MINUTES OF THE FIFTYFOURTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE BRANKSOME PARK,
CANFORD CLIFFS AND DISTRICT RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION, HELD AT 10.30am
ON SATURDAY, 26th APRIL 2014 IN CANFORD CLIFFS VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Mr Terry Stewart President
Mr John Sprackling Chairman
Mr Paul Fearnley Hon Treasurer
Mr Keith Alcroft Planning Officer
Mr John Gunton Magazine Editor
Mr Roger Allen Advertising Manager
Mrs Joan Bailey Acting Minutes Secretary
GUESTS: Martyn Underhill, Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner – Guest Speaker
Robert Syms MP
Cllr Mrs May Haines – Canford Cliffs Ward Councillor
Cllr Neil Sorton – ditto
PC Nick Lee
Ken Bearcroft – Parkstone Bay Association
And approx 120 Members/Wardens of the Association
1. WELCOME : The Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and welcomed today’s speaker,
Martin Underhill, Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner, Robert Syms MP, Ken Bearcroft, Chairman,
of the Parkstone Bay Association and PC Nick Lee. He then introduced each member of the
Executive Committee.
2. APOLOGIES : Apologies were received from Wayne Hancock (Vice Chairman). Carol Parkin (Hon
Secretary) Peter Schofield, John Morison, Kevin Goldstein-Jackson & Ken Sanson, Chairman,
Sandbanks Association.
3. AGM 2013 MINUTES : Accuracy & Matters Arising The Chairman said that the Minutes of the
AGM held on 27th April 2013 had been included in the Autumn 2013 magazine. He had not been
contacted about their accuracy and asked for a show of hands to approve the Minutes as no queries
had arisen. This was given and the Minutes were approved.
4. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT : The Chairman said that he proposed to limit his report to the up-dating of
items included in his Chairman’s Report in the Spring magazine as follows:
Community Engagement Working Party (CEWP) – This is an Agenda item for Tuesday’s
Cabinet meeting, when it will be discussing a document ‘Engaging with communities in Poole’.
Sustaining Poole’s Seafront (Including proposal for On-Street Pay & Display on selected roads
adjacent to beach areas) – This was formerly known as the Beach Master Plan. JS said that he gets
the impression that the Council is getting the message that residents do not want to see an overcommercialisation
of our beaches and this subject is due to be included on the Agenda for the next
Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 5 June 2014.
Navitus Bay Offshore Wind Farm – Roy Pointer to provide an update about this under Any Other
Business.
Gypsy & Traveller Encampments – This is an Agenda item for Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting. JS
reported that that day’s Daily Echo included a story that security staff with dogs had turned away a
number of suspected travellers’ vehicles from King’s Park in afternoon of the previous day and that a
‘lock-down’ on public spaces and council car parks has been re-imposed for the weekend after the
Authority received information that local sites might be targeted.
Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) – A public display of the Port of Poole Master Plan is to be
held in the North Lounge Passenger Terminal at the Port of Poole on Monday 28th
April 2014 from
3.00pm to 7.00pm to enable public inspection of the key documents.
Membership Secretary – The Association is still looking for someone to fill this role.
Conclusion – The Chairman expressed his personal thanks to Committee members and Road
Wardens for all their work on the Association’s behalf and to members for their valuable support.
5. TREASURER’S REPORT : Paul Fearnley’s Income and Expenditure Account for the Year Ended 31
December 2013, as displayed on the reverse of the Agenda, shows a deficit for the year of approx
£1,800 as opposed to a surplus the previous year.
The deficit arises from two main items of expenditure, one being the Association’s contribution to
PCBA of £1,250 and the second one due to an effort to increase membership of the Association
which involved distributing the magazine to every resident in the BH13 and BH14 postcode areas.
Membership did increase but not as much as hoped for. PF advised the campaign was not solely to
increase subscriptions but to ensure a stronger force when supporting/fighting local issues. Currently
membership stands at 2,698 members.
PF made a plea to members to pay by Standing Order which makes life a bit easier for him and also
to please check existing Standing Orders where often the amount is out of date and there has been
a change of bank, etc. Mr Fearnley was given a round of applause for all his hard work during the
year.
6. APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR : Peter Schofield had audited the Accounts and has agreed to
continue for a further year. JS asked for approval by the meeting and this was given by a show of
hands.
7. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN :
Terry Stewart thanked John Sprackling for all his hard work as Chairman and, as JS is willing to take
on the responsibility of Chairman of the Association for a further year, JS asked whether there were
any other nominations as Chairman. As there were not, JS was unanimously voted as Chairman for
the coming year.
8. ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE : JS asked for any nominations for the Executive Committee positions
before proceeding with the election of the existing Executive Committee, who had all indicated their
willingness to stand. As there were no nominations, the current Executive Committee were
unanimously elected en bloc. A show of hands carried the motion.
President Terry Stewart
Chairman John Sprackling
Vice Chairman Wayne Hancock
Treasurer Paul Fearnley
Membership Secretary Vacant
Planning Officer Keith Alcroft
Secretary/Minute Secretary Carol Parkin
Magazine Editor John Gunton
Magazine Advertising Roger Allen
JS appealed for a Membership Secretary to come forward as currently the position is being
undertaken by Paul Fearnley in addition to his role as Treasurer. The role is not too onerous but
does require someone with access to a computer.
9. GUEST SPEAKER : JS welcomed Martyn Underhill, Dorset’s Police & Crime Commissioner, who
has been in the post for around 16 months but has already made his mark. MU has re-introduced
the Marine Surveillance team, reduced the cost of the Police helicopter by joining forces with the
neighbouring authority. MU has encouraged Neighbour Watches, set up Victim Forums, Community
Speedwatch Groups and, on Monday, is due to receive a Community Engagement award at the
Police HQ at Winfrith from an organisation set up to scrutinise the performance of Police
Commissioners in England and Wales. The Chief Executive of this organisation says “Mr Underhill’s
work was an excellent example of how PCCs can engage with the public.”
MU advised that he had undertaken a review of the speed cameras policy in Dorset, because
residents view cameras as a “cash cow”, and the results are due soon. He also spoke about his
desire to equip every officer with a Body Worn Video. He explained this will be of help in areas such
as domestic abuse which is a hard area to convict at court without video evidence. In the USA and
Canada, it has also been shown that it reduces complaints against police by 40%, and the cameras
are also useful to protect the Police from being assaulted. On tasers, these are being used more and
more, because more and more officers are being trained. He spoke about his passion for early
intervention, if we could get every 5 year old to start schooling being able to read write and talk
properly…. We could change a generation. There are two pilots underway now in Dorset changing
behaviour for the 0-5’s, in Poole and Weymouth.
Community Safer Neighbourhood Partnerships: MU is liaising with Poole’s CSP and the Local
Authority. Meetings are chaired by Cllr Judy Butt. Some of the funding comes from MU.
Closure of police stations: There has been a 20% cut in budget, necessitating a 20% cut in staff, it follows
that a 20% cut in buildings is needed too.
Community Remedy: MU consults on CR in his local forums. He gave an example where the public
were consulted on suitable punishments for low level crime.
They were presented with 5 options and asked to prioritise, i.e. do you help vulnerable people, such
as help a vulnerable persons garden, help paint the village hall; assist with litter picking on beaches
or , assist with road clearance, etc. MU would have expected the top answer to be “help vulnerable
people” but the majority chose clearing roads and drains. A resident raised the point that the
questions asked at that forum may have occurred during the bad weather when there was severe
flooding and weather could therefore have had an effect on the outcome of such a “survey”.
MU agreed this was a good point and he would take this on board in future.
MU advised that as from 6th October 2014 he will take over the responsibility for issuing a menu of
punishments for low level crime.
From November there will be a victims website set up where you can go for help and assistance.
Mental health: MU is concerned that far too many people are being taken into police custody when
what they really need is medical attention. Last year, 157 mental health patients were taken into
custody, five of whom were 17 years old or under. From April, a triage scheme will operate so that a
mental health worker will be at the scene in addition to a police constable to assess whether medical
treatment is needed rather than police custody. Currently the situation is due to lack of hospital beds
which is an NHS issue.
Emerging Issues: MU outlined the increase in cyber crime, on-line crime, identity theft, phishing,
cyber bullying (where we are not ready for it as there is an increase in the 14-16yr old age group,
mainly among girls and where there needs to be advice for parents and victims on what to do and
where to go to for advice) and lastly sexting, where girls, in particular are persuaded to send
photographs of themselves to “boyfriends” on line and then find the pictures have gone global).
On human trafficking, sexual exploitation and human slavery, MU pointed out this is on the radar and
as recently reported in the National press there was a recent case of human slavery at a Ringwood
Road business.
On gypsies and travellers, MU calls this a “groundhog day” issue which occurs every year and has
yet to be resolved. He receives hundreds of emails during summer traveller time, when
unauthorised sites keep appearing. At the Planning Committee for Dorset to be held on 9th May
Dorset County Council will consider planning permission for a site for Dorsetshire but not for Poole
and Bournemouth. Local Authorities such as Poole and Bournemouth would like to share that site,
but cannot by law. MU predicts similar problems to last year in Poole. MU and Cllr Judy Butt will be
working together to lobby Government for a change in the law.
On Rave/Party Houses, MU advised that he had received 96 emails from residents on this subject to
date but questions whether it is primarily a Police issue; rather it is more one for the Local Authority.
He accepted it is a growing problem. The change in the law in October will have an impact on this,
and should strengthen the ability to deal with the houses. The SNT and Local Authority are taking
action and are engaged with all parties on this issue as the current law is clearly not good enough.
MU cannot change the law and he was pleased to see Robert Syms here today, who is also lobbying
Govt.
Before handing over to PC Nick Lee who is the Police Constable working on the Rave/Party House
issue, MU advised he was also President of the Parkstone Rotary Club and he would like to promote
a fund raising event to be held at St Luke’s church on 31st May at which the Dorset and Gwent
Police Male Voice Choirs would be singing – all welcome to attend, tickets available from Select
Travel, Canford Cliffs.
PC Nick Lee – Rave/Party Houses: NL advised that this has been raised at MU’s local forums and
with Neighbourhood Watch. There is one Company responsible for the majority of lettings, DeLuxe
Holiday Homes, who also own properties elsewhere in the Borough besides Canford Cliffs. When
there is a problem he advised residents to ring 101 and Environmental Health at the time of any
disturbance giving details of the address where there is a disturbance and this will be logged on the file and officers will attend. He advised the police have been engaged with the Council
ater over the matter and that he is also working with DeLuxe Holiday Homes who are co-operating by displaying posters in their properties asking party goers to respect their neighbours.
Jenny Cameron (resident in Moorfields Road with neighbour a “party house”) explained she and her
husband had been suffering noise and disturbance every week-end for the last three years and
although the Police have been attentive she knows from experience that DeLuxe Homes have not
been bothering to deal with this by way of posters etc. DeLuxe Homes say that these are “family
holiday week-ends” but this is not the case – they are all single sex groups and young, heavy
drinking party goers (Tesco vans delivering alcohol throughout the night and early hours). She feels
the way to deal with this is for the Planning Department to invoke Change of Use from residential to
commercial.
Robert Syms MP agreed this is commercial business and the matter has been raised with the Local
Authority who are looking into Change of Use. London has a total ban on these commercial
activities but he felt this would not sit right with this area in view of many genuine family holiday lets.
He advised that the Local Authority can have authority to close a house for 6 months under the Anti
Social Behaviour Act coming into force on 6th October when the matter can be dealt with between the
Police, the Local Authority and local residents.
Steve Cameron has been investigating all aspects and has come to the conclusion this is definitely a
Planning issue. He took the matter up with the Planning Department in November 2012 regarding
the change of use but the Council did nothing. He feels that the Local Authority and the residents
should have control over this but to date residents have not been involved in any discussions.
Cllr May Haines advised the LA is taking this seriously. Tim Martin, Head of Legal Services for the
LA has agreed the time has come for Planning to review the evidence they have to date. A meeting
has been held in Council along with the ASB team. Mr Thorne, Head of Planning Department, who
was at the meeting, is currently on leave but on his return Mr Martin will work with the Planning
Department to review the evidence.
Stewart Griffiths of Burton Manor, 2 Burton Road advised he was the owner of one of these houses
he had no evidence of any complaints. On the matter of health and safety, he produced
documentation to show he has had a fire risk assessment carried out, commercial insurance
certificate and Fire Regulations.
A resident in Elgin Road advised that over the last 2-3 years parties of youngsters have been arriving
at party houses in the road, causing disturbance between 2, 3 and 4am.
On another issue, Mr Dennis Riley resident, asked PC Lee about marijuana and cannabis farms. PC
Lee agreed this is on their radar and here the Police are reliant on residents to report any suspicious
activity in their area.
JS advised that in view of time constraints he would have to move on to Any Other Business but all
are welcome to come along to the next meeting of the Association to be held on the second
Wednesday in May at 7.30pm in the Committee Room, rear of St Aldhelm’s Parish Centre (access
via Lindsey Road).
Chairman’s note:14 May clashes with the date of the Reconvened Annual Council meeting so it has
been agreed for the next meeting to be rescheduled this to the following Wednesday (21 May), so
that our Ward Councillors can attend. I was also planning to attend the Reconvened Annual
Council Meeting, to report back on the appointment of Cabinet & Committee Members etc.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS :
Navitus Bay Offshore Wind Farm – Roy Pointer gave a short presentation on the Navitus Bay
Offshore Wind Farm. With regard to noise, if the project goes ahead Bournemouth, Poole and
Swanage residents will have to put up with high noise levels during construction over 4-5 years when
piling takes place.
The application for consent has now been deposited by the developer to the Planning Inspectorate
and a decision will be made on whether to accept it for Examination by 8th May 2014.
Part of the noise calculations used a Standard that is used for land based turbines and specifically not
for offshore; this suggests a level above the permitted maximum noise levels at the shore.
In addition to locals experiencing noise pollution there will be a large impact on tourism. The
developer’s survey showed 32% of visitors when questioned said they would not be returning to the
area during the construction period if the project goes ahead. RP showed a slide of the Skegness
wind turbines which illustrated his concerns.
He also advised there is a medical condition called Wind Turbine Syndrome which has been reported
in N. America and Australasia and which particularly affects people with certain pre-existing
conditions e.g. high blood pressure, migraine etc.
RP advised there is a presentation which is being held at the BIC on 10th May for Bournemouth
residents but so far Poole has not consulted local residents.
He urged everyone to take action to prevent the project going ahead by registering on the Planning
Inspectorate website (www.planningportal.gov.uk/infrastructure) and to support the “Stop Navitus
Bay” movement.
UKIP: JS informed those present that there would be a meeting that afternoon at The Grasshopper in
Parkstone at 3.00pm organised by UKIP.
11. REFRESHMENTS : The Chairman closed the meeting at 11.45am and invited everyone to partake of
the refreshments provided.
John Sprackling
Chairman