The draft minutes of the 2025 AGM can be downloaded by clicking on the link below.
Or you can scroll down the page and read them online.
Burridge & Swanwick Residents Association AGM
Held at the Burridge Village Hall on Tuesday 1st April 2025 at 1930
Viv welcomed the approximately 35 residents, Councillor Joanne Burton, District Inspector Rob Keely and representatives of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) to the meeting.
There were apologies from
Councillor David Foot, Tanya Langenhorst; Carl Freeman.
- Presentation by Dave & Bonny from HIOWAA
“HIOWAA is one of 21 Charities providing Air cover in the UK.
H&IOW Air Ambulance started here in 2007 with money that had been raised by the Charity here within 2 years.
There was great need for the first Air Ambulance that was based at Thruxton. It had 5 high level medics and crew involved on shifts in its operations. It was already an elderly helicopter at 18-years-old.
In 2009 the Eurocopter arrived and was big enough for all the medics and crew, the number of medics joining the Air Ambulance were increasing all the time, but flying hours were restricted to 8-5am daylight hours only.
In 2016, a brand-new helicopter was purchased that could cope with 24-hour cover. It is available 7am until 2am the following morning as helicopters need daily maintenance. HIOWAA really need a spare helicopter but are staying as they are at present. The aircraft is leased with a contract that guarantees it will be back in operation in half a day if it is out of action. It was internally fitted out to the requirements for a highly trained crew, a doctor, paramedic, pilot, the patient and one accompanying person. It has a purpose-built stretcher and the Paramedics seat turns 180 degrees from the front facing position to help the doctor with the patient. The amount of equipment carried is phenomenal.
This helicopter has skis, not wheels, making it easier to land on any terrain.
They also use emergency response vehicles drive to critical emergencies and carry the same equipment as the Air Ambulance. These cars are on loan.
2024 saw more cars dealing with incidents than the air ambulance.
The team consist of highly specialised critical care paramedics plus a highly trained Doctor on board often an A&E Consultant Anaesthetist they also need to know technical details of the helicopter. They are organised by rotas and employed and trained by Southampton General Hospital, but the helicopter is still a Charity. The Team train very, very hard, by creating environments for training scenarios to feel the situation. They must also be extremely fit as they must carry 35kgs bags to and from the helicopter when attending incidents.
During Covid, the helicopters could not be made safe to avoid cross contamination, but fortunately the Coastguard Helicopter was able to put a screen in place between the passenger/patient and the controls and could help at this difficult time. For a while this was the only helicopter in the country other than RAF Chinooks that were able to carry life saving ventilators on board. These Chinooks were even flying to and from the Channel Islands to help patients.
There were nearly 200 volunteers before Covid, but this reduced to 100 after Covid. More volunteers are needed.
Despatchers in the control centre in Winchester Call Centre take up to 5,000 calls a day. They then decide if it’s a job for the helicopter or the road vehicle. The routine information comes in; the 3-man crew decide whether to take it or not depending on where the helicopter is at the time.
The air ambulance and team attend incidents such as Road Traffic Accidents; Medical Emergencies; Falls; Cardiac Arrests; Asthmatics; and, sadly, also an increasing number of assaults. They carry oxygen and a LUCAS chest compression machine that delivers high-quality compressions with fewer interruptions than manual CPR. Even more importantly now, open heart surgery or amputations can be performed at the roadside, just as they would in A&E.
Blood is also carried in the air ambulance but is collected after 24 hours by Motorcycle responders and returned to the Blood Bank if not used.
The helicopter can be airborne in 4/10 mins but cannot fly in high winds. It flies at 150mph and could fly for 3.5 hours fully loaded but the tank is never filled to maximum. If it was and there was a ‘shout’ on the A303, taking on a patient would make the helicopter too heavy to fly!
The Charity receives no money from the Government, so it’s down to public organisations to fund. It costs £3,500 per hour, £6,000,000 a year, money that needs to be raised by the Charity.
As well as saving lives the helicopter can save money! For example, the cost of a fatal accident on the M27 in rush hour with Police attendance and investigations, other emergency services; food and other goods delayed or wasted not getting through from lorries held up on the road there costs £2,000,100. It costs £180,00 saving a patient.
The helicopter has been called out 584 times already this year, but their Achilles Heel is Thruxton. It takes 4 minutes to get the crew in the helicopter and then 25 minutes to the IOW. This isn’t good.
However, the good news is that the Hampshire & IOW Air Ambulance will be moving to Southampton Airport from January 2026. Then the crew will be able to get anywhere in the area within 10 mins including the IOW. This will be a far better response time and a much better service to a wider community.
Questions were asked:
Where can these helicopters land?
Answer: anywhere that’s safe and as long as it’s as big as a tennis court. They will also use Southampton, Basingstoke and other hospitals that have helipads.
Question: Are there any fund-raising events nearby?
Yes £3.6,000,000 to find for relocation. It’s down to public generosity.
For further information about the Hampshire & Islo of Wight Air Ambulance go to:
- Approval of the Minutes of the 2024 AGM published online:
Proposed and seconded by Mr Bundy & another resident.
- Matters arising
None
- Summary of Chairman’s Report
“I will try to keep this Chairman’s Report brief and answer any questions you have afterwards.
Planning Applications to FBC (Fareham Borough Council)
The Eyersdown Farm site should be completed this year. Neighbours who requested inclusion on the email group have been kept advised on progress.
Details of other applications on which we have made comments are in my full report and on the website. You can follow the links to the application details in the Planning Page. https://www.burridgeandswanwickra.org.uk/planning/
HEP (Hamble Estuary Partnership)
The HEP is a discussion forum including many diverse interests from business to boating, Crown Estate to environmental. We were invited to join to keep in touch with matters concerning the Upper Hamble River. There are links on the download to see topics discussed this year.
I want to acknowledge the independent efforts of residents
The Public Footpath 21a Botley Road to Carroll Close has been resurfaced by the HCC Countryside Team. Thanks to pressure from Jan with support from our Councillor (now Alderman Sean Woodward).
Following the recent road closures as a result of leaks, a local resident with professional knowledge of the issue sent a letter to Southern Water about repeated failure of main supply pipe running along the Botley Road. Thank you Ian.
Litter Picking. A small team, co-ordinated by Margaret, tidy safely accessible areas at intervals. More volunteers would be welcome in order to spread the load.
Survey report and response from HCC (Hampshire County Council).
You should have received the interim report about the reply from HCC’s Road Safer Roads-Traffic South team. Your favoured option of Speed Cameras to deter the 1 in 20 vehicles ignoring the 30 mph limit will only be considered after several serious injuries or deaths occur. For prevention we have to rely on Speed watch and a Police visit to follow up offenders and re-educate them. Following trials with a device on loan from the Police, Speed watch are improving their monitoring by purchasing a hand-held speed gun to detect vehicles that speed up after passing their Speed Indicating Device, affectionally known as SID.
Curdridge Parish Council have invested in ‘Smiley Face’ type SIDs on the A334 but FBC only approve Speed Limit Reminders. Unlike Parish Councils we do not have access to funds for purchase this type of SID and the licencing, positioning and maintenance would have to be carried out by FBC with Hampshire Highways approval. Crowd funding might be considered.
We changed tactics and followed up the suggestion that a Pedestrian Refuge could be constructed on the Botley Road North of Burridge Road where there is a wide verge that is publicly owned. As well as making crossing easier these have been shown to have a traffic calming effect. We produced sketches to show that it was possible to widen the road to enable this to be achieved and had a long Teams meeting on the internet with Andy Smith (Team Leader for Traffic South). Whilst accepting that this was feasible, he judged that moving existing services, underground power cables, drainage and a telephone pole would make this a very expensive project (£10-20K) and that there was no money in HCC’s budget for this type of project.
As a result, he would not even agree to a survey and advised that we should not fund a survey ourselves (we offered) as it would be a wasted investment. Some small changes to signage and repainting of SLOW signs are under consideration.
After all the time and effort made by your Committee and your input to our survey this is a very frustrating situation. Maybe we must accept there are worse roads in the Country than ours and there will always be some drivers willing to risk theirs and others lives and property.
An opportunity was made for questions on the report.
- Election of Committee Members:
George Metcalfe kindly agreed to continue as Treasurer a little longer as has Gill Osmond who has been on the Committee for many years.
A show of hands approved their re-election.
No one else had come forward to join the Committee that currently has only 6 members, should anyone be interested in joining, 2 residents can be co-opted during the year.
The Chairman stated he would be grateful for new members or even return of residents who have had a rest as it is healthy for an organisation like ours to have a regular turnover of Committee members to bring in new ideas and enthusiasm.
- Treasurer’s report:
This had been published on the website and was displayed on the screen
https://www.burridgeandswanwickra.org.uk/documents/2025-accounts/
George said all was satisfactory. Viv thanked George and the report was approved
- AOB
Merits of a local minibus service running a circular route in the Western Wards.
Ann & Ash Ailes suggested before the meeting that we should discuss this and asked me to produce a map to aid the discussion. This was shown together with the current bus routes and a possible new route.
The minibus service proposed by Ann Ailes would include the Community Hospital, Doctors Surgeries, Whiteley and Hedge End stores. She has also contacted Patrick Bloggs of HCC and our MP, Paul Holmes. Ann will put the plan to him on April 9th here at the Hall.
She had not approached FBC or the Bus companies.
Graham Dorrington asked if any other villagers in areas the bus would pass through would be interested?
Gregg asked if the proposal could be advertised to a wider area (e.g. Wickham and Curbridge)
Another residents survey was suggested to assess the need. Ask those on our email list and get in touch with other organisations e.g. The Fareham Society. The Chairman advised that the question had been asked in our report to the next Fareham Society newsletter.
There didn’t appear to be a great consensus to follow this up and it didn’t appear appropriate to vote on the matter since residents had not had time to consider the issue.
- General Discussion
Ann Ailes reported on Burridge Pond that is now 25 years old. Volunteers were asked to help with the pond clean up 2nd April.
Ann wants to keep the pond going (normally ponds only last about 10 years). A few work parties will be advertised on the gate over the summer.
The Chairman advised BSRA will advertise pond working party dates on Facebook page and Website if requested.
- Question and answer session with Councillor Joanne Bull
Joanne thanked the HIOWAA speakers.
Burridge Village Hall
She mentioned there was now a good committee overseeing the Hall and there are lots of classes and activities going on including Little Nest, a pre-school that opened in September. The hall is also a very popular, busy venue at weekend for children’s parties. All this has allowed investment in facilities. Now CCTV covers outside especially by the bins which helps us to see any fly tipping and anti-social behaviour.
There will be a Burridge Sunday Funday on July 6th. There will be stalls – no charge. Performances by some classes at the Hall.
Raymond Brown site
FBC do not have any direct control as the planning authority for the site. There isn’t a specific condition about the fencing repair/replacement which is looking an eyesore with broken and missing fencing sections along the Botley Road. It is up for sale and HCC have a responsibility to keep it tidy and safe.
HCC believe the Environmental Permit is still in existence and the Environment Agency have conditions about waste sites being kept secure (adverse impacts or environmental hazards) so will explore. Raymond Brown also have Health & Safety responsibilities.
HCC have confirmed that they have spoken to Raymond Brown and it has been passed onto their Operations Director.
Botley Road
Whiteley way/Bluebell Way need to be adopted before any consideration will be given to making it the A3051.
The Bypass at Pinkmead is expected to be completed in late summer 2027. There will be a roundabout at the A334 junction with the A3051.
Whiteley School.
900 place scope for 1200 pupils starting summer this year (2025) opening Sep 2027. Henry Cort will ultimately close with pupils attending other Fareham Schools.
Swanwick Lodge
DofE are proposing to invest at least £60m in a new secure children’s welfare home in Hampshire as Swanwick Lodge is no longer large enough or fit for purpose. They are searching for an alternative site. The Stubbington Study Centre will not close following public outrage and peaceful protest.
Q&A’s
Bob Phillips asked when Kings Corner would be finished – Joanne said 2 years.
Rob Gandy complained about insufficient parking in Glen Road for meetings of the fostering group. Joanne will speak to them.
Ann Ailes asked whether Burridge children will still go to Swanmore as the bulk go there now. Joanne replied any currently attending would finish their courses.
HMG’s devolvement plans
A resident had asked for an explanation of this political matter. Sean Woodward kindly explained the concept of a South Hampshire Strategic Authority with a Mayor that would include Southampton, Gosport, Portsmouth, Havant & the Isle of Wight. It would have powers over such matters as Police, Transport etc. He was concerned that if the individual councils cease to exist there would be inadequate understanding of local matters.
Q&A on his comments.
How would elections work as new Councillors might not know our area.
How would council tax work with devolvement. Sean reminded us that FBC is one of the lowest Council Tax areas. Some money would be handed down from National Government funds.
Joanne kindly reminded the Chairman that she had invited District Inspector Rob Keely to answer questions.
Rob outlined the local organisation and issues they face.
He described the Police ‘s approach and action in discouraging speeding on Fareham’s Roads, including Botley Road and Swanwick Lane, and the technology available to help them judge the worst areas. They will also use noise cameras to catch modified vehicles causing a nuisance.
Rob also outlined their success in association with FBC in curbing antisocial behaviour involving motor vehicle meets.
He invited residents to sign up to Hants Alert (https://www.hampshirealert.co.uk/) to be better informed of local issues.
Someone asked about whether there had been any increase in thefts in our area.
Close of meeting 9.45pm