert White. In his book ‘The Natural History of Selborne’, he meticulously recorded his observations on the plants, birds and animals of this lovely part of Hampshire.

Much of the Parish is within the South Downs National Park and is surrounded by the most beautiful countryside, yet is easily accessible from the A3 and A31. There are some thriving rural businesses and small shops. There are plenty of walking and riding opportunities with many public paths to explore.

Selborne Parish Council works to supports its residents and businesses within the three villages. Council meetings are held monthly on the third Wednesday of each month, with occasional extra meetings as required. Planning applications are discussed within the meetings and there is an opportunity for residents to speak on planning and other issues. The twelve Councillors are supported by a part-time clerk.

For details of all Councillors, meetings and minutes please click on the Council Information link at the top of the page.

Annual Audit

/in /by

Each year Selborne Parish Council’s Annual Return is audited by an auditor appointed by the Audit Commission.  Any person interested has the right to inspect the accounts including the annual return and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers and receipts relating to the Accounting Statements.  These documents for Selborne Parish Council are to be made available on reasonable notice by application to the Parish Clerk (07908 408025 or email clerk@selborneparishcouncil.gov.uk) between dates in the “Notice of Period of Exercise of Public Rights” which can be found in the Finance & Audit Documents for the year being audited.

South Downs National Park Local Plan: Preferred Options Consultation

/in /by

The South Downs National Park Local Plan has now been submitted for examination and will be considered by the Inspector in Autumn 2018.  Selborne Parish Council submitted a Position Statement following the meeting on 19 September and will be sending representatives to the Examinations.  Further information on the SDNPA Local Plan can be found on the SDNPA website by following this link.

Defibrillators installed at Village Halls in the parish

/in /by

The Parish Council has purchased three automatic external defibrillators which have been installed at the village halls in the Parish.  The machines are for use by the public in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The machines are easy to use and anyone regardless of training can use the defibrillators as the machines provide audio instructions.

Budget and Precept

/in /by

Selborne Parish Council decided on 17 January 2018 to increase its precept (the Parish Council’s share of the Council Tax) by £18,098 for the financial year beginning 1 April 2018.
 It will mean that a Band D household will pay approximately £1.49 per week to finance the Parish Council.

The Parish Council is responsible for providing a range of services and facilities in the Parish. During the period of austerity, it has been prudent with public money using some of its reserves rather than ask for an increase in the precept. Now that the Community Support Grant has been withdrawn and both the District Council and the County Council are putting some of their responsibilities on the shoulders of Parish Councils, there is no option but to increase the precept to cover these costs.

The Parish Council is urgently pursuing the agreed solution for traffic calming in the village, safeguarding the area around the School and the village centre in particular especially given the potential increase in volumes due to major developments in the towns to the north, south and east of the Parish.

The Parish Council is obliged to have regular tree surveys to keep the public safe, and any recommendations have to be carried out; this year’s survey and work cost £3,790.

New legislation is coming along in respect of Data Protection and Transparency Codes with which the Parish Council must comply and which will require all councillors to have extra training.

The Parish Council has responsibility for two recreation grounds. It also provides grants for a number of projects in the Parish: it is anticipated that Oakhanger Village Hall may need an extension and the tennis court in Selborne needs resurfacing.

The Parish Council’s computer, its hardware, software, accounts package and mobile phone need replacing and a mobile PA system is under consideration to enable everyone better to hear what is said at meetings.

Ambulance First Responder Scheme

/in /by

Two local residents have been successful in setting up a First Responder Scheme in Selborne, which also covers East Tisted, Newton Valence, Greatham, Liss, West and East Worldham and other surrounding areas as required. The team members have their own medical emergency kit bag containing oxygen, a defibrillator and other medical essentials. On receipt of an emergency call where a life threatening incident comes into the 999 system the ambulance control send the team in as the first response whilst the ambulance is on route. For more information please follow the link;

 http://www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk/our-services/communityresponders.ashx.

The team would like to thank everyone that has helped raise money to start the scheme and buy the kit, but they will have on going costs so donations are still welcome.

Please note that the team will only attend incidents as directed by 999 Ambulance control, so in the event of an emergency please call 999. 

Village Design Statement (VDS)

/in /by

The VDS for Selborne identifies the distinctive character of the village and its buildings in terms of size, shape, proportion, scale and materials.

It provides guidance for would-be developers on the local characteristics and qualities that residents value in the village and its surroundings. People applying for planning permission must show that they have complied with this guidance or risk being refused planning permission.

Please read the updated VDS on this website or email to John Liddle (JSL7@btinternet.com). Thank you.

The VDS is now in its final stages of preparation with a final version to be available for consultation in February/ March 2022 and hopefully adoption later this spring.

Traffic Working Group

/in /by

For an update on the Parish Council’s work on the Traffic issues in the Parish

Please click here

For  details on Oakhanger Traffic Survey please click here

For the The Hamilton- Baillie report please click here