MINUTES OF THE BRANKSOME, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT
RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 21st JULY 2010 AT 7.30PM IN THE LOUNGE, BRANKSOME ST. ALDHELM”S PARISH CENTRE
PRESENT:
- Terry Stewart President
- John Sprackling Chairman
- Wayne Hancock Vice-Chairman
- Carol Parkin Secretary/Minutes Secretary
- Stan Alfert Data Protection Officer
- Keith Alcroft Planning Officer
- Cllr Mrs May Haines ditto
- Cllr Neil Sorton ditto
- Ken Sanson Chairman, Sandbanks Assn
Approx 10 Members/Wardens
1. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTES
JS welcomed MH & NS and all those present.
Apologies: Apologies Parajumpers Jacka Herr received from Bob & Phyllis Young, William Mutlow
Accuracy: JS said that he would sign the Minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting held on 09 JUNE 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in Sopers Lane (Development of land at York Road to create a 116 bed care home with an associated Day Centre) – Appeal withdrawn on 16/06/10.
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
Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements parajumperjackorse – update:
JS reported…
17 Over Links Drive (Application to demolish existing and erect 2 detached houses granted on 31/01/08) – It has been reported that there has been some activity on this site over the last day or two. An earth moving unit is on site and some ground work undertaken. JS has contacted the Planning Enforcement Officer as there are a number of conditions which should have been complied with before this development commenced.
19 Mornish Road (Tree replacement) – This is still under discussion and actions are underway
138 Canford Cliffs Road NS reported that he had seen a report in the Bournemouth Echo of a successful proceedings brought by the Council against the developers, Poole Property Ltd, about their unauthorised felling of a protected tree at 138 Canford Cliffs Road. The Court fined Poole Property Company £11,000 (the maximum fine for the felling of a single tree is £20,000) Even though NS thinks this is a paltry sum in comparison to the value of the site, he thinks it is substantial enough to send the correct message that Poole Council intend to act in these circumstances.
55 Canford Cliffs Road (Removal of the gates, railings, fence and hedge, and the erection of a low stone wall with planting behind) – A Breach of Condition Notice against Barrington Homes required work to be completed by 29/06/10.
Bella Rosa, 37 Haven Road (Erection of blue oblique glass screens positioned around the timber decking area located at the front of the property) – The smoked glass screens have been removed..
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)– No new developments
2 Compton Avenue & 93 Lilliput Road (Boundary treatment) – A new hedgerow will be planted once the work at 4-6 Compton Avenue has been completed.
Community Working Group (CWG), Progress re Sir Michael Pitt”s recommendations & IDeA Report: JS reported that the date of the next CWG meeting had been changed to 28/07/10 and if any member had an issue to raise would he/she liaise with Roy Pointer.
Poole Beaches and Coastal Defences: No new developments
Council Tax 2010/11 & Council”s Budget Monitoring report: In the absence of William Mutlow, JS reported that, as part of the £1bn saving announced by the Coalition Government last month, Poole had suffered in-year grant cuts of £2.9m pa. As a result, the Council have introduced a number of austerity measures to make sure it under-spends this year – it will need that leeway because it is unlikely that it will feel the full effect of the permanent cuts with only 6 or 7 months of the year remaining.
At the Southern Poole Chairmens” Liaison Group meeting on 28/06/10, John McBride, Poole”s Chief Executive, told those present that the Leader of the Council, Cllr Brian Leverett, is proposing a meeting with Residents” Associations in September 2010 to discuss next year”s Budget.
TS pointed out that ANY questions can be raised by Residents’ Associations, as long as the question is registered beforehand.
All expenditure over £500 is due be posted on the BoP website but, as JMcB said, this will have to be fine-tuned as individual Adult Social Care costs, for instance, are likely to be covered by the Data Protection Act. J McB also spoke of the idea of “Armchair auditors”- residents with access to the Internet monitoring the Council”s expenditure.. JMcB feels that this will act as a powerful deterrent to wasteful expenditure.
TS said that he is very impressed that JMcB has taken on board the current government’s ‘Big Society’ belief in moving as much power as possible down to local level, thus giving Residents’ Associations the opportunity to make constructive suggestions
Poole Partnership: JS reported that, last Tuesday he had attended a Poole Partnership Local Development Framework meeting in his capacity as Poole Partnership Steering Group representative for Residents” & Tenants” Assns and Community Groups. At this meeting, Nicolas Perrins, Senior Planning Officer, Planning and Regeneration Services gave a presentation by entitled “New direction of travel of Government policy for Planning and implications for Poole”. JS said that he would include the text of the Powerpoint presentation in the Minutes…
Direction of change
Decentralisation and Localism Bill – handing power back to local government and communities (Big Society):
1. Slim downed National Planning Guidance focus on sustainable development (No definition of Sustainable Development);
2. Scrapping of Regional Spacial Strategies (RSS);
3. Planning and Housing decisions to rest locally;
4. Compulsory consultation on development plans and planning applications;
5. Recent revision to PPS3 (Planning Policy Statement 3) – re-classification of garden land as Green field – to stop “garden grabbing” (Core Strategy seeks to do this);
6. New designation to protect green space above that of Public Open Space;
7. Permissive approach to planning applications once National Framework in place;
8. Third Party right of appeal;
9. Abolition of Government Offices and introduction of Local Enterprise Partnership (Economic Development Role) – joint working across sub-regions;
10. However, LDF (Local Development Framework) work is set to continue within new framework
“…The revocation of RSS is not a signal for local Authorities to stop making plans for their area. Local Planning Authorities should continue to develop LDF Core Strategies and other DPDs reflecting peoples aspirations on important issues such as climate change, housing and economic development” (CLG, 6th July 2010)
Issues
- Major legislative reform to planning system to follow – will take time!
- Local authorities to ensure housing, commercial and social needs are met but how will this be managed?
- What will be put in place to ensure proper strategic planning to ensure cross-boundary co-ordination?
- How will regionally significant infrastructure be co-ordinated?
- What of s106/CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) and development mitigation?
- How will authority manage greater public involvement?
Chairman”s note: Wayne Hancock kindly attended the first meeting of the newly formed Poole Partnership Vision Group (which replaces the Poole Partnership Steering Group) in my place and his report is set out below.
Report on the Poole Partnership Vision Group meeting 22 Jul 2010 Civic Centre, Poole
Although Richard Dimbleby had expressed his desire to stand down as chairman, he agreed to chair the meeting and it was hoped that a volunteer would come forward to take his place.
Adrian Dawson was elected Vice Chairman for the meeting and will consider whether to accept the role more permanently.
With the pressure on services due to cuts in government funding, the strategy document 2010 to 2026 will have to be changed and some items removed. Great emphasis was made of working together and sharing resources wherever possible. However, this should not to be at the expense of retaining a ‘Poole’ identity.
This partnership is to run from 2010 to 2026 and it is not yet known what will be the requirements in, say, five years time owing to the recent change in government. At the moment, new policies are appearing quite quickly, i.e. David Cameron’s ‘Big Society,’ where it is envisaged that local authorities and local groups will have their say and even be empowered to run local services which were previously run by the government. It is a turbulent time.
The big three issues are :
1. Deficit reduction
2. Decentralisation
3. Localism – localism – localism
A large number of ‘Target’ driven services are being decentralised and power is being handed down to local communities, i.e. PCTs. The government is removing the barriers and burdens currently standing in the way of local communities carrying out tasks. There is no ‘blueprint’- what works for one area may not work for the one next door. Issues that concern people will not just ‘go away’, but they will now have the means to do something about them. There are NO RULES – what you want you will try to get. It appears to be a ‘power to the people’ move. How will it really work? No-one knows at this stage.
Councils are expecting to supply a smaller number of services and it will be up to the local community to provide those no longer provided, i.e. libraries run by volunteers. Obviously this will have an impact on jobs – are people are saying ‘will I lose my job to a volunteer?’.
Social Enterprise is a new way of arranging to provide a service. For example, a church may set up and run a prison. However, Social Enterprise should not be at the cost of local people losing their jobs to organisations farming out the work to other areas. Concern was expressed at companies like BUPA and Virgin obtaining contracts at the expense of local businesses.
Government policy will drastically change the way things are done and poses the question who is responsible for what? Where will the power go?
Concern was expressed as to whether volunteers could be found to carry out the tasks required and, if so, would they have the knowledge and where-with-all to be able to carry them out satisfactorily? Also,
what happens if the services which are supposed to be provided are not, or are poorly managed?
It was the feeling of the meeting that the role of the vision group (PPVG) would be to set out the ideals; it would then be the responsibility of the management group (PPMG) to make things happen.
It was also felt that the role of the partnership program was to provide a forum for local communities. However, that requires all local community groups to be contacted and made aware of the partnership and how the partnership can assist them with their goals. A question was raised – how does the partnership report back to the local groups, communities and residents?
Finally, three papers were made available :-
1. HM Treasury – The Spending Review – June 2010
2. HM Government – The Coalition: our programme for government
3. Conservatives – Control Shift – Returning power to local people – Responsibility Agenda, Policy Green Paper No 9
Item 2.5 of the HM Treasury document lists 9 criteria for the allocation of resources.
End of Report
Canford Cliffs Village & proposal to plant trees in Haven Road : MH reported that she had attended last Wednesday”s Canford Cliffs & Penn Hill Area committee meeting where it was said that before any decisions, fund-raising etc. it is necessary to determine exactly where services and utilities are, as there is no definitive map of these. In order to do this, an exploratory trench would need to be dug at a cost of approximately £700.
Roy Pointer mentioned that it should be known by law exactly where the utilities are.
MH said that discussions she had had with the traders on Haven Road had come ‘full circle’ as they deem the loss of car parking space is not desirable, and they suggest that trees should be planted in tubs.
KA pointed out that the plan calls for only one parking place to be lost.
SA reported that he had detected opposition to this scheme, at the Area Committee meeting, from people other than the traders on Haven Road.
When asked what kind of trees were intended, KA answered that it wasn’t known yet, that he had been told by Mr. Osborne at the Council that this would be decided when the scheme was definite.
There was some discussion as to whether in the present climate was it correct to be spending money on something not essential. Mike Parkin, a regular user of Haven Road, suggested that in the making of car parking in Haven Road more difficult, there was a negative safety aspect to be considered.
JS suggested that we had a show of hands as to whether to proceed with this scheme or not.
Put the scheme on the “back burner” 5
Proceed with the scheme 4
Therefore JS asked MH to report back to officers that the Association would not be able to fund this scheme.
Public Rights of Way:
Westminster Road end of Dalkeith Road – Officers are meeting with local residents on 26/07/10
Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – No new developments.
Bessborough Road – The Canford Cliffs Land Society have arranged the vegetation beside the footpath from Bessborough Road to Haven Road (next to the Electricity sub-station) to be cut back. MH said that, although the Land Society was organising this, the work is actually being done through the Community Pay Back Scheme and therefore the labour costs are nil.
Footpath 82 Spur – At special meeting of Canford Cliffs and Penn Hill Area Committee held on 19/07/10, Members granted the Definitive Modification Order to add this footpath to the Definitive Map.
Almost certainly, the Sandbanks Boatyard & Marina Co Ltd will appeal
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) MH reported that the Canford Cliffs Play Area is scheduled for 2001/2012. However, TS reported that Cllr Peter Adams had told him that this will not now be progressed. MH will double check to clarify this situation.
CD was not present to report on the current state of the sunken garden. However, JS said that Simon Legg was keen to set up a meeting.
Use of Assn”s Capital Reserve – No new developments.
Public Liability Insurance (PLI) – JS is pursuing.
Poole Council”s Business Transformation Programme – The Council”s Business Transformation Programme and Efficiency Review Programme are to be merged. A fully updated report is to be presented at the Council Efficiency and Effectiveness Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 23/09/10.
Funding for Westbourne Medical Centre and the NHS Dental Practice in Westbourne –
Jim Wilson believes that the withholding of funds from both the medical & dental practices may have possible serious implications on the ability of those two individual practices being able to continuing carrying on over the medium to long term, even in their present state. This, of course, is going to be subject to whatever occurs when the present governments plans for change come to fruition and whether either of those practices have been able to retain the patients that exist.
JS proposed that a meeting with the non-executive members of the board should be put under way.
Chairman”s Note: Subsequent to the um Ihre Identitat und Ihr Recht auf die Gelder meeting, it has been agreed the the Association should take no further action at the present time and await the further communication next month from Anne Swan, Interim Chief Executive of NHS Bournemouth and Poole, as promised in Angela Schofield, Chairman, Bournemouth and Poole Teaching Primary Care Trust letter dated 12/07/10.
Overhanging Hedge at Kenilworth Court, 3 Western Road. MH reported that after considerable discussions with the residents of of the block he Mr. Hertz(?) the representative of the Managing Agent at Kenilworth Court, managed to secure agreement from the majority to have the hedge removed in the next few weeks with replanting to take place 6 months later. One of the residents however, contacted the council and asked if it would be possible instead to keep the hedge in-situ until the replanting takes place. This was deemed to be a reasonable request and this is where MH left it for now – that the replanting MUST be carried out before Christmas.
MH will put it on record that this is the case, so that if it is not done, the council themselves can take action.
3. NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Keith Alcroft reported
Former Cafe building, Compton Acres (Change of use of former cafe building A3 to playschool D1) – Temporary permission granted for two years from 28/06/10.
Chairman”s note: £41,258 capital funding from the “Early Years Quality & Access Capital Grant (2008-2011) is to be allocated to the Wise Owl Pre-school at Compton Acres following termination of the rental agreement for their current premises but applications must show the applicant’s sustainability and commitment to delivering a service for at least three years and this will be reflected in the funding agreement with the Local Authority.
6A Dalkeith Road (Demolish existing property and build new contemporary dwelling) – Application registered on 10/05/10 and letter of objection lodged on behalf of Assn on 25/05/10. Application withdrawn on 05/07/10.
Other current planning issues
Land at 5 Brackenhill (Sever land and erect a three bed detached single storey dwelling, with attached single garage at lower level) – Application registered 01/06/10. Local concerns.
4 Lawrence Drive (Demolish existing buildings and erect 1 block of 8 apartments with assoc parking) – Application refused on 05/03/10 is now the subject of an appeal Hearing (APP/Q1255/A/10/2128771) The final date for statements & representations was 01/07/10
11 Leicester Road (a) Outline application to erect a 59 bedroom care home (class C2) with associated parking (15 spaces), bin & cycle store (revised scheme) (APP/Q1255/A/09/2118175) & (b) Conservation Area application to demolish existing dwelling & associated buildings (revised scheme) (APP/Q1255/E/09/2118176) – Appeals dismissed by Planning Inspector on 17/06/10.
The Cottage, Kingsgate, 7 The Avenue
(a) Demolish existing and erect a block of 5 apartments and associated garages) – Application was refused by Planning Committee on 25/03/10 but subject to “Written representations” appeal (APP/Q1255/A/10/2126736) Final date for statements & representations was 02/06/10.
(b) Erect a detached house on land adjacent to The Cottage and erect detached garage to The Cottage.
– Application registered on 01/06/10.
5 Highmoor Road (Demolish existing building and erect 1 block of 9 apartments with basement parking, bin & cycle stores) – Application granted, subject to Unilateral Undertaking at Planning Committee meeting on 08/07/10.
2 Tower Road (Demolish existing dwelling and erect 3no. detached houses with integral garages) – Application refused on 05/05/10.
11 Westminster Road (Demolition of the existing building and construction of three detached houses with associated parking and access. (revised scheme – Application refused on 17/05/10 is now the subject of a appeal Hearing (APP/Q1255/A/10/2129589) statements & representations is 20/07/10
24 Ravine Road (Demolish existing dwelling and erect replacement dwelling with integral garaging. (Revised scheme) Amended plans received 08/12/09 and 25/01/10) – Application refused under delegated authority on 29/01/10 is now the subject of appeal (APP/Q1255/A/10/2122302) to be determined by Written Representations. The date for final comments was 06/05/10.
2 Crawshaw Road (Demolish existing dwelling and erect x 2 detached dwellings with on site parking. (Revised Scheme) – Application registered 25/05/10. Amended plans lodged on 14/07/10.
Land adj 1 Over Links Drive (Sever land and erect a new detached house (Revised Scheme) – Application refused by Planning Committee on 10/12/09 is subject of a “Written Representations” appeal (APP/Q1255/A/10/2120940) The date for final comments was 31/03/10.
6 Durrant Road
(a) Demolish existing dwelling and erect x2 detached dwellings. (Revised Scheme) As amended by plans received 01/10/09) – Application refused under delegated authority on 11/12/09, now the subject of Written Representations appeals (APP/Q1255/A/10/2121180). The date for final comments was 31/03/10.
(b) Demolish existing dwelling and erect 2 No semi-detached dwellings with attached garages (Revised Scheme)– Application refused by Planning Committee on 08/07/10.
Canford Cliffs, Promenade 2 (a) Construction of 18 new beach huts – Application No: 08/24380/005/F & (b) Conservation Area application to demolish 8 beach huts (nos 99-106) adjacent to Canford Cliffs Chine. Application No: 08/24380/007/U The applications were registered as long ago as 22/01/08 &13/02/08 respectively. MH will keep the Assn advised of any further developments.
4-6 Compton Avenue (Non material amendment of planning permission 06/12687/005/F to extend
basement parking, an additional staircase, two roof lights, convert half gable window to full height) – Amended plans lodged on 13/05/10..
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.
4. REPORT RE SOUTHERN POOLE CHAIRMENS” LIAISON GROUP MEETING (28/06/10
Chairman”s Note: I omitted to cover this item in my efforts to conclude the business of the meeting quickly. The Guest Speaker was Poole”s Chief Executive, John McBride, and much of what JMcB had to say and other topics discussed have been reported elsewhere in the Minutes.
5. REPORT RE CANFORD CLIFFS & PENN HILL AREA COMMITTEE MEETING (14/07/10)
Chairman”s Note: Again, I omitted to cover this item in my efforts to conclude the business of the meeting quickly.
The subject of the new cycle lanes in Penn Hill Ave was discussed at length, particularly as there is no room for cycle lanes at Woodside/Kingsbridge Roads end of Penn Hill Ave. Cllr Parker proposed a review of the scheme after it”s been operation for a while.
The mini-roundabout at the junction of Kingsbridge/Highbridge Road was also the subject of some concern, as pantechnicons using this route, which the Council, in its infinite wisdom, has designated as a Prime Transport Corridor between Poole & Bournemouth find it difficult to negotiate this roundabout.
One pantechnicon recently driving over the roundabout has caused the surface to break up.
One Penn Hill Ave resident, present at the meeting, suggested a one-way system using Balmoral Road, Sandecotes Road and Kingsbridge Road.
6. ACCOUNTS TO DATE
JS reported that the total funds as at 30th June amounted to £36,023
7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Alexandra Park Lodge – The Council are planning to demolish this property and replace it with a single storey Childrens” Centre at a cost of £280,000. It is intended to submit an application with the intention of it being considered by Planning Committee on 19th August in order for the works to be completed in sufficient time for service delivery from March 2011.
The Children’s Centre will serve families living in the Parkstone, Penn Hill, and Canford Cliffs area.
There is to be two consultation events, both to be held at Alexandra Bowls Club at 10.00am 29th July and 6pm on 11th August. Flyers and information for local residents and parents will be delivered by the end of this week. There is a feeling that it is not just residents who back onto the park who need to be consulted but other groups that use the park on a daily basis. It is also felt that two short notice meetings at the Bowls Club notified by a flyer to residents at the end of this week does not constitute a proper consultation. It is suggested that this on a par with the letter the Council sent regarding the Playbuilder scheme which, again, was only posted to residents who actually backed onto
Bournemouth and Poole’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme -TS said that there was some confusion over the BSF programme i.e.is Ashdown College still to be funded? MH reported that this case still has to be put forward, and the outcome is still uncertain.
Parkstone, Penn Hill & Canford Cliffs Safer Neighbourhood Team meeting & Canford Cliffs Christmas lights – MH reported two dates for the future.
The Safer Neighbourhood Team will meet on Wednesday July 28th 7.00pm at the Conference Room, Civic Centre, Poole and looking ahead, the Canford Cliffs Christmas lights will be switched on on Haven Road on November 12th.
Parking in Ravine Road – Mike Parkin asked if MH had had her chat with the Mazda Car showroom on Haven Road re their use of the car parking spaces on Ravine Road. MH said that this still has to be done.
24 Ravine Road – Mike Parkin gave an up-to-date report on the planning application, currently, under Appeal for 24 Ravine Road. A site visit by the Inspectorate scheduled for July 28 has now been postponed. The house on this site has now been demolished.
Roland Cunnell said that he had “phoned the Planning Inspectorate to enquire about the site visit by the Inspector to land adjacent to 1 Over Links Drive and had been told that tis had not yet been arranged..
The meeting closed at 8.10pm and was concluded with a “glass” and “nibbles.
Date of next Meeting: Wednesday 11th August 2010 in the Main Hall at Branksome St Aldhelm”s Parish Centre (Entrance via Lindsay Road)
