Branksome Park Canford Cliffs & District Residents’ Association Minutes September

Minutes of the monthly meeting held on Wednesday 14th September 2016 at 19.30

Present Bob Reid (BR) Chairman
Terry Stewart (TS) President

Tracy Holmes(TH) Planning Officer for Branksome Park
Cllr Mohan Iyengar(MI) Ward Counsillor
18 wardens and members.

Welcome and Apologies
Roger Vice-Chairman, and Zofia Allen, Carol (CP)and Mike Parkin Secretary and Membership Secretary, John Gunton magazine editor, Paul Fearnley Treasurer, and members Vivienne Evans, Dawn Goodson, Christine Norman, John Cribb and Sarah Holt.
Cllr May Haines (MH) Ward Councillor

BR thanked Julie Reid for helping to make notes for the minutes of the meeting, in the absence of CP
2 Minutes of meeting 13th July 2016
These had been circulated and a few were available at meeting for new members or reference.
3 Matters arising
William Mutlow (WM) pointed out that his comments had not been included in the minutes regarding Julian Osgathorpe as the Executive Director for Corporate Services for Bournemouth Borough Council and the Borough of Pooel.
Submitted by John Sprackling (JS) with reference to item 7. We are still waiting to learn the official outcome of the Licensing Sub Committee on 26 July 2016.

MI Agreed they should be online by now and explained that the confidential element would probably be due to requirements of the Legal Department.
BR pointed out that Martin Heath (MRH) has had a letter confirming that the Licence was granted with an end time of 11pm rather than 1am and restrictions on noise levels. Copies of the letter were available.
BR pointed out that the membership forms, separate from the magazine are already available and comply with ICO data protection requirements. BR also announced that following from the June meeting when questions were asked about the four empty shops in Canford Cliffs. There has been a development in that Mandy Payne, Economic Development Officer at Borough of Poole came to a meeting with JS, BR and George Perrins of the Land Society and discussed ways in which the appearance of the shops could be improved

Various options were discussed and it is hoped some progress can be made. She hopes to set up a Traders Collective.
MI filled us in with the information that he has been talking to Mandy about this and she has great experience in the field business promotion professionally, He did advise caution as the four shops pay full business rates and there will be legal restrictions on what can be done. The shops are family owned and their accountant baulked at spending £2000 on improving them.
On completing the matters arising TS proposed accepting the minutes and JS seconded.
4 On Road Parking Charges, Update after the Cabinet meeting.
BR informed that the Steering Group had been meeting regularly and is awaiting to hear when the Poole Cabinet will next consider the proposal. Cllr May Haines had indicated that it probably would not be at its October meeting.
We are carrying out preliminary work for a Judicial Review if necessary should the decision be to go ahead with the meters. And have started preliminary enquiries on legal advice to that end. Any such action would be referred to members for approval.
Roy Pointer(RP) reminded members that we have issued a newsletter, on our strategy and objections copies of which are available on the website. Following a number of unsatisfactory responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, RP had referred them to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for review. The latter had instructed Poole Council to provide better answers by 12th October. This £1/2 million project is claimed to ease congestion in Sandbanks area and to contribute to the 25 year Seafront Development Plan the only part of has been approved are some new beach huts.
RP explained that the public meeting in March and Poole Committee meetings had been filmed for a TV programme called “Parking Wars” to be screened on Tuesday next.
MI said that he could not add to what Janet Walton or MH have said and he said that Council would keep this proposal alive as it is their duty to consider all proposals that could raise money.
Martin Heath (MRH) said that Cabinet have never discussed congestion in detail and the project was simply about making money.
A member pointed out that the only congestion is on Sandbanks and most of the roads earmarked for meters are not congested
RP confirmed that when asked, the Council, admitted they had not recorded any complaints about congestion or the lack of parking.
A member said that living in Bingham Avenue for 15 years parking congestion had never reached their road.
Several members pointed out that you cannot legally use parking charges on roads simply to bring in funds.
Several other members spoke against the proposed scheme but no one spoke in favour.
A member said that the congestion at Sandbanks became worse after the Council took away the feeder lane to the car park.
He had also talked to the senior transport officer who told him that ‘people needed to change their attitude to the car and make more use the buses’ but all agreed that a family going to the beach would not do that, the buses are very infrequent and the “equipment” needed for a family day at the beach made the bus impractical.
5 Neighbourhood Watch
BR announced that Neighbourhood Watch had a coffee morning at Sandbanks Hotel last Friday 9th September and Pat Halliday invited us to take a table to promote what we do. BR, RP, JS attended and as a result we found some new residents who have now joined up. And we explained to others how we are opposing the parking scheme and other areas we help with. We work closely with N. W. as some of our concerns overlap e.g. Party Houses
BR also pointed that their Newsletter is available and has dates for future events.

6 New Council Options
BR said that the consultation for the amalgamation/reorganisation of councils started at the end of August and he outlined some of the options currently proposed and that there are “roadshow” drop in sessions, and the next one is outside Budgens in Broadstone on Friday. Also that the questionnaire and more information is online at BOP website.
Several members pointed out that the survey is available in local libraries and that only 20,000 have been posted out to individual homes.
BR pointed out that some of the cards giving the options were available provided by MH on Monday.
While the objective is to reduce costs and save money it was noted that over 70% of the budget is spent on child, and elderly services so savings by reducing some staff will not make a huge saving.
MRH said the financial basis on which the reorganisation is based has many flaws and does not show how the savings will be made unless you read the Local Partnerships’ Financial Analysis report which is difficult to follow.
Several members pointed out that there is little information available on which we are meant to make a decision.
A member was concerned that the financial planning was not properly done and that the planning and information available is very poor.
MRH pointed out that the Financial Analysis report shows that new Town Councils for Christchurch and Weymouth were being considered, but none for Poole and Bournemouth. It appears that existing Town and Parish Councils across Dorset are to remain. A member observed that if ceremonial Mayors were to be retained, then it would be necessary to have Town Councils.
A member queried whether there would be extra funding from the Government, but
MRH said that this has happened with the creation of Combined Authorities with elected Mayors and extra responsibilities, but was not applicable to the proposed Local Authority mergers.
BR mentioned the ORS firm doing the consultation, and MH pointed out that it is more market research than consultation.
A member noted that there had already been a consultation on a Combined Authority for Dorset.
Suggestions were made to combine the whole area as a unitary council but BR explained, and MI confirmed that the whole area would be too big.
MH discussed the funding around having Mayors.
TS clarified that there are two totally different exercises here. One is the merging of the nine councils into two Unitary Authorities, one urban and one rural. Separate from that there is the Dorset Authority which is linked in with the LEP. The LEP is the source of funding from Government but the LEP was being run my commercial managers with little democratic input so now they have made the leaders of the nine councils on the board and they have two responsibilities, one is transport for the whole county, and two the economic development for the whole county.
RP informed the meeting that on Monday MH had suggested the plan was to reduce staffing and other costs and save millions but that is unlikely to save very much.
BR suggested that MH, who had offered to talk to our committee could perhaps talk to our members at a meeting.
MRH was concerned that the harmonisation of council taxes was based on the assumption that Poole’s council taxpayers would be paying annual increases of 3.99% for the next 20 years, doubted the calculations and suggested that Poole residents will be paying an extra 3.99% for the next 20 years.
WM had also said that it would fall to the Tax payers to make up any shortfall.
The general feeling expressed by several members was that we had insufficient evidence on which to make a judgement so the consultation is largely irrelevant.
John Sprackling (JS) suggested we may need a public meeting to be more informed.
7 Planning issues
Report from Tracy Holmes was read out by BR

1 Beaumont Road, Poole, BH13 7JJ
Application: Demolition of the existing building and construction of three detached houses with associated parking and access (revised scheme)
9 Elmstead Road
Application: demolish existing dwelling and erect two new dwellings. Grant subject to conditions
The Gatehouse, 6 Tower Road West, Poole, BH13 6LA
Application: Use of The Gatehouse as a self-contained and non-ancillary unit of accommodation
33 Cliff Drive, Poole
Planning Committee : Grant with conditions installation of flue stack
5-7 Chaddesley Glen

Application for flats ongoing
14 Chester Road
Application for side extension: Appeal lodged
30 Tower Road
Application for 12 flats: Ongoing
15 b Bury Rd
Tree work application: Hearing today
HMO at 14 Pinewood
Following from my correspondence with Stephen Thorne, he has made an appointment to see BR.
2 Martello Park the original approved plan has been modified to raise the height by what appears to be 1 metre. Looking into this.BR

8 Residents parking scheme
BR informed the meeting that Roger Allen had contacted Steve Dean (SD) regarding the parking problem at Ormonde, Chester roads and that area.
BR referred to SD’s reply, thanking Roger for his introduction and said that POB council would want a positive and constructive relationship with the Residents Association and that he would pass the email to our ward councillors and to the Portfolio Holder for Transportation Drew Mellor
BR read out the final line of the email “I’ll look into the background of the situation and get back to you.
Mike Wrigley (MW) introduced Himself and Fanchea Clarke who live in Chester Road heard about us from Neil Denning and told the meeting that the problem of parking in Chester Road has increased dramatically over the last 4 years.
He further told members that since Zone K was implemented there has been no survey of the present situation and when contacting the Council they feel fobbed off. Every 6 months it goes round in circles.
MI pointed out that he has met with Neil and Mike and filled in the background.
Originally Chester Road residents did not want to join the scheme and forest road had Yellow lines painted.
MW responded that time has moved on and LV employees, and the Nursing Home staff are causing congestion now.
MI explained that in the current climate this is a very minor issue which Officers are not likely to reconsider the original decision.
BR suggested LV run a Park and Ride from the underused Beach Road carpark.
Julie Reid explained that from her daily commute, the current LV park and ride goes through the narrow railway bridge and causes congestion to which MI said without it the on road parking would be much worse.
BR also added that since the item of parking had appeared on the Agenda there has been a huge number of emails regarding this and where yellow lines should and should not be.

9 Accounts
BR said the balance on the accounts is still healthy at £30457.78 and members could take a copy of the details if they wished.

AOB
JS had brought to the Chairman’s attention that at the March Cabinet Meeting it was announced that Members were keen to ensure that work was started on the process of developing a commercial approach to the use of Council Assets as soon as possible.
At last weeks Cabinet meeting, we learnt that (a) the tender process had now been concluded and the Project will be moving forward with Deloitte as the council advisors and (b) Officers have produced an issue log- which enables specific actions agreed by the group to be progressed and reported back to the Regeneration Working Group.
The tender document included the “Poole Town Centre” and Sustaining Poole’s Seafront Supplementary Planning Documents. Are we permitted to know what Council-owned assets in Canford Cliffs Ward appear on the Council’s issue log.
JS explained that not all the Council properties are listed in the issue log. The question is what Assets in the Canford Cliff Ward are included.
MRH was concerned that items that had been ruled out for development in the SPD might come back in for consideration.

Terry Stewart (president) then briefed the members on The Draft Local Plan for Poole, put out for consultation. In this there has been an increase in the number of houses to be built, 11000 or 12000 houses and the whole conurbation would be 30000 houses which if you calculate is over 40000 cars in the borough. This seems over-development in an area bounded on the south and west by the sea and Bournemouth to the east, with protected heathland to the north.
So this will result in 12 stoery towers along the river. Higher density for many areas and encroaching onto Green Belt land such as at Canford Magna, and there is a campaign group to prevent this happening on green belt. TS thinks that 450 houses a year would be more realistic and not the 710 suggested by central government.
He went on to explain the problem of the brown field sites which developers find too uneconomic to build on so they lie derelict. He suggested the Developers have us “over a barrel” as there are over a million sites countrywide with planning permission but no developer will take them on.
We will circulate the details of the campaign to protect Poole’s green belt to those interested.

Meeting closed at 8.45, The next meeting will be on 12th October 2016

To learn more about the Branksome Park, Canford Cliffs and District Residents Association please see the pines and chines site http://www.pinesandchines.co.uk

Branksome Park, Canford Cliffs & District Residents’ Association 57th Annual General Meeting

BRANKSOME PARK, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (Founded 1958)

 

57th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

CANFORD CLIFFS VILLAGE HALL

SATURDAY 23rd  APRIL 2016 @ 10.30 a.m.

 

AGENDA.
1. Welcome John Sprackling
2. Apologies ditto
3. Approval of Minutes of AGM held on 25th April 2015 ditto
4. Chairman’s Report ditto
5. Treasurer’s Report Paul Fearnley
6. Appointment of Auditor John Sprackling
7. Election of Chairman (Bob Reid has been nominated) Terry Stewart
8. Election of Executive Chairman
President: Terry Stewart
Vice Chairman: (Roger Allen has been nominated)
Treasurer: Paul Fearnley
Membership Secretary: Michael Parkin
Planning Officer: Vacant
Secretary/Minutes Secretary: Carol Parkin
Magazine Editor: John Gunton
Magazine Advertising: Roger Allen

10.50am

 

  1. Guest Speakers: Cllrs Janet Walton & May Haines, Leader & Deputy Leader of Poole Council respectively will outline the ‘pros and cons’ of the potential South East Dorset Unitary merger in the context of the continued financial pressures.

 

11.30am

 

  1. Any other business 11.45am
  2. Refreshments

 

Date of next meeting: Wednesday 11th May 2016 @ 7.30pm – Committee Room (formerly The Lounge) rear of Branksome St Aldhelms Parish Centre (Access via Lindsay Road)

Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter of Branksome Park, Canford Cliffs & Sandbanks for February 2016

Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

Branksome Park, Canford Cliffs & Sandbanks
Newsletter Editor - Pat Halliday tel. 01202 700911
Distribution Manager - Peter Waldron tel. 01202 708495

Watch Annual General Meeting – Saturday 13th February

Canford Cliffs Village Hall, Ravine Road BH3 7HT 10.30am – 12noon

All residents in our Watch area are invited to this popular FREE annual Neighbourhood Watch event.

The guest speaker will be the Police & Crime Commissioner for Dorset, Martyn Underhill. Our local Neighbourhood Policing Team will attend, but this is always subject to other priorities. You are invited to stay on afterwards to meet the speaker, talk with the Police officers about local safety and security matters and speak to active members of Neighbourhood Watch. This is an opportunity to meet like minded residents over a free glass of wine or soft drink & nibbles and speak to your Neighbourhood Watch Area Co-ordinators and other active Watch members.

Please arrive in good time to be seated and ready for a prompt start at 10.30am

Admission FREE— Everyone welcome

New Year message from Neighbourhood Watch

The mid-Winter festivities are over, and we have welcomed the New Year. The evenings are still long and dark and whilst it is cold and very damp outside this can be the time to check when the annual service is due for the house alarm, and when insurance policies are due for renewal. More importantly, you should also review insurance policies annually. Check that values are up to date. Remove any items sold or thrown away and add any new valuables whether

Christmas gifts or purchases over recent months. Record serial numbers and take photographs (with a ruler or tape measure in the frame) and attach to the receipt. Keep these in a safe, fireproof box or metal filing cabinet.

Dorset Fire & Rescue Service offer free home safety checks. They fit smoke alarms and give free home safety advice. See their website for eligibility and book your appointment online www.dorsetfire.gov.uk or phone 0800 038 2323 for details (free of charge on mobiles & landlines).

Throughout the year Dorset Police hold free bike tagging sessions at local venues. See the Dorset Police website for dates when this is available or contact our Neighbourhood Policing officers for details.

Wishing you a very safe and happy New Year.

 

Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT)

PS 1317 Ray Willmore

PC 2431 Sian Coombs, PC 2685 Aimee Garner

PCSO 5680 Linda Wilson, PCSO 6939 Chris Hardy

Follow them on TWITTER @SandbanksPolice

NPT Contact Details

Police non-emergency telephone number 101

E-mail: pp&c.snt@dorset.pnn.police.uk

Dorset Police website www.dorset.police.uk

Danger to life or crime in progress 999

How to contact Dorset Police

If your call is an emergency, i.e. a threat to life, or if a crime is in progress, always call 999 – don’t tweet or send a Facebook update. PHONE!!

For all routine or non- emergency matters, send an email to: enquires@dorset.pnn.police.uk or call 101

Crime in our area

During December, there were no house burglaries in our Watch area, but thefts of high value bicycles stored in sheds and garages have increased across Poole. Thefts from motor vehicles have also in-creased. Leave nothing on display, remove all valu-ables and always lock the vehicle even if it is parked off the road in a garage or on the drive.

See full crime figures online at www.police.uk

Dorset Alert – community messaging

Register with ‘Dorset Alert’ to receive regular infor-mation and updates from Dorset Police on criminal activity in your area. For more information contact the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) details above or log on to www.dorsetalert.co.uk

Watch Information Centre

Meet a member of Neighbourhood Watch at the Canford Cliffs Library on the first Friday of every month 10.30am-12noon. Speak to them about any issues or concerns about local safety.

A Police officer always attends and you can ask for advice on home security.

There is a small stock of safety & security items.

Flashing armbands for pedestrians and cyclists are free of charge. They help you to be seen in dark morning and evenings. Also suitable for children and dog walkers wearing dark clothing.

Recently car a registration plate was stolen from a vehicle in Penn Hill. Car registration number plate security screw kits are available for £1.50 from the Information Centre.

Pick-up free Watch window stickers.

Click Here to Download the Newsletter

NWNL-1601

Minutes of Branksome Park, Canford Cliffs & District Residents’ Association – Jan 2016

MINUTES OF BRANKSOME PARK, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 13 JAN 2016

AT 7.30PM IN CHOIR VESTRY, ST. ALDHELM’S CHURCH

PRESENT:       John Sprackling (JS)                 Chairman

 

Keith Alcroft (KA)                      Planning Officer

 

10 Members/Wardens

 

1. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTES ACTION  
JS welcomed those present.    
Apologies: Cllrs May Haines & Mohan Iyengar, John Gunton, Carol & Mike Parkin,    
Stan Alfert, Martin Heath & Tracy Holmes.    
Accuracy: JS said that he would sign the Minutes as a true and accurate record of JS  
the meeting held on 09 DECEMBER 2015  
2. MATTERS ARISING    
Poole Pottery/Old Orchard/Quay Thistle Hotel sites update: JS reported.. JS  

 

  1. Quayside (former Dolphin Quays) development – No new developments
  2. Former Poole Pottery & Swan Inn site – ditto
  3. Quay Thistle Hotel site – ditto
  4. Old Orchard House – ditto
  5. Land at West Quay Road ditto

 

Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements – update:

JS

Victoria Education Centre (Landscaping to the new entrance) No new developments

Martello Corner, Martello Road (also known as 83 Canford Cliffs Road) – (Change of use of residential garage to dentists surgery} – Appeal lodged 14/07/15. Site visit took place on 11 January 2016.

 

Community Working Group (CWG): The Minutes of the CWG meeting held on 25 WH    
November 2015 will be distributed with the Minutes of this meeting. The next      
meeting will be the AGM on 23 March 2016      
Council Budget Monitoring report (2015/16) – JS said that the Council Budget WM    
Monitoring report (1 April 2015 to 31 December 2015), Medium Term Financial Plan      
report and the report on the Council Tax for recommendation to Council is due to be      
presented at the next Cabinet meeting on 09 February 2016.      
William Mutlow expressed concern that the there was never any mention of the      
Council’s contribution to the Local Government Pension Scheme which currently runs      
at 13.6% of the Council’s payroll bill, whereas within the EU, the figure is 10%.      
Roy Pointer expressed the view that there must come a time when Local      
Government Pension Scheme will become unsustainable and employees will have to      
join a defined contribution scheme which now applies to most employees in the      
Private Sector.      
Public Rights of Way RD    
Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – No new developments.    
Karol Gorny reported that he is in touch with Rights of Way officer about establishing      
another Right of Way within the area covered by the Association. He is currently      
 

 

 

 

 

Pinecliff Gardens (Sunken garden): No new developments.

ACTION  
Community Engagement: JS said he and other Residents’ Association WH  
JS  
representatives will be attending a Meeting with representatives from Residents’  
Association and Commerce and Industry on 15 January 2016 about next years      
Budget.      
The Minutes of last month’s ‘pilot’ Community Themed meeting will be distributed      
with the Minutes of this meeting.      
Sustaining Poole’s Seafront Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)      
(Formerly Seafront Beaches Master Plan SPD): The Sustaining Poole’s Seafront      
SPD was adopted by the Full Council its meeting on 15 December 2015..      
The final adopted version of the SPD has yet to be posted on the BoP website.      
JS said that the Cabinet Forward Plan shows that a report on the proposals for the      
Beach Road car park is due to be presented at the Cabinet meeting on 12 April      
2016..      
Tony Beale said that he had visited the archive section of the Waterfront Museum but JS/TB  
had struggled to find any useful information about the dedication of the land for the      
Beach Road car park. JS said that he would provide names and contact details of      
persons who may be able to assist with his enquiries.      
Roy Pointer said that he would contact the Meyrick Estates which were very helpful      
when he was dealing with the Navitas Bay issue.      
RP was concerned about the lack of signage directing visitors to the Beach Road car      
park – the Association had raised this with the Council on many occasions in the      
past.      
Tony Beale added that this has been closed for public use since before Christmas      
and is, currently, closed.      
JS reported that he had met Mr Montgomery of Tanner & Tilley earlier in the week      
and was told that new plans have been drawn up for a much reduced version of the      
Sports Stadium at Sandbanks and these are likely to be submitted shortly.      
JS added that one of contacts wrote to him last week “I spent quite a long time      
studying the two versions of the SPD and it looked rather to me like the 2013 version      
would have meant Mr Mitchell had no chance of getting permission, whereas the      
2015 version gives him every chance of getting permission.”      
Succession planning: JS said that the Association’s Advertising Manager had been JS  
in touch earlier in the week to say that it was necessary for her to step down as,      
owing to domestic circumstances, she would, no longer, able to fulfil this role. Roger      
Allen, the former Association’s Advertising Manager, has kindly agreed to take her      
place, at least, for the next two editions. JS advised those present that some of the      
Executive were due to meet, informally, with Roger Allen the next day for a coffee at      
Compton Acres and JS would be raising the subject of his successor then.      
Chairman’s note. At the informal Executive meeting, it was suggested that in order to      
reduce the burden of the next Chairman, meetings should, in future, be held on a two      
monthly basis.      
Keith Alcroft, the Association’s Planning Officer, announced his wish to stand down at      
the Association’s AGM on 23 April 2016. So, the Association will be looking for      
nominations for the following officers at the forthcoming AGM      

 

Chairman

Vice-Chairman – Roger Allen has indicated that he might be willing to take on this role

Planning Officer

Thecatalyst for my departure has been the comments from some quarters over my

 

     
 

 

 

 

 

 

handling of the 12A Western Ave application. It is to be hoped that those who have

ACTION
had the most to say about this will now come forward to take over the Chairmanship    
and the role of Planning Officer.    
UNITING THE BOURNEMOUTH, CHRISTCHURCH AND POOLE CONURBATION    
(UTC) – JS said that he received a note that day from John Probert, the Secretary of    
the UTC Steering Committee and he would include an extract from this in the    
Minutes (see below)    
JS said that at last month’s ‘pilot’ Community Themed meeting, he had suggested    
that the Councils should engage the services of an independent consultant to review    
the proposals and William Mutlow suggested that a suitable candidate might be Prof    
Gerry Stoker of Southampton University who spoke at the UTC AGM in April 2015    
Extract from note from John Probert, the Secretary of the UTC Steering Committee    
“…It now seems that Dr. Steph Lyons is preparing the case for an unelected    
combined authority (a.k.a. Combined Economic Development Authority) – albeit    
headed by an elected mayor* – for all of geographical Dorset, which is one of just    
three options for public consultation. * In a subsequent note John Probert says “An    
elected mayor and a combined authority are “negotiable” when negotiating for    
devolved powers.“    
However, I don’t understand why a unitary authority for the urban area of S E Dorset    
should not itself be responsible for Economic Development.    
Why add a new and costly layer of bureaucracy when one of the aims is to save    
costs and streamline the structure of our local government?    
If it is said that rural Dorset is not big enough to handle economic development    
matters on its own (implying of course that the urban authority will subsidise the rural    
area) the better way forward is surely to create a Combined Economic Development    
Authority for Dorset and Wiltshire. Why isn’t the Dorset Leaders’ Growth Board    
exploring such a fourth option for the forthcoming public consultation?”    
Refreshing the Core Strategy and review of Community Infrastructure Levy: TS
(CIL) – Roy Pointer asked if the Branksome Park Conservation Area Appraisal and    
Management Plan still carried any weight, particularly, in relation to the ¾ rule.    
JS said that Terry Stewart is in touch with Steve Dring, Planning Policy &    
Implementation Manager, to request that the ¾ rule is included in the revised Core    
Strategy. Nick Perrins is due to re-commence employment with Poole’s Planning &    
Regeneration Dept next month.    
William Mutlow asked if it might be possible to know the amount of Affordable    
Housing contributions currently held by the Council. He thought that this might be a    
significant sum accumulated over a number of years. JS said that, at the previous    
day’s Cabinet meeting, the Council had authorised a grant of £603,000 for the 100%    
Affordable Housing Scheme at Holes Bay Road.    
Improving Association’s communications – No new developments. MP
Leaning garden wall at (?)25 The Avenue – Cllr MH May says that “the leaning wall MH
in The Avenue should hopefully be addressed by now as officers were going out to    
visit before Christmas.” Roy Pointer will check.    
Branksome Park & plot size: As this involves an important point of principle, with TH
the consent of the Executive, Tracy Holmes engaged the services of Boyle &    
Summers Ltd, Architecture and Masterplanning Consultants of Southampton to act    
on her behalf and the Association in opposing the 12A Western Ave application and    
the Association has agreed to cover the firm’s bill totalling £2180.    
Projection equipment for Canford Cliffs Village Hall – RP is liaising with Martin ACTION

 

Since this is where the major talks are given they were less concerned about  
portability since we have the fall back option for local talks using other screens.  
Further advice is being sought on the best projector and PC for purchase by the  
Association. This equipment would be needed to be able to give good projection  
using the large screen in the village hall of course.  
3 NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT  
JS reported that the application re Ormonde Nursing Home, 12 Pinewood Road KA
(Alterations, extensions and conversion of the building to six flats with associated  
parking and landscaping) was due to be determined at the Planning Committee  
meeting the following day – officer’s recommendation is to Grant.  
Chairman’s note: This was granted by the Committee with one Member voting  
against.  

 

Other current planning issues

4 Brackenhill (Demolish existing house and garage and construct 2 No. detached houses) – Application registered on 14 December 2015. Local concerns and Cllr MH is in touch with neighbours and reports that “it is in hand for the moment”.

Burnage Court, 6 Martello Park (Outline planning application for the demolition of the existing flatted building and the erection of a new apartment building containing 13 flats in total with associated access, cycle and bin stores) – Application validated on 28 September 2015. Letter of objection lodged on 20 October 2015.

Salterns Harbourside Hotel, 38 Salterns Way (Demolition of the existing buildings and the erection of 2 multi-storey mixed use developments containing 73 residential units, a 60 bedroom hotel as well as restaurants, offices and marina service facilities) – Controversial application.

 

  1. ACCOUNTS TO DATE – JS reported that the total Association funds as at 31 December 2015 amounted to £31,362.51. Paul Fearnley plans to get the accounts off to Schofield’s shortly.

 

6 ANY OTHER BUSINESS  
Proposal to introduce on-street charges on roads adjacent to beaches – Cllr MH JS
asked JS to mention that a proposal to introduce on-street charges on roads adjacent  
to beaches is going to the Transportation Advisory Group meeting next Thursday  
(12/01/16). The committee are asked to recommend going out to consultation on this.  
This will cover roads in Sandbanks and Canford Cliffs village.  
Chairman’s note: This proposal was well aired land rejected less the two years ago  
at the Call-in Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 27 February 2014 -Minutes  
available via http://ha2.boroughofpoole.com/akspoole/users/public/admin/kab12.pl?  
cmte=CIC&meet=15&arc=71  
Embankment fall at Branksome Dene Chine – Ray Wylde asked about this and JS No
said that he would include an extract from a note received from the Council on this further
subject. action

 

“The work has been agreed and formally licensed to be carried out in accordance with our design approval. The cost of the project is all at the property owners expense apart from some of my time as a supervising engineer. Interestingly the sandy gravel fill material is coming straight from major excavation works at Christchurch hospital. It is ideal for use on this site as it is naturally well graded for compaction and has good drainage properties.

 

At present the slope is initially being filled to provide a high level work platform to enable the stabilisation and reinstatement of the owners garden behind the piled wall

Minutes Of The Branksome, Canford Cliffs & District Residents Association December 2015

MINUTES OF THE BRANKSOME, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF BRANKSOME PARK, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 09 DEC 2015

AT 7.30PM IN CHOIR VESTRY, ST. ALDHELM’S CHURCH

PRESENT:

John Sprackling (JS)

Chairman

Michael Parkin (MP)

Membership Secretary

Keith Alcroft (KA)

Planning Officer

Carol Parkin (CP)

Secretary/Minutes Secretary

John Gunton (JG)

Magazine Editor

Cllr Mrs May Haines (MH)

Canford Cliffs Ward Councillor

10 Members/Wardens

1. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTES

JS welcomed those present, particularly, Cllr Mrs May Haines

Apologies: Terry Stewart, William Mutlow, Wayne Hancock & Martin Heath

Accuracy: JS said that he would sign the Minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting held on 11 NOVEMBER 2015

JS

2. MATTERS ARISING

Poole Pottery/Old Orchard/Quay Thistle Hotel sites update: JS reported..

JS

1.Quayside (former Dolphin Quays) development – No new developments

2.Former Poole Pottery & Swan Inn site – ditto

3.Quay Thistle Hotel site – ditto

4.Old Orchard House – ditto

5.Land at West Quay Road ditto

Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements – update:

JS

Victoria Education Centre (Landscaping to the new entrance) No new developments

Martello Corner, Martello Road (also known as 83 Canford Cliffs Road) – (Change of

use of residential garage to dentists surgery} – Appeal lodged 14/07/15. Date of site

visit not yet announced.

16 Western Avenue (Erection of Single Storey Garden Room) – Application granted

by Planning Committee at it’s meeting on 03 December 2015.

Community Working Group (CWG): The Minutes of the CWG meeting held on 25

WH

November 2015 are not yet available and the next meeting will be the AGM on 23

March 2016

Council Budget Monitoring report (2015/16) – In the absence of William Mutlow,

WM

JS reported that the Council Budget Monitoring report (1 April 2015 to 30 September

2015) presented at the Cabinet meeting yesterday shows an end of year surplus of

£0.7m.

WM has sent JS the following note about the Council Budget Monitoring report (1 April

2015 to 30 September 2015)

A number of budgets within Children’s Social Care Services have continued to

overspend with significant mitigation provided from savings in other budgets across

the People Theme. The small surplus delivered overall is from reduced demand within

key budgets in the Place Theme, across Business Improvement activity and from the

receipt of Community Infrastructure Levy to support financing the Twin Sails Bridge.

The improved forecast outturn includes a saving within central financing of £0.5m over

the second quarter and a further growth of £0.3m in Children’s Social Care, to give an

annual forecast overspend for this Service of £1m for the year. The increased ACTION pressure is largely offset by savings within Education Services after allowing for two

additional resources agreed by Cabinet in September.

A number of budgets within Adult Social Care (ASC) have moved favourably over the quarter with a net movement of £1.3m, giving a total for the year of £1.6m. The favourable movement includes retention of unspent grant of £0.6m from the postponement to 2020 of the implementation of the Care Act Part 2, reduced budget pressures and additional income of £0.7m.

The net favourable movement in ASC budget variances has been offset by the need to take account of the increased cost of £1.4m from a revised Ordinary Resident claim from Dorset County Council (DCC). The Council’s final accounts for 2014/15 and the June 2015 Council Budget Monitoring report for 2015/16 were prepared on the basis of an agreement with officers from DCC. in July 2015. A creditor of £0.4m was set up for an agreed back-pay element. Poole had begun making payments directly to care providers for the accepted clients from the start of the financial year in good faith that a back pay element was close to agreement. However in October, DCC confirmed that they were not going to abide by the agreement reached in July. A fresh claim was submitted including that Poole should accept funding responsibility for further clients and from an earlier point in time. This higher claim was for £1.8m.

The Council is not accepting the additional £1.4m is now due to DCC, with officers continuing to negotiate a fair settlement and we are required to set aside a provision to reflect the potential liability until the matter is resolved.

Taking into account the above issues, the net forecast pressure across the People Theme is £0.6m. Work is ongoing to establish the extent to which there will continue to be a pressure over the period of the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).

Other services and central items are forecasting combined net savings of £1.3 million to offset additional costs within the People Theme and deliver the surplus overall. The most significant savings are within Transportation Services (£0.5m), across Business Improvement Services (£0.3m) and growing Community Infrastructure Levy receipts supporting financing of the Twin Sails Bridge to replace payments previously charged to the General Fund (£0.5m).

The current Capital programme is £26m with expenditure in the half year at £10.9m, representing 42% of annual spend. This reflects the profile of individual project expenditure within the overall programme.

The Forecast revenue variance movements June to September 2015 greater than £100,000.

£292k increase for Children – Looked After: Pressures continue to grow for placements of Children.

£145k saving in Children – Education Staff Costs: Vacancies in the Capital Team and other service areas.

£111k saving in Children – Education – Other Savings: Education Services Grant retained due to schools not converting to academy status (£75k) saving plus other net saving (£36k).

£579k saving in ASC – Care Act (Parts 1 & 2) Implementation: Further savings following Government announcement of implementation delay to 2020 of Part 2 and the grant can be retained to support budget pressures.

£359k saving in ASC – Residential Care & Community Based Services: Main items: “Reduced over spending on Learning Disabilities from potential service users not taking up care, plus existing clients moving to more cost-effectivepackages (209k saving) Clients aged 18-24 leaving care (£106k saving).”

£171k saving in ASC – Other Income: Client contributions from fairer charges (£77k) plus other income (£94k)

£165k saving in ASC – Ordinary Resident Claims (excluding Dorset): Ordinary resident claims settled without back-pay and with lower on-going

costs than provided.

£1,362k increase in ASC – Ordinary Resident Claim Dorset: Increase in

Dorset claim from position agreed in July 2015. Correspondence in October

MINUTES OF THE BRANKSOME, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

confirmed Dorset are pursuing a higher claim to include additional clients and

ACTION

for 6 full years of historic costs.

£250k saving in ECPS – Waste Disposal: Sustained reduced tonnage over the first

half year expected to continue.

£216k increase for ECPS – Street Scene: Additional drainage works and carriageway

& footway repairs.

£702k saving in Prudential Borrowing

£1,200k increase for Poole Bridge Funding Contribution: Community Infrastructure

Levy receipts applied to replace the forward funding previously used for the Twin Sails

Bridge. This has allowed the General Fund to be compensated for previous Minimum

Revenue Provisions (MRP) made.

Earmarked reserves at the 1 April 2015 was £24.2m, with £3.6m programmed to

support the 2015/16 Budget. Details of forecast movements greater than £100,000

since June 2015 totalling £885k:

Grant Related £248K saving

Reserves Supporting the MTFP £255K saving

Culture and Community £191k saving

Corporate Maintenance £158k saving

Corporate Re-organisation Fund £143k saving

Schools Dedicated Schools Grant £328k increase

NHS Partnership in ASC £188k increase

Carbon Management Programme £89k increase

Street Scene £57k increase

Preventing Homelessness £0 change

Reserves to support the 2015/16 budget £0 change

ICT reserve virement to capital £250k increase

ASC reserve virement to capital £0 change

Public Rights of Way

RD

Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – No new developments.

Pinecliff Gardens (Sunken garden): No new developments.

WH

Community Engagement: At its meeting on 15 December, the Council is being

TS

asked to adopt the revised Statement of Community Involvement, with the provision

that notification to neighbours by letter remain unchanged and that minor changes be

delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration including Building Consultancy

Services in consultation and the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for this area.

JS reported that he had attended a ‘pilot’ Community Themed meeting at the Civic

Centre this morning which was attended a wide group of residents representatives

from throughout the Borough. Notes of the meeting will be circulated as soon as these

are available.

Agenda items included the following presentation by Cllrs Mrs Walton and Mrs Haines

Combined Authority Business Case for new Unitary Authority

Current position on Council budget for 2016/17

Proposal for change to waste collection

Sustaining Poole’s Seafront Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

TS

(Formerly Seafront Beaches Master Plan SPD): The Sustaining Poole’s Seafront

SPD was recommended for adoption by the Full Council at the Cabinet meeting on 08

December 2015.. This includes the following proposals for Branksome & Branksome

Dene beaches…

6.5 Branksome Beach – A Window on the Beaches

The height of the cliff and spread of vegetation combine with the curve of the cliffs to present an opportunity for panoramic views from a new café/restaurant projecting from Western Road car park. Subject to full technical reports and identified SNCI

mitigation, this new Sky Café could be a truly iconic addition. Whether a destination

or a family café, an elegant architectural and engineering solution would be

ACTION

restaurantMINUTES OF THE BRANKSOME, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

required.

Redevelopment of the existing library site for flatted development with provision of

new community facilities could be proposed.

Cllr MH said that there would need to be a replacement facility before there could be a

decision to demolish Canford Cliffs library.

6.6 Branksome Dene Beach – The Watersports Beach

Change here could include a new and larger community and leisure venue in an

elevated position with an enlarged terrace and a handful of rooms for hire. It could

include new changing space, toilets and showers. A kiosk could be located on a deck

that projects over the sand in a similar style to the decks at Shore Beach and Canford

Cliffs. Identified parts of the woodland of the Chine shall be managed and reinforced

to retain or create ecological habitats. Furthermore the woodland could be accessed

via a new rope zip wire? adventure activity feature, and watersports should be

supported here (subject to approval of environmental reports and mitigation) with

improved facilities and access.

The beach area is the preferred location for a watersports hub to be built. Storage

space for small craft and changing facilities for users could combine with training and

teaching areas, as currently exists for the Branksome Chine Surf Life Saving Club. It

is possible that it could be managed by a commercial operator.

Additional 8 beach huts could be constructed, of which all could be capable of

overnight accommodation.

Tony Beale asked if, when the area of the Branksome Beach car park and the chine

was ceded to the council, there were any covenants put on this at that time. JS said

that this needed to be looked into.

Succession planning: No new developments.

JS

Uniting the Conurbation (Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch) – the Council

JS

exploring options for the future of local government in Poole, Bournemouth and

Dorset

Option 1 – A Pan-Dorset Unitary Council including all nine councils in

Dorset

This option is a single unitary council to provide local government services for the

whole Dorset county area as well as Poole and Bournemouth. This would bring

together the current two unitary councils with the County Council and District

Councils, creating a single tier authority.

A unitary Council for this area would be the third largest local authority in England,

smaller than Birmingham and Leeds, larger than Sheffield.

Option 2 – A Unitary Council for South East Dorset This proposal is to create a

new unitary Council to provide local government services for Poole, Bournemouth,

Christchurch and East Dorset to come into effect in April 2019.

This would bring together the services of five Councils for the South East Dorset area

i.e. the two unitary Councils (Poole and Bournemouth), the two District Councils

(Christchurch and East Dorset) and the relevant part of Dorset County Council.

A new unitary Council for South East Dorset would be bigger, for example, than

Bristol, Southampton, Reading or Brighton and Hove.

Given that the proposal affects the Dorset County Council area, it will be necessary to

consider the costs and benefits of a revised local government structure for the rest of

the County area comprising the four District Councils and Dorset County Council.

creation of a new unitary council for South East Dorset would need to be

The

MINUTES OF THE BRANKSOME, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

ACTION

balanced by a new arrangement in the rest of Dorset. This could be retention of the

status quo or a new unitary council for the areas of Purbeck, North Dorset, West

Dorset and Weymouth& Portland Councils.

Option 3 – No change – Retain the existing local government structure The two

unitary councils in Poole and Bournemouth and the two tier structure in the Dorset

area with a County Council and six district councils would remain as they are.

Refreshing the Core Strategy and review of Community Infrastructure Levy:

TS

(CIL) – No new developments.

Improving Association’s communications – No new developments.

MP

Autumn 2015 ‘Pines & Chines’ magazine – Nothing to report

No

further

action

Leaning garden wall at (?)25 The Avenue – Cllr MH will follow up.

MH

Branksome Park & plot size: In the absence of Tracy Holmes, JS reported that KA

TH

had drafted a letter to go to the Planning Inspectorate refuting a number of assertions

made by Mr Horden in relation to the meeting between, himself, JS and Mr Horden in

April 2015.

Chairman’s note: I omitted to report that Terry Stewart has written a letter to Cllr Ian

Potter, the Portfolio Holder responsible for Planning & Regeneration, seeking the

requirement that all sites in the Branksome Park Conservation Area be a minimum of

0.3 hectares be reinstated in the Core Strategy.

3 NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

KA reported

16 Western Avenue (Erect a single storey garden room (Retrospective) – Application 

KA

granted by Planning Committee at its meeting on 03 December 2015.

66, 68 & 68A Lilliput Road (Outline planning application for the demolition of the

existing properties and the erection of two separate apartment buildings containing 20

flats in total with associated access, cycle and bin stores) – Application refused by

Planning Committee at its meeting on 03 December 2015.

Other current planning issues

Salterns Harbourside Hotel, 38 Salterns Way (Demolition of the existing buildings

and the erection of 2 multi-storey mixed use developments containing 73 residential

units, a 60 bedroom hotel as well as restaurants, offices and marina service facilities)

Controversial application

Ormonde Nursing Home, 12 Pinewood Road (Outline application for alterations,

extensions and conversion of the building to six flats with associated parking and

landscaping) – The Association lodged a letter of objection to this application on 13

August 2015. Still a ‘current application’.

5.

ACCOUNTS TO DATE – JS reported that the total Association funds as at 30

JS

November 2015 amounted to £31,420.22

6

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Former Cllr Neil Sorton – JS said he was very sorry to inform those present that Neil

passed away on 06 December 2015. The funeral will be held at 1.30pm at Canford

All

Magna Church, Merley, BH21 3AF on 17 December 2015 followed by a private

cremation.

09

Projection equipment for Canford Cliffs Village Hall – RP reported that at the

RP

Neighbourhood Watch conference in the Canford Cliffs Village Hall, there was an embarrassing amount of trouble with the Power-point presentations. He suggested that maybe the Association could donate funds to be used for some equipment which could be used by all groups needing such equipment. JS suggested that RP liaise with Martin Heath who is a Trustee of Canford Cliffs Village Hall.

The meeting concluded at 8.00pm with Mulled wine and mince pies.

Date of next Meeting: Wednesday – 13 January 2016 – Committee Room (formerly Lounge), Rear of Branksome St Aldhelms Parish Centre (Access via Lindsay Road.

The meeting closed at 8.20pm..

ACTION

All

Notes from Poole Residents’ Themed Meeting Dec 2015

Notes from Poole Residents’ Themed Meeting
Wednesday 9th December 2015, Cattistock Suite, Civic Centre

Attendees:

Sue Bellamy (SB) Poole Quays Forum
Vickie Campbell (VC) Secretary, Canford Heath Neighbourhood Watch
David Gillard (DG) Society of Poole Men Christopher Jackson (CJ) Uniting the Conurbation Allen Lewis (AL) Resident, Broadstone
Monique Munroe (MM) Canford Heath Neighbourhood Watch / Ideas2Actions / Poole CVS Ken Sanson (KS) Chairman, Sandbanks Association
Bob Smith (BS) Bourne Valley Action Group
Jackie Smith (JaS) Bourne Valley Action Group
John Sprackling (JS) Chairman, Branksome Park & Canford Cliffs District Residents
Assoc.
Graham Tuffin (GT) Chairman, Talbot Village Residents Association

Cllr Janet Walton, Leader of the Council (JW)
Cllr May Haines, Deputy Leader of Council (MH) Cllr Karen Rampton
Cllr Drew Mellor
Cllr Mohan Iyengar

The meeting started at 10:38

1. Welcome and introductions

MH introduced the meeting, reminding attendees that the agenda had been circulated beforehand and that notes would be circulated afterwards.

All attendees introduced themselves.

2. Combined Authority

JW confirmed that:

2.1 The term ‘combined authority’ was used to describe a formal governance structure to strengthen councils’ collective approach to strategic decisions on transport, economic development and regeneration
2.2 Leaders of the 9 councils in Dorset had proposed so far to include only transport and economic development in the functions of a combined authority for the county
2.3 Borough of Poole (BoP) would retain its sovereignty and its own teams for economic development and transport
2.4 There would be a benefit in having a single point of contact between Dorset and central government on strategic matters.
2.5 The greater benefit would be in the ability to bid for larger opportunities and attract new sources of funding

Residents made the following observations:

2.6 There could be an advantage of a strategic view being taken across Dorset and from having a single point of contact for discussions across the councils rather than the many-to-many arrangement now.
2.7 The function would need to have a legal status and an overview/scrutiny mechanism in place.
2.8 The voting mechanism in the cross-county function needed to ensure equitable outcomes. (For instance, issues at a ward or district level should not be at risk of being voted down by members who were remote from the issue).
2.9 The central function had to be empowered to make decisions for the good of Dorset, recognising that each council would be inclined to argue for its own interests

2.10 Equally, a central function could be against the principle of ‘local solutions to local problems’. As such, its design was important to ensure it had residents’ support.
2.11 The new function would have a challenge to be effective with only a remit for transport and economic development when there would be dependencies to/from many other functions which remained under local control. (JW agreed that this was a risk to manage in the set-up of any function).
2.12 There was the possibility for all external contracting to be done pan-Dorset by the
new function, in the context of the business of a combined authority. (However, JW responded on this point that this wasn’t the current intention)
2.13 A combination with Bournemouth could be useful if such things as roads-planning and maintenance could be aligned
2.14 The proposed new function would be a combined administration across Dorset to serve strategic purposes

3. Business Case for Unitary Authority

JW confirmed that:

3.1 The discussions for a possible South-East Dorset single unitary authority were in response to central government’s wish for local authorities to become more ambitious and innovative. The discussions were also supported by the Local Government Association (LGA).
3.2 The intention was to explore the possibility of a single unitary authority for south-east Dorset.
The leaders and chief executives of those councils had met in October 2015, resulting in an agreement to explore three alternative ways forward, namely:
a. a Dorset-wide unitary authority covering the territory represented by the current 9 councils;
b. a south-east Dorset unitary authority covering the territories of Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and East Dorset councils; or
c. a continuation of the current arrangement of councils
3.3 Council’s approval would be sought in December 2015 to draw up business cases for these options.
3.4 Once business cases had been developed – over approximately 3-4 months – the discussion would come back into council to debate the way forward.
3.5 There was a strong feeling across the leader and cabinet to protect Poole’s identity and sovereignty, incl. heritage and mayoralty.

Residents made the following observations:

3.6 The 5 councils outside the south-east could in theory form their own unitary. (Though JW confirmed that the only idea so far in this regard had been raised by Dorset County Council for a Dorset-wide unitary).
3.7 External expertise should be used to look objectively across all options and to challenge robustly for efficiencies and benefits. (JW responded that this would happen and that the Local Government Association would support the development of business cases, but not their evaluation).
3.8 If council tax increases were capped by central government, the main benefits from any join- ups had to be from cost savings. (JW added that Borough of Poole had achieved £60m in efficiencies since 2010 and would be finding another £20 by 2020. But the emphasis would be on fostering economic growth and improving the value-for-money of services, not just cuts per se).
3.9 There was a wish to keep Poole’s identity. A unitary could have more influence with central government and would offer economies of scale. But the defence of Poole’s heritage would be important in fostering residents’ support. (JW concurred with this point).
3.10 It was important for councillors to know residents’ views. Would there be a referendum? (JW replied that public consultation – as well as face-to-face meetings – would include digital communication to reach people and canvass opinion. For example, the ‘Email Me’ newsletter now had 35,000 subscribers in the Borough. So while face-to-face would remain important, the intention was to use a range of options to reach across the community.

First of all it was important to develop the cost-benefit analyses for the options and then to identify the key questions for debate.
3.11 Support was expressed for the approach to develop business cases first. It was important to take the time to develop complete scenarios and describe their benefits to residents. This would be more meaningful than asking for public opinion before knowing the facts and evidence in those business cases.

4. Current position on Council budget for 2016/17

MH confirmed that:

4.1 Poole council had a challenge to reduce expenditure by £18-20 million over the next 4 years.
The target was deliberately quoted in a range rather than a point figure to give room to manoeuvre where new requirements from central government carried the risk of bringing further challenges.
4.2 At the start of the fiscal year beginning 1st April 2016, the forecast challenge was £5.8m for that year – taking a view of the central government funding settlement. At the time of the October’15 forecast, that gap had been revised down to £3.9m and most recently revised to
£1.6m.
4.3 The gap-reduction had been achieved by taking difficult decisions. The more straight-forward savings in support areas had been made – such as non-replacement of staff leaving, part- time working and rationalisation of services. (An example given was Streetscene – now a
one-stop-shop for street maintenance rather than the complex multi-team arrangement it replaced). Other changes included:
a. Adjustments to the green-bin collection and charges b. Reduced grants to voluntary organisations
c. Rationalised office space – such as the vacation of St John’s House and the incorporation of the transport team into Civic Centre
d. Reduction in the square-meterage of a workspace in the office
4.4 There was a £13.7m target for cost-reduction to 2020. As the opportunities in Poole-unitary became harder to find, there was a need to collaborate with partners outside Poole for further improvements – hence, the explorations into combined authority and ‘quads’.
4.5 Unless arrangements were to change, Poole Council remained legally responsible for the provision of council services to the Borough.
4.6 Two types of reserves were defined:
a. Earmarked (held for a specific purpose) reserves b. Unearmarked (general) reserves

Following a review, a request would be put to council in December 2015 for a further £1.5m to be taken from earmarked reserves to help support the MTFP over 3 years from 2016/17.

5. Proposal for change to waste collection

MH confirmed that:

5.1 Poole’s current practice of weekly black-bin collections was in a minority, as 70% of other councils across the UK collected bi-weekly.
5.2 A working group had explored waste-collection in depth over more than a year. In phase 1
they had examined whether food-waste could be a separate collection, taking the experiences from the Isle of Wight, but concluded this wasn’t yet viable for Poole. In phase 2, the examination was whether bi-weekly collections brought undesirable effects such as overflowing bins and vermin. The experience from other councils was that it did not.
5.3 The potential move to bi-weekly collection in Poole would, however, offer exceptions to residents with a demonstrably greater need for waste collection, such as larger families with young children and those with medical conditions.

Residents made the following observations:

5.4 Would there be staff reductions if collections were halved? (MH replied that some staff reductions were likely)
5.5 Poole and Bournemouth used different colour-schemes for bins. To align them could be an item for the ‘quads’ discussions.
5.6 Food waste could be recycled as fuel pellets. (MH replied that food waste was already recovered. A proportion of that waste was sent to New Earth Solutions where a mechanical recovery was done, allowing minimal divert to landfill).
5.7 The website www.weneedthat.com was mentioned as helpful in regard to recycling.

6. Questions and Answers / Open Forum

Residents made the following points

6.1 Other cost savings could be pursued such as outsourcing and pension management, dog- wardens and tree-wardens. (MH replied that some outsourcing had already been achieved, such as with Tricuro in adult social care, and that all options would be explored. For example, another potential opportunity was to take over the management of Bournemouth’s refuse site for a fee)
6.2 Residents could be asked to pay a little more council tax to protect services.
6.3 External expertise should be sought by the council to drive opportunities in commercialism. A resident felt that someone with the skills and appropriate incentive could bring more urgency and transparency to the commercial area. (MH suggested that more general details could be shared, but not items which were commercially sensitive – and this point was accepted).
6.4 The Transparency pages on the Borough of Poole website needed to be updated.
6.5 In response to a question on business rates and the Chancellor’s statement, MH reminded everyone that the current “50/50” scheme still left Poole only 25 pence in the Pound. The new statement that local councils could retain 100% of business rates from 2020 was promising but in her view was likely to come with extra responsibilities as a quid-pro-quo. Those responsibilities could become clearer in consultations with central government in 2016 but for now the mood was cautious.
6.6 In response to another question MH mentioned that the annual meeting on council budget would be held on 22nd January 2016 and that any anyone who wished to attend was asked to let her or Fiona Fryer (f.fryer@poole.gov.uk) know in advance.

7. Feedback
7.1 Forms were circulated, completed and returned by attendees.
7.2 In the spirit of respecting the confidentiality of peoples’ feedback, a general summary was that the meeting was well received and that the limited attendance allowed a high level of quality discussion. A challenge going forward would be to retain this value while reaching out to
larger groups.

The meeting closed at 12:20.

Community Working Group Meeting Minutes – BPCCRA November

COMMUNITY WORKING GROUP MEETING MINUTES

Planning & Regeneration Services including Building Consultancy

Wednesday, 25th November 2015 2.00pm – 4.45 p.m. Room 134

 

ATTENDEES:

Borough of Poole Attendees:

Stephen Thorne (ST) Head of Planning & Regeneration inc Building Consultancy (Chair)
Richard Genge (RTG) Planning and Regeneration Manager
Sue Ludwig (SPL) Business Manager
Clare Taylor (CPT) PA to Stephen Thorne

 

Community Groups / Resident Associations Attendees:

Graham Whitehall

Ann Wood Chris Allenby Brian Finch Pat Bullock Malcolm Tyler

(GW) (AW) (CA) (BF) (PB) (MT) The Lilliput and Neighbourhood Association (LANA) Hamside Residents Association

Poole Quays Forum

Friends of Harbour Reach

Friends of Hamworthy Park

Lake Residents Association

Terence Stewart

Gerald Rigler

(TS)

(GR)

Branksome Park, Canford Cliffs and District Residents Association

Society of Poole Men & Broadstone N Forum

 

Apologies External:-

Ken Bearcroft

Tony Hamilton

(KB) (TH) Parkstone Bay Association

Poole Agenda 21

 

Tim Cundey Wayne Hancock Candice McMahon

 

(TC) (WH) (CM)

 

Watch this Space

Branksome Park, Canford Cliffs and District Residents Association

Lake Residents Association

 

Apologies Borough of Poole:-

Keith Pegram

Steve Dring

(KDP)

(SD)

Change and Performance Manager

Senior Planning Officer

 

  1. Around the Table Introductions

ST welcomed all to the meeting.

  1. Minutes and Matters Arising – last regular CWG meeting held Thursday, 24th

September 2015

ST requested comments on the minutes from the last meeting. The following items were raised:

 

Item 8 – Nitrates in Poole Harbour SPD. Please provide the link to the background paper. The link is:

http://www.poole.gov.uk/planning-and-buildings/planning/ldp/spds/nitrogen-reduction/

 

Item 6 – Timetable for Policy Documents. It was noted that this is much clearer.   GR advised that he had emailed BoP regarding the Poole Core Strategy Review. The Strategic Planning and the Duty to Co-operate and Strategic Planning Forum was discussed in detail. ST explained regarding the Local Plan process, the Growth Board, LEP, LNP, Place & Prosperity Group and the way in which these work and fit in with each other.

 

TS requested that BoP provide an organisational chart of the CEO’s. ST will look at this.

 

Action: ST to prepare an organisational chart of the CEO’s in respect of the Strategic

Planning and the Duty to Cooperate.

 

BPCCRA Minutes 10th August 2011

MINUTES OF THE BRANKSOME, CANFORD Parajumpers Jacka Herr CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE MEETING

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 10th AUGUST 2011

AT 7.30PM IN ‘THE LOUNGE’, BRANKSOME ST. ALDHELM’S PARISH CENTRE

PRESENT:

John Sprackling (JS) Chairman

Wayne Hancock (WH)Vice-Chairman

Carol Parkin (CP)Secretary

Keith Alcroft (KA)Planning Officer

John Gunton (JG) MAgazine Editor

Cllr Mrs May Haines (MH)Ward Councillor

Cllr Neil Sorton ditto

Approx. 15 Members/Wardens

1. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTES
JS welcomed Cllrs Neil Sorton & Mrs May Haines and all those present.
Apologies: Apologies received from Terry Stewart (Funeral), Stan Alfert (New Grandson), Michael Bond, Bob & Phyllis Young, Chris Stracey & Ken Sanson.

Accuracy: After receiving no comments, JS said that he would sign the Minutes as a true    JS and accurate record of the meeting held on 13 JULY 2011.

2. MATTERS ARISING

Poole Pottery/Old Orchard/Quay Thistle Hotel sites update: JS reported…
1.    Quayside (former Dolphin Quays) development – No new developments

2.    Former Poole Pottery & Swan Inn site – ditto

3.    Quay Thistle Hotel site – ditto

4.    Old Orchard House. 39-61 High Street – ditto

5.    Land at West Quay Road (Mixed use regeneration and new public quayside to include; the demolition of a listed gate post and all existing buildings on site; the redevelopment of the site with 373 residential units provided in six apartment blocks with basement parking and courtyard) – Amended plans lodged on 07/06/11.

Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements – update:
19 Mornish Road (Tree replacement) – The property remains unsold. Any prospective purchaser will be advised of the legal requirement to plant a replacement tree to a specification detailed in the tree replacement notice
55 Canford Cliffs Road (Removal of the gates, railings, fence and hedge, and the erection of a low stone wall with planting behind) – ditto

Current planning enforcement issues
147 Banks Road (Damage to four Corsican pines) – Next Court Hearing fixed for 17 -19th October 2011 at Bournemouth Magistrates Court.
Victoria Education Centre (St Aldhelms Road entrance) – The school has carried out some suitable planting and erected a chain link fence.
2 Compton Avenue & 93 Lilliput Road (Boundary treatment) – No new developments.
Land adj. to 20A Chaddesley Glen (Land be reinstated) – – thditto
23 Ravine Road (Unauthorized tree work) Court Hearing adjourned to 12th August 10am Bournemouth Magistrates Court, Stafford Road

Community Working Group (CWG): WH attended this afternoon’s CWG meeting but said that there were no Agenda items particularly effecting the Association and the    WH Minutes of the meeting will be circulated as soon as these were available.

JS said that his question about the open metal gates proviso in the Branksome Park Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan had not found its way onto the Agenda. If it is felt that this is no longer relevant, then it should be deleted. Having provisos which are ignored in practice undermines the authority of the Conservation Area Management Plan.

Poole Partnership – JS said that he has still to contact Sylvia Webster, Neighbourhood Manager, Bourne Estate.

Public Rights of Way:

Westminster Road end of Dalkeith Road – No new developments.

Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – ditto

Bessborough Road – ditto

Footpath 82 Spur –JS reported that the RMYC has just lodged a planning application (Construct an extension to the existing marina basin. Removal of part of hardstanding and provision of public footpath to foreshore) which it is hoped will resolve the problem of Footpath 82 Spur.

Possible Charitable Status for Assn: Mike Parkin reported that he has been in touch with a colleague who runs a multi-million pound autistic charity and the conclusion from this exchange was that it would be too much hassle on the part of the Association for relatively little reward – that is assuming that the Association is granted charitable status, which is not at all sure. There was some discussion on this amongst the members and the general conclusion was that it would present the Association with too much trouble for little reward. It was agreed that this item to be deleted from further consideration at this time.
Canford Cliffs Play Area/Pinecliff Gardens (Sunken garden): JS reported that the official opening of the new Treasure island play area above Canford Cliffs chine takes place tomorrow at 2.00pm. Chairman’s Note: I attended this event along with other members of the Association, our three Ward Councillors and a large group residents with their children. The official opening was a great success, Congratulations to all involved with this project.
WH reported that all was going well with the Sunken Garden, and that he would soon be ready for an injection of money from the Association for replanting. He estimated that initially he would need £500/750. JS asked the members for a show of hands to approve that this amount would be made available, and it was duly passed with no objections up to the value of £750..
CP asked for a vote of thanks to WH for his work on this project, both in getting it off the ground and his physical efforts at the working group each week. This was recognised by the Chairman who thanked WH.

Poole Council’s Efficiency Review Programme: JS reported that it was announced last Friday that Councils must publish lists of their assets. A review of the Corporate Asset Management Plan is to be presented at the Council Efficiency and Effectiveness Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 22/09/11.

Localism Bill: WH said that this subject was discussed at the CWG meeting he had been at today. This Bill is going through its third reading at the present time and is constantly changing.

Council Tax 2010/11 & Council’s Budget Monitoring report: nothing to report as there has not been any Cabinet meetings since the Association’s last meeting.

Public Liability Insurance (PLI) – Jan Robins said that she had had some experience in this matter through her involvement with the National Trust and agreed to seek advice about this on behalf of the Association.

Hedge at Kenilworth Court – MH doesn’t think this is worth pursuing any further as she is not getting any response to her letters.

Offshore Wind Farm – Roy Pointer reported that, as far as he can see, the Government have powers to enable this to go ahead. It is proposed that 200+ windmills will be erected West of the Isle of Wight. NS reported that the Councillors for Canford Cliffs Ward have been in touch with Robert Syms (MP). Mr. Syms and other concerned local MPs have asked for a meeting with the Secretary of State for Energy. If the Wind farm can be seen from the mainland, they will ask for the turbines to be sited further offdhore. There followed a lot of discussion amongst the members, mainly in opposition to the turbines both from an aesthetic and economical point of view. NS offered to ascertain the latest position on this and the statistics on the number of failures of existing turbines from Robert Syms.
Lindsay Road and St Aldhelms Road Junction – No further developments

3.    NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
JS reported that Keith Alcroft had not been contacted about any planning application during the course of the month but the following applications had been determined.
47A Lindsay Road (Erection of a Class C2 care home for the elderly with associated car parking) – Application granted on 21/07/11. 63 Haven Road (Outline application to erect four detached houses with parking/garaging provisions and formation of vehicular accesses (existing dwelling to be demolished) – application allowed by Planning Inspector on appeal on 19/07/11.
24 Ravine Road (Overhang on right hand side of garage is 800mm but should be 200mm) – retrospective application (APP/11/00330) lodged on 24/03/11. The house has not been built in accordance with the plans and the conditions have not been fulfilled. There is a new planting plan dated 13/07/11. The letter concludes with ‘We believe that the site will now be abundantly planted and full canopy closure should be achieved within two to three years’.
Other current planning issues
5 Excelsior Road (Demolish existing buildings and erect 1 No 4 bed house with integral garage) – Application was registered on 11/05/11 and has been ‘Red-carded’. Amended plans lodged on 04/08/11. 8 Shore Road – BPCCRA will continue to monitor possible tree work application. An entrance has been created on the Haven Road side of this property. This property is up for sale at ‘offers’ in excess of £2m.
60A Kings Avenue (Tree Replacement Notices to replant 3 Scots Pines) – Confirmation awaited that the Council’s Arboriculturist visited both 60 and 60a to check tree issues and that letters sent to the owners requesting planting under Treework/Planning conditions.
4.    REPORT RE CANFORD CLIFFS AND PENN HILL AREA COMMITTEE (27/07/11) – In the absence of Terry Stewart, JS reported that there had been a lengthy discussion on Traffic Regulation Order objections. May Haines gave a verbal report on Pinecliff Sunken Gardens and Canford Cliffs Pocket Park. The report on the Localism Bill had to be deferred as Cllr Mrs Judy Butt was unwell.
5.    ACCOUNTS TO DATE – JS reported on behalf of Paul Fearnley, Hon Treasurer, that Santander have, once again, been unable to provide downloads of their bank statements. PF was told me that this has been a problem since April following the integration of Alliance & Leicester and Santander. There is an incompatibility between the two systems and so far this has not been resolved.
As PF does not have a paper statement to hand he has been unable to finalise the cash flow for this month.

6.    ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Clubhouse and Tennis Courts at the Wilderton Road – JS reported that the Council intends to market a lease for the operation of the Branksome Park Tennis Courts and associated Pavilion premises as is. The successful tenderer will have to be a tennis operator who may be granted a lease for a period longer than seven years, dependent upon the successful proposal to operate the sporting facility.
The facility will still be used for the local provision of tennis and the Council will work closely with the chosen provider to ensure the community is well catered for in their programme.
The adjacent Bowls Club is unaffected. Extract from note from Head of Leisure Services to Cllr Sorton
The tennis facilities at Leicester Road have been operated under license from the Council by a private company for many years. We are required to re-tender periodically and we are hoping to find an operator to run the facility for public recreation and invest in its maintenance and improvement and pay us as well.
To get all of that we will need to offer a long lease and technically that is a ‘disposal of open space’ although the Council will retain ownership.

BPCCRA Autumn Magazine – JS asked for material for the magazine by the middle of next month.

Poole’s Sustainability and Energy policies (PCS31, 32 and 35) – JG, who is building his own house, listed the costs of ensuring ‘Level 3’ is met, and doesn’t think the Local Authority is fully aware of this.    For instance, the cost of getting the necessary certificates for a single house can be between £2,000 and £8,000.. JS said if JG send him details of his concerns, he would arrange frod this mater to be raised at the next CWG meeting.

Proposed article for Poole News – MH said that she has had an enquiry from the Editor of Poole News as to whether there would be any interest in putting an article in Poole News about what the Association is doing at the ‘Sunken Garden’ This was agreed and MH said that she would follow this up.

Sewers – Roy Pointer wondered if members were aware of the change in responsibility of the maintenance of sewers by local water companies. RP suggested that the Association should ask for a representative from Wessex Water to come and explain the ins and outs of what was going to happen. It was agreed that this was a good idea.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.20 pm

Date of next Meeting: Wednesday 14th September 2011 in the Main Hall at Branksome St Aldhelm’s Parish Centre (Entrance via Lindsay Road)

BPCCRA Minutes February 9th 2011

MINUTES OF THE BRANKSOME, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE MEETING

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 9th    FEBRUARY 2011 AT 7.30PM

IN THE MAIN HALL, BRANKSOME ST. ALDHELM’S PARISH CENTRE

PRESENT:

  • John Sprackling Chairman
  • Wayne Hancock Vice-Chairman
  • Keith Alcroft Planning Officer
  • Stan Alfert Data Protection Officer
  • Bob Young Magazine Advertising
  • Carol Parkin Secretary
  • Cllr Mrs Carole Deas Ward Councillor
  • Cllr Neil Sorton ditto
  • Ken Sanson Chairman, Sandbanks Assn
  • Approx 20 Members/Wardens

1. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTES

JS welcomed Cllrs Mrs Deas & Mr Sorton, Mr. Ken Sanson and those present.
Apologies: Apologies received from Cllr Mrs May Haines, Mr. Terry Stewart & Mrs Daphne Howell
Accuracy: JS said that he would sign the Minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting held on 12 JANUARY 2011.

2. MATTERS ARISING

Poole Pottery/Old Orchard/Quay Thistle Hotel sites update: JS reported…

1.    Quayside (former Dolphin Quays) development – No new developments

2.    Poole Pottery factory buildings in Sopers Lane – The Planning Inquiry to decide on the appeal by Metnor (Sopers Lane Ltd) into the refusal of the Borough of Poole to allow an 80-bed care home to be built on this site will take place on 05/04/11 at the Civic Centre at 10am and is expected to last for three days.

3.    Former Poole Pottery & Swan Inn site – No new developments

4.    Quay Thistle Hotel site – ditto

5.    Old Orchard House. 39-61 High Street – ditto

6.    Land at West Quay Road (Mixed use regeneration and new public quayside to include; the demolition of a listed gate post and all existing buildings on site; the redevelopment of the site with 440 residential units provided in six apartment blocks with basement parking and courtyard) – No new developments

Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements – update:

JS reported…

1 Cliff Drive (Addition of four additional windows where there was one large one before) retrospective application refused on 14/01/11.

2 Compton Avenue & 93 Lilliput Road (Boundary treatment) –An Enforcement Order is to be issued shortly.

Other current planning enforcement issues

17 Over Links Drive (Application to demolish existing and erect 2 detached houses granted on 31/01/08 but number of conditions should have been complied with before this development commenced) – No new developments.

19 Mornish Road (Tree replacement) – ditto

55 Canford Cliffs Road (Removal of the gates, railings, fence and hedge, and the erection of a low stone wall with planting behind) – ditto

24 Ravine Road (Overhang on right hand side of garage is 800mm but should be 200mm) – Retrospective application refused on 26/10/10. A revised application, for the whole development as it is being constructed with the over-hang, but requiring a detailed arboricultural impact assessment on the trees be included was requested on 29/12/10.

Land adj to 20A Chaddesley Glen (Land be reinstated) –

Community Working Group (CWG): JS reported that he had attended the CWG meeting on 26/01/11 and the Agenda included…

•    Membership of the group – This is to be decided at the Annual Meeting on Wed 9th March 2011, Conference Room, Civic Centre 6pm. WH will attend this meeting.

•    Prosecutions – There may be more news to report shortly •    Public Art – A report is to be presented at the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 29/03/11. JS said that, if anyone was interested, he can providea copy of the draft report.

•    External decoration/design to properties in Conservation Areas – This related to shops in the High Street and an Article 4 Directive is being considered JS will circulate the Minutes when these are available.

Poole Beaches and Coastal Defences: This item is to be deleted from the Agenda until there is something new to report.

Council Tax 2010/11 & Council’s Budget Monitoring report: WM reported on the Council Budget Monitoring (1 April 2010 – 31 December 2010)
The Council are in the process of identifying savings and a lot of information has recently been released. Based on its projections at the end of December, the Council expect an underspend as at 31st March 2011 of £523,000. However, there are several claims which may impact on this. There will be pressure from potential additional costs for Adult Social Care and there are extraordinary costs in the planned reorganisation of the Council which will include a large amount for redundancy. There will also be possible additional costs of £410,000 per annum for the Pension Scheme. There are still substantial savings which need to be made as there is a budgeted deficit for 2012/13 and 2013/14 and possibly thereafter. The bottom line is that, although there will be no increase in Council Tax for the forthcoming year, 2011/12, there may be increase for 2012/13
RP asked if there were any analysis carried out as to the age of people made redundant as this has a bearing on the costs. Neither JS nor NS know the answer to this.
WM pointed out that there are other major pressures which will impact on a balanced budget in future years.

Poole Partnership: – JS said that he would be attending the State of the Area Debate (an annual meeting of the Council jointly organised with Poole Partnership) on 07/03/11 to “continue to build on the discussions”, following ‘A Partnership Response to the cuts in Poole’ meeting on the 24/11/10.

Public Rights of Way:

Westminster Road end of Dalkeith Road – No new developments.

Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – ditto

Bessborough Road – ditto

Footpath 82 Spur –Sandbanks Boatyard & Marina Co. Ltd. did not appeal against the Definitive Modification Order to add Footpath 82 Spur. Further developments are awaited

Possible Charitable Status for Assn: JS has still to set up a small Sub-Committee to look at this.

Canford Cliffs Play Area/Pinecliff Gardens (Sunken garden): JS reported that WH had written to Legal & Democratic Services confirming the Assn’s agreement to the heads of terms.

The Assn’s proposal is to maintain the eastern and western rockeries, together with the eastern and western sunken gardens.
Once the agreement has been formalised, work will commence on the eastern rockery, which will be cleared and replanted with alpine and rockery plants, then progress to the western rockery, following completion of which a plan will be designed for the sunken gardens.

CD reported that the Council are hoping to formalise the agreement by the end of February and that the project is gathering momentum.

Public Liability Insurance (PLI) – JS is pursuing.

Poole Council’s Efficiency Review Programme: The Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2011/12 to 2013/14 presented at last night’s Cabinet meeting referred to “delivering targeted savings totalling £5.385m in new savings and efficiencies in support of the MTFP” with £560k of one-off funding set aside to support the Programme and no proposals to increase this further during 2011/12.
JS said that he will include the calculation of the £5.385m in the Minutes but there appears to be no Action Plan with timelines to achieve these savings. He has written to Cllr Mrs Haines about this in her capacity as Chairman of the Council Efficiency & Effectiveness Overview & Scrutiny Committee

Efficiency Review Project

Agreed savings target
£’000
ICT Print Strategy
240
Facilities Management
290
Procurement
2000
Admin Accommodation
250
Revenues & Benefits
255
Customer Transport
200
Staff Training & Development
250
Employee costs
1000
Income Generation
600
Street Scene
300
Total
5385
• • •

Localism and Decentralisation Bill:

JS said that a plain English guide describing the main measures of the Localism Bill under the following four headings has been published.

new freedoms and flexibilities for local government new rights and powers for communities and individuals reform to make the planning system more democratic and more effective reform to ensure that decisions about housing are taken locally
This runs to 21 pages and is available via the Dept. for Communities & Local Government website

<http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/localismplainenglishguide>

3.    NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

JS reported that Keith Alcroft had, once again, not been contacted about any planning application during the course of the month.
JS had been contacted today about 63 Haven Road (Outline application to erect four detached houses with parking/garaging provisions and formation of vehicular accesses (existing dwelling to be demolished)- subject to ‘Written representations’ appeal (APP/Q1255/A/11/2145209). Interested party comments required by 14/03/11. The Canford Cliffs Land Society do not want to see the houses as they would have an access onto Bessborough Road which we see to be undesirable. The flats we can live with as there are flats all the way down Haven Road now, but at least the garden space at the rear would be retained.
3 Maxwell Road (Demolish existing building and erect 1 pair of semi-detached 4 bed houses) – Officer’s recommendation to refuse over-turned by Planning Committee at their meeting on 20/01/11.

Martin Heath informed the meeting that he had been tracking this planning application and was surprised at the Planning Committee’s decision to grant. He described the sequence of events and some of the issues of the case.    These included the Red Carding procedure where a resident who is aware that the Planning Officer is likely to recommend a refusal, asks a Councillor for the application to go to the Planning Committee, the length of the consultation period and whether the Committee were swayed by the Agent’s exaggerated claim of neighbour support.    He also noted that no reason for the decision, which was contrary to the Case Officer’s recommendation, is recorded in the meeting minutes.
After MH’s report, there was some discussion on ‘red carding’ and the Ward Councillors present gave their opinions.
It was suggested that these issues be raised at the next meeting of the Community Working Group.

Other current planning issues

Land at 8 Buccleuch Road (Creation of 1 No. new dwelling with 2 No. off road parking spaces) Cllr Sorton has red-carded this application, if the planning officer is not minded to refuse this.

7 Ventry Close (Erection of 1no. dwelling and rationalisation of garage accommodation to no 7 Ventry Close) – Application registered on 15/10/10. Revised site location plan lodged on 03/12/10. Cllr Sorton has red-carded this application, if the planning officer is not minded to refuse this.

8 Shore Road – BPCCRA will continue to monitor possible tree work application.    An entrance has been created on the Haven Road side of this property. This property is up for sale at ‘offers’ in excess of £2m.

60A Kings Avenue (Tree Replacement Notices to replant 3 Scots Pines) – Confirmation awaited that the Council’s Arboriculturist visited both 60 and 60a to check tree issues and that letters sent to the owners requesting planting under Treework/Planning conditions.

4.    REPORT RE CANFORD CLIFFS & PENN HILL AREA COMMITTEE MEETING (26/01/11)

The meeting included a presentation about the Canford Cliffs Play Area and a lively discussion on the proposals to install parking meters on the Sandbanks Peninsula. MH reports that the Sandbanks parking meter proposal will not be progressed at the present time.
William Mutlow added that there had been a debate about the effectiveness of the Area Committee. WM said that the change in the composition of the Area Committees in 2003 had not proved to be a good idea as decisions about matters in Parkstone Ward were now decided by Members for Newtown Ward, whereas these were more likely to affect residents in Canford Cliffs & Penn Hill Wards. He cited the recent discussion about the Sandbanks Road railway bridge.
Chairman’s Note: The Forward Plan for the Council Efficiency And Effectiveness Overview And Scrutiny Committee says “Review of Area Committees – to be programmed into the Forward Plan for Spring 2011 as this will be a resource intensive exercise”.

5.    REPORT RE MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION    ACTION AND COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, FOLLOWED BY INFORMAL MEETING WITH   RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES (28/01/11)

JS said that Terry Stewart had written a comprehensive report on this meeting and he would include this in the Minutes – see below
NS was expressed disappointment that no representatives from Commerce & Industry attended the meeting and JS said that TS had also commented on the very poor attendance – out of the 40 some Residents’ and Community Associations in Poole, there were only 12 residents in attendance.
Note provided by TS of presentations by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Ms Elaine Atkinson & the Chief Financial Officer, Liz Wilkinson. Mrs Wilkinson’s additions to TS notes are shown in italics
1. Financial Cuts
•    Required cuts to Council Budgets because of Government cuts ; 2011-2: £15m.2012-3: £8m. 2013-4: £10m. These were the figures as quoted on the slide included in the presentation. I noted in my presentation however, that on-going work on the Budget since the presentation had originally been prepared, meant that the forecast resourcing gap up to 2013/14 had been reduced to £13m overall – of which £4.5 in now forecast in 2012/13 and £8.5m in 2013/14 as the 2011/12 now balances to nil – these are the figures reported in the Budget report to Cabinet next week.
•    If cuts were to come solely from job reduction this would mean 370 post reductions.
•    But with good planning there will be about 50 compulsory redundancies and about 40 voluntary ones. The latest advice from the Head of HR as of Tuesday this week is that a total of 162 FTE posts are expected to be made redundant from the Council’s staffing establishment. These will be achieved through the deletion of vacant posts, not replacing staff due to retire, voluntary and compulsory redundancies. The maximum number of people expected to be made redundant on a compulsory basis is 50.
•    There is a cut of 55% in the capital budget. Not quite – I made reference to the size of the cuts made to certain capital grants in the settlement – I think I made reference as an example to the 55% cut made in capital grants to schools as reported to Children’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee in the last few days by the responsible officers. The distinction is important because whilst capital grants are an important funding stream that the Council relies on to support its capital programme, they do not constitute the whole of the capital programme (as it is also funded from other sources too i.e. revenue contributions, capital receipts etc.
•    This will mean a reorganisation of Council Departments. Only 7% cut in grants to voluntary bodies. Average of 7% in respect of the Communities portfolio area.
•    No introduction of fortnightly bin collections.
•    No closure of libraries, but some opening hours reduced and some staff reductions.
•    Continual downsizing of Council Departments, reduction of posts.
•    Bournemouth is outsourcing most of their admin costs, but Poole is not convinced.
•    Considering joint operation for services with Bournemouth, implemented Adult Teaching.

•    Council Gross Revenue Budget = £330 million, but if school expenditure is excluded 2011-2 Budget is £98 million. Not quite right. I said the Gross revenues Budget in 2010/11 was approx. £330m (including schools). The Net Budget Requirement for the Council in 2010/11 was £98m. The Net Budget requirement is the composite amount of general formula grant and monies to be levied from local Council Tax to achieve a balanced budget (having first deducted specific grants funded nationally – which includes things like direct schools grant and housing benefits payments). The Gross Budget figure is more relevant therefore in discussing the relative size/activity of a Council. The Net Budget requirement figure however is needed to calculate the rate of local Council Tax (i.e. service costs not otherwise funded by specific grant, local fees    and income or by general formula grant).
•    Council rents will increase 6.34%, but this is set by Government.

•    Wage increase on April 1: 0%. This is the assumption made in the Budget proposed for Cabinet consideration next week.
•    Reserves will be reduced to £5.9 million at April 1, 2011. Final figure proposed is £5.96m for 11/12
•    Beach hut and parking charges increased substantially, additional parking meters installed such as all Sandbanks Roads.
•    2011-2 Council contribution for staff pensions will be 17.5%. 17.6% Increased to 18% 18.1% in 2012-3.
•    Poole pensions are part of the Dorset County Pension Fund which is 80% funded (unlike central Government civil servants which are unfunded,i.e. current central pensions are paid for from current pension contributions. With longer living there is a MASSIVE pension liability.)
•    The average pension that a Poole employee receives is only £4,000 per year. I said that Lord Hutton’s initial conclusions were that public sector pensions were not ‘gold plated’ and that the average public sector pension was according to his report, £4k. I did comment that clearly the pensions of some individuals who earn considerably more than the average employee would be in receipt of larger pensions as Lord Hutton’s figures are based on national averages.
2. Problems
The main cause of future financial pressures :
(a) Major future demographic increase in age 65+ and 85+.
(b) Increased birth rate by Poole residents, needing additional school places.
Apparently Poole currently has a low inward migration rate.
But with the planned 10,000 additional households in Poole this will mean population increases.
(c) Poole has a Government grant £155 per head less than Bournemouth. £164 less than the average for all unitary authorities and £151 less than Bournemouth.
(d) Most Councils have 50% of their revenue from Government grants, for Poole it is only 33%, so Council taxpayers have to make higher contribution. Final figures now determined for central: local funding shows that
•    Unitary average 48:52
•    Poole 30:70

3. Future Action

  • Draft Budget to Cabinet: Feb. 8.
  • Council approves final Budget: March 1.
  • Government wants zero tax increase, so like to give a 2.5% extra grant if this is implemented.
  • Police & Fire Service have yet to agree their precepts, Government pressure for zero increase.
  • Department Heads have to propose 2012-3 spend by June. Next budget round for 2012/13 will start in earnest across Service Units from June onwards with SUHs being required to begin working up proposals for 2012/13 budget purposes and next year’s re-fresh of the MTFP.

6. REPORT RE WORKSHOP EVENT RE TRANSPARENCY WEBSITE (28/01/11)

WH reported on the Workshop which had been held to show us how to use the transparency page on the BoP website. This is about 4 weeks behind the current date and amongst other things shows the Council expenditure over £500 – each month a new monthly section will be shown.
This data is also available on a page showing the date over a 12 month period. This is useful as it allows the user to compare the BoP data with any one of the 70 or so other local authorities using this system.

7.    ACCOUNTS TO DATE – JS reported that the total funds as at 31st January amounted to £33,203.72

8.    ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Hedge at Kenilworth Court – MH reports that work was due to commence yesterday, though she has not had a chance to go by to inspect as yet. The Highway’s enforcement officer is keeping a close eye on this issue.

Vera Solomon – Geoff Solomon, a former Vice-Chairman (1996-1999) and Chairman (1999) of the Assn, telephoned this morning to say that his wife, Vera, had recently passed away and it was likely that he would be moving away from the area. A new Road Warden will be needed for Potters Way.

Data Protection Officer – JS reported that Stan Alfert will be stepping down as Data Protection Officer at the next AGM. JS said that he was, naturally, sorry about this but did understand his reasons, particularly as he had been looking after the Membership database for the last 15/20 years.
SA has kindly offered to print off 2 copies of the Wardens lists as at 31 Dec for Michael Bond within the next couple of months and also the Wardens’ labels, as this will give us a ‘breathing space’ to consider the way forward.

Date of next Meeting: Wednesday 9th March 2011 in the Main Hall at Branksome St Aldhelm’s    All Parish Centre (Entrance via Lindsay Road)

BPCCRA Minutes December 8th 2010

MINUTES OF THE BRANKSOME, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE MEETING

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 8th    DECEMBER 2010 AT 7.30PM

IN THE LOUNGE, BRANKSOME ST. ALDHELM”S PARISH CENTRE

PRESENT:

  • Terry Stewart President
  • John Sprackling Chairman
  • Wayne Hancock Vice-Chairman
  • Keith Alcroft Planning Officer
  • John Gunton Magazine Editor
  • Bob Young Magazine Advertising
  • Carol Parkin Secretary
  • Cllr Mrs May Haines Ward Councillor
  • Cllr Neil Sorton ditto
  • Ken Sanson, Chairman, Sandbanks Assn
  • Approx 15 Members/Wardens

1. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTES

JS welcomed Cllrs Mrs Haines & Sorton and all those present.

Apologies: Apologies received from Stan Alfert, Geoff Solomon & Chris Stracey
Accuracy: JS said that he would sign the Minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting held on 10 NOVEMBER 2010.

2. MATTERS ARISING

Poole Pottery/Old Orchard/Quay Thistle Hotel sites update: JS reported…
1.    Quayside (former Dolphin Quays) development – No new developments

2.    Poole Pottery factory buildings in Sopers Lane – Planning application for an 80 bed care home with associated facilities refused by Planning Committee on 11/11/10. Chairman”s note: I have been notified that an appeal against this decision has been lodged by the applicant.

3.    Former Poole Pottery & Swan Inn site – No new developments

4.    Quay Thistle Hotel site – ditto

5.    Old Orchard House. 39-61 High Street – ditto

6.   Land at West Quay Road (Mixed use regeneration and new public quayside to include; the demolition of a listed gate post and all existing buildings on site; the redevelopment of the site with 440 residential units provided in six apartment blocks with basement parking and courtyard) – TS reported that there was a public exhibition of the proposed design of the new development and there was an overwhelming vote against this design by the 155 or so people who had viewed the exhibition. In consequence, the Planning Department has asked the developer to think again and they have appointed a new architect. They have said that new design will be available at the end of January, 2011, which will go forward to the Planning Committee in February.
There are now four conservation bodies campaigning as they are very concerned over the development of some of these sites – including the proposals by the Poole Harbour Commissioners to build a very large marina off Hamworthy Park, which is very unpopular
TS also reported that two big developments in West Quay Road have both refused to make any contribution towards affordable housing as they are not making enough profit.
WM felt that it is far too easy for the developers to show that they are making losses and therefore cannot afford to make contributions towards affordable housing.

Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements – update: JS reported…

1 Cliff Drive Complaint received regarding extra windows being installed at this property. Following discussions with contractors Celebration Developments and Greenwood Associates, an application to regularise the development is being submitted.

17 Over Links Drive (Application to demolish existing and erect 2 detached houses granted on 31/01/08 but number of conditions should have been complied with before this development commenced) – No new developments.

19 Mornish Road (Tree replacement) – ditto

55 Canford Cliffs Road (Removal of the gates, railings, fence and hedge, and the erection of a low stone wall with planting behind) – ditto

15A Westminster Road (Erection of railings over 1 metre high partly along the frontage of 15a Westminster Road, being adjacent to a highway. The boundary treatment then changes to a double close boarded fence over 1 metre high which continues along the frontage of Westminster Road, being adjacent to a highway and then turns South-West and continues down the boundary with Dalkeith Road being also adjacent to a highway)– ditto

2 Compton Avenue & 93 Lilliput Road (Boundary treatment) – ditto

24 Ravine Road (Overhang on right hand side of garage is 800mm but should be 200mm) – Retrospective application refused on 26/10/10.

Land adj to 20A Chaddesley Glen (Land be reinstated) – An enforcement notice was due to be served requiring the land be reinstated. The damage to the trees is also under investigation. A revised scheme to erect detached garage, store, brick piers and wall was lodged on 09/11/10.

Community Working Group (CWG): In the absence of Roy Pointer who arrived later in the meeting, JS    JS/WH reported that the next CWG meeting is on 26/01/11. RP has had to tender his apologies for the meeting and JS has offered to take his place. This would have been the last meeting that RP was permitted to attend under the two year rule and Wayne Hancock has kindly agreed to take RPs online casino place at future
meetings.

Poole Beaches and Coastal Defences: JS reported that the majority of the Shoreline Management    RP Policies for the coastline of Poole have remained the same as those of the original document. There have been some minor changes in policies for some sections of the coastline and he would include details in the Minutes – see below
• The Policy for the length of coastline around Holes Bay has been split so the coast adjacent to the urban area can remain “hold the line” and the length of more natural coast adjacent to Upton House is classified as “no active intervention” allowing the existing natural erosion to continue. • The Policy for the length of coastline between Lake Pier and Rockley Point has changed to selected “hold the line” to allow natural erosion of the coast adjacent to Ham Common and protection of the coast adjacent to Rockley Caravan Park.
• The Policy for the eastern side of Lytchett Bay is changed in the medium to long term to “hold the line” to allow for the possible construction of new defences required to manage potential flood risk.

Council Tax 2010/11 & Council”s Budget Monitoring report: William Mutlow reported on the Council Budget Monitoring (1 April 2010 – 31 October 2010) report presented at the previous night”s Cabinet meeting.    The budgeted deficit for 2010/11 has been reduced to £68,000 from the £640,000 deficit last month.
However, significant pressures remain within Adult Social Care and in a number of the Council”s income streams, which are too volatile to predict and could add further pressure to the amounts already assumed within the Budget.
JS reported that the council had been reviewing the boundaries in Poole with a view to reduction in the numbers of Councillors, however, at the previous night”s Cabinet meeting, those attending were told that there will be no reduction in 2011 and it is not likely to be before 2015 that the Boundary Commission will look at the boundaries. NS asked if the Association had any views on this situation. TS replied that we would be loathe to lose any of our three Councillors as we wish to have as good a representation as possible.
There were no further comments on the number of Councillors we have for our Ward.

Poole Partnership: – JS reported that he & TS attended workshop on 24/11/10 at the Civic Centre to    JS consider the implications of the recent Comprehensive Spending Review for delivering public services in Poole and explore the opportunities for working together to deliver services more effectively and efficiently. JS added that he was disappointed with the time it took to make the presentations
TS reported that we had had a financial workshop some six weeks previous to this. Those from the Association who had attended were of the view that this was a PR exercise on behalf of the council,  primarily to get the message across that what will happen in the form of cuts is going to be painful, as no specific information was available.
JS and WH also attended a “Great sharing event” at Great Western Hotel, Bournemouth on 26/11/10 hosted by the Principal of Bournemouth & Poole College to explore the use the College assets to serve the community. The College is attended by some 4,500 students but, for the most part, Bournemouth and Poole residents are unaware of the facilities available to general public.

Public Rights of Way:

Westminster Road end of Dalkeith Road – No new developments.

Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – ditto

Bessborough Road – ditto

Footpath 82 Spur – Sandbanks Boatyard & Marina Co. Ltd had until 25/11/10 to appeal against the Definitive Modification Order to add Footpath 82 Spur but the latest position has yet to be announced.

Possible Charitable Status for Assn: JS has still to set up a small Sub-Committee to look at this.

Canford Cliffs Play Area/Pinecliff Gardens (Sunken garden):    JS reported the Assn had received from Poole Council Asset Management & Property Services Unit a copy of the heads of terms that will become the basis of the Licence for the Sunken Garden for comment and also a plan of the site to mark the areas the Assn will be responsible for maintaining along with the Assn”s proposed timings for the works. It was agreed that JS would circulate this to the members of the Executive.
NS reported later in the meeting that, as Cabinet Member, he had recently signed-off the funding for the Canford Cliffs Play Area. The funding allocated was up to £50,000. Other work would include new bins and benches, signage and fencing. In addition to the above funds, the Land Society is willing to contribute £5,000 towards the scheme, specifically for seating, the reinstatement of views and other ground maintenance works.

Public Liability Insurance (PLI) – JS is pursuing.

Poole Council”s Efficiency Review Programme: JS reported that, at last night”s Cabinet, efficiency savings were reported in the current year 2010/11 of £215,000.
Amount

£000s Contract

116    Printing & Design Contract

34    Mobile Phone Contract

33    Self Insurance

32    Energy Contract

215    T otal

Parking in Shore Road: NS presented the petition to the Transportation Advisory Group meeting on 25/11/10 and it was recommended that a permit for commercial vehicles be introduced at a cost of £350 a year.

3. NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

KA reported…

11 Westminster Road (Demolition of the existing building and construction of three detached houses with associated parking and access. (revised scheme – Appeal dismissed on 17/11/10

7 Lakeside Road (Erect a three storey block of six x two bed flats and one three bed duplex with basement parking. (Revised scheme) (as amended by plans received 29.04.10) – Appeal dismissed on 07/12/10.

Other current planning issues

The Nightjar, 6 Ravine Road (Fit new set of french doors to west elevation, erect new boarded timber fence and install a new extract system on roof at the rear) – Application registered on 04/10/10. Local concerns.
7 Ventry Close (Erection of 1no. dwelling and rationalisation of garage accommodation to no 7 Ventry Close) – Application registered on 15/10/10. Revised site location plan lodged on 03/12/10.
8 Shore Road – BPCCRA will continue to monitor possible tree work application.    An entrance has been created on the Haven Road side of this property. This property is up for sale at is “offers” in excess of £2m.
60A Kings Avenue (Tree Replacement Notices to replant 3 Scots Pines) – Confirmation awaited that the Council”s Arboriculturist visited both 60 and 60a to check tree issues and that letters sent to the owners requesting planting under Treework/Planning conditions.

5.    ACCOUNTS TO DATE – JS reported that the total funds as at 30th November amounted to £30,866.22

6.    ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Twin Sails Bridge: JS reported that the Audit Commission”s Annual Audit Letter was presented at the    JS previous night”s Cabinet meeting. Concern is expressed in the letter over how Poole is going to repay £9.96 million it borrowed from the South West Regional Development Agency”s Regional Infrastructure Fund is part of a total project cost of £37 million. This is due to be repaid from future developer
contributions from the regeneration sites from 2013.
However, Annual Audit Letter says that “the economic conditions and the depressed housing market mean there is some uncertainty about the amount and timing of these contributions. Challenges to the application of the South East Dorset transport contributions policy also means that there is some uncertainty about planning contributions from this source”
Roy Pointer pointed out the two triangular shaped lifting leaves, symbolising the sails of a yacht, will only be visible when these are upright, whereas for the majority of the time these will be down. He wonders if, because of this, the bridge will be prove to be much of a draw to tourists.

Localism and Decentralisation Bill: TS reported that the Government are going to Introduce a Localism and Decentralisation Bill. This will give quite a lot of local power to Residents’ Groups, etc. It is expected that bodies like the Assn will be able to shape where they live in the manner of Parish Plans which have already been introduced in rural Dorset. These are developed by consulting all the local residents of the Parish and drawing up detailed plans of how that particular community wants that Parish to develop. These have been highly successful. TS expects a similar sort of process will be carried out in urban areas such as this. This may give the local Residents’ Associations the power to grant or refuse planning permission.

There being no AOB, the meeting closed at 8.15pm and was concluded with mulled wine and mince pies.

Date of next Meeting: Wednesday 12th January 2011 in the Main Hall at Branksome St Aldhelm”s Parish Centre (Entrance via Lindsay Road)