MINUTES OF BRANKSOME PARK, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2015

AT 7.30PM IN COMMITTEE ROOM, ST. ALDHELM’S PARISH CENTRE

PRESENT: Terry Stewart (TS) President

John Sprackling (JS) Chairman

Carol Parkin (CP) Secretary

John Gunton (JG) Magazine Editor

Cllr Mrs May Haines (MH) Canford Cliffs Ward Councillor

Cllr Tony Woodcock Parkstone Ward Councillor

25 Members/Wardens

1. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTE

JS welcomed those present

Apologies: Apologies received from Wayne Hancock, Mike Parkin, Keith

Alcroft, Roger Allen.& Brian Lockwood

Accuracy: JS said would sign the Minutes as a true and accurate record of the

meeting held on 11 FEBRUARY 2015..

ACTION

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 – ditto
5. Land at West Quay Road – ditto

Terry Stewart reported that Poole Quays Forum had had a meeting with Richard Carr about 27 – 31 West Quay Road (Outline proposal for the demolition of the existing premises and the erection of a part 13, part 5 storey mixed use building comprising of a cafe (A3 use) / commercial unit (B1 use) / restaurant (A3 use) and 64 residential apartments(C3 use) with associated access and underground parking.

Poole Quays Forum still maintains total opposition to these proposals. TS will circulate the details of the objection and would encourage as many people as possible to object. Chairman’s note: The Vision for Poole Group’s letter of objection is circulated with these Minutes.

Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements – update:

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} -.The Council

Planning Enforcement team are progressing this matter, albeit, slowly. 16 Western Avenue (Erection of Single Storey Garden Room) – The appeal is being validated – it is, currently, taking longer for the Planning Inspectorate to validate appeals.

Community Working Group (CWG): Next meeting is the Annual General Meeting on 18 March 2015. The Association is still looking for a volunteer to replace Terry Stewart. All are encouraged to attend the AGM.

TS gave a brief description of the responsibilities of the CWG – they deal with Planning management, policies, theories and new Government legislation.

Council Budget Monitoring report (2014/15) & 2015/16 Budget: JS said that the next Council Budget Monitoring Report (1 April to 31 March 2015) is unlikely to be presented to Cabinet until June 2015.

Public Rights of Way

Westminster Road end of Dalkeith Road – No new developments.
Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – ditto
Bessborough Road – ditto

Pinecliff Gardens (Sunken garden): No new developments. WH

Community Engagement: No new developments JS/TS

Navitus Bay Offshore Wind Farm: Roy Pointer apologised for his absence, due to the need to send in final representations to the Planner Inspectorate today, as the Examination closed at midnight.

RP had sent a note to JS in which he reported that there would now be a three month period for the panel to make a report to the Secretary of State (Ed Davey) and he has a further three months to make a decision. He alone makes the decision. There is still a record level of interest and opposition to the project which is unprecedented in the history of wind farms in UK.

Meanwhile, PCBA has produced some postcards for circulation with Pines and Chines encouraging people to write to the CEO of Electricite de France giving their own views on the devastation the project would cause to the local environment and tourism without saving any carbon dioxide simply because of the need for constant back up from fossil fuels. We hope all members will write in.

Postcards will be included in the next issue of the Association’s ‘Pines and Chines magazine’ which will be distributed in April. These postcards will also be available from UKIP’s local office at 185 Bournemouth Road, Parkstone.

Further information is, as always, available on the saveourdorsetseaside.co.uk web site. A further update will be given next month.

Road Safety concerns: Burton Road, Canford Cliffs Road & Accident at junction of Leicester Road, Bury Road and Wilderton Road – JG reported

that ‘the lorry’ is no longer on Burton Road.

Cllr MH said that there will soon be a Pelican Crossing on Canford Cliffs Road opposite Compton Acres.

JG reported that the Speed Monitoring Group is very active. During their hour on Canford Cliffs Road in January, twelve of the passing cars were recorded exceeding the speed limit. Since then there has been police presence on this road because of the data reported to them by the Speed Monitoring Group.

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

Cllr MH said that as this does not come under any committees that she normally sits on, so was unable to comment on this.

JS said that he had attended last Wednesday’s Poole Beach Hut Association’s

AGM at which the two guest speakers were, Bruce Grant-Braham, the

Chairman of the Poole Tourism Partnership and Anthony Rogers, Recreation

Manager, Borough of Poole. Mr Grant-Braham referred to the Tourism Strategy

For Poole 2006-2015 which needs updating. The Council contributes 60% to

the Partnership expenditure and the balance is paid for by Members.

Mr Rogers said that the new Beach Huts at Flaghead, Branksome Chine & Branksome Dene Chine should be completed by July 2015. The Council is looking into the feasibility of more huts.

One interesting point was that when the Council first started short term lets there were 99 beach huts available – this is now down to 55. It appears that they have finally come to realise that Long Term Let is more profitable for them as they do not have the associated expenditure of Short Term Let.

The installation of CCTV along the promenade should be completed by the end of this month.

Bob Lister on Poole Beach Huts Association reported that they had suggested to the Council that they installed solar powered lighting along the promenade.

JS said that he gets the impression that Sustaining Poole’s Seafront SPD is no longer a priority. Cllr MH says that ‘it is going through the system’.

Bob Lister feels that the installation of ‘overnight pods’ may create a problem, the same as Party Houses.

Cllr. MH has written to the Council expressing BL’s fears and that this will go through the system.

‘Party houses’ – As Steve & Jen Cameron are spending a year in Spain, JS asked Colin Brade if he would be prepared to take over their role – it was agreed to discuss this after the meeting.

Colin Brade who is the Association’s representative at Parkbury, said that a flat had recently sold at the asking price despite the potential buyers wanting a discount because of the ‘party house’ problem,

Chairman’s note: I am told that the lady who bought a flat fought hard for a lower price and eventually got a £2,000 discount.

Cllr MH says that the Council is gearing up for complaints once the season begins at Easter, but that the main operator of these houses is beginning to move into Bournemouth.

Cllr TW says that the Council are going to try to change the law so that there is the capability of re-classifying these houses, so that they are a different type of residence showing that they are available for short term party use. This will take some time, but it is hoped that it will eventually alleviate the problem.

SC

Succession planning: JS said that he now served as Chairman for 12 years and feels that it is time to ‘hang up his boots’ and for the Association to look for ‘new blood’ The earliest magazine he holds is Autumn 1984 (No 21) and it seems the previous longest serving Chairman was the late Ralph Dymond

(1992 to 1997). Terry Stewart has written an article on the subject of recruitment in the Association’s Spring 2015 ‘Pines & Chines’ magazine.

JS

Pine Drive – MH said that she is continuing to ‘chase’ the relevant officers. MH Uniting the Conurbation (Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch) – JS announced that the supporters’ meeting will take place on Monday, 13th April 2015 at 7.30pm at the Wessex Room of Wessex Hotel, West Cliff Road,

Bournemouth BH2 5EU.

JS

Martin Heath expressed concern about the formation of the Dorset Leaders Growth Board (DLGB), which will cover the whole of urban and rural Dorset.

The DLGB has already taken its first steps but, so far, there appears to have been no consultation and Martin wondered just how many Poole and Bournemouth councillors know what’s going on.

Chairman’s Note: A North Dorset District Councillor writes

“The danger is that the Dorset Growth Board will now ‘bounce’ the whole of urban and rural Dorset into accepting an over-arching Combined Authority while preserving our existing creaky institutions.

JS

The question is whether the Growth Board cronies can persuade all nine existing councils to swallow their line by falsely saying “There Is No Alternative.” Regarding the question of DLEP (Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership) and the funding of local development projects, the Cities Growth Commission reported last October: ”“The Local Growth Deals announced in July 2014 were initially intended to enable single pot financing of strategic economic priorities agreed by LEPs and local authorities. By the time they had been through the Whitehall machine, they amounted to little more than central government approval of finance and delivery of specific local projects that happened to align with ministerial priorities. Such centralisation veiled as localism needs to stop.”

The ‘bottom line’ is of course that our rural and urban growth areas have hugely differing needs. And while you see the need for a single unitary authority for rural Dorset, UTC (Uniting the Conurbation) is making an unanswerable case for a single unitary authority for the conurbation!”

Refreshing the Core Strategy and review of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – The Canford Cliffs and Penn Hill Area Committee meeting on 11 February 2015 was very poorly attended.

One of the Agenda items was a presentation on the review of (a) Poole’s Core Strategy and (b) the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

The Core Strategy is currently being refreshed which, principally, involves deciding on how to increase house building to 700 per year – either by increasing housing density, expanding into the Green Belt – or building upwards. The consultation closes on 31 March 2015 and a final draft of the plan will be published for comment (known as the ‘Pre-Submission’) in Autumn 2015.

As JS mentioned at the last meeting, the CIL review is also underway. The Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule proposes a CIL rate per sqm of £1,300 for Sandbanks and £370 for Branksome Park & Lilliput – the current rate is £150.

‘Pines & Chines’ Spring 2015 magazine – The draft magazine is being circulated for proof reading and it is hoped that this will be available for distribution in early April 2015. JS feels that the distribution of the magazines ought to be handled as speedily as possible because of the up-coming AGM. However, asking people to collect the bundles from his house hadn’t worked as well as thought, and that this time he will contact those concerned by e mail.

JG

Withdrawal of various bus services – At a Portfolio Holder Decision meetingheld on 23 February 2015, the following changes affecting the buses in this area were agreed…

Route 50 Mondays to Saturdays (Winter)

*Following detailed negotiations, Go South Coast have said that they will continue to operate this service without the Borough of Poole funding.

Route 50 Sundays (Winter)

*Following detailed negotiations, Go South Coast have said that they will continue to operate this service without the Borough of Poole funding.

Route 20 Mondays to Saturdays and Route 52 Mondays to Saturdays

(Winter)

The consultation highlighted the high level of duplication of these services between Lilliput and Poole with services operating 3 minutes apart. Following detailed negotiations, Go South Coast have said that they will continue to

No further action operate this service without the Borough of Poole funding (£16,200) if the route of the Yellow Buses 20 service is varied to remove as much as possible of the duplication.

The Yellow Buses Route 20 currently operates between Sandecotes Road and Ashley Cross via Compton Avenue, Lilliput Road, Sandbanks Road, Elgin Road, Pottery Road, Sandbanks Road and Britannia Road (Salterns Road on outward journey).

The original proposal put to the Route & Branch group was to cut out the section of route between Compton Avenue and Pottery Road and instead run from Sandecotes Road to Pottery Road via Alton Road and Conifer Avenue.

The group asked that Yellow Buses be contacted to request the following variation to this proposal: from Sandecotes Road then via Alton Road, Broadwater Avenue, Pottery Road, Elgin Road, Sandbanks Road then as current route. This variation would benefit any passengers wishing to access

Lilliput Doctors’ Surgery and provide a new all-year round service to Whitecliff. Yellow Buses have agreed to amend the route variation to include Broadwater Avenue but will not agree to taking the service off Pottery Road. This is due to the additional mileage involved, the relatively few passengers they have identified using route 20 to access Lilliput Surgery and the number of passengers on Pottery Road travelling to/from areas not served by the Wilts & Dorset 52 route.

The benefits of this are the £16,200 saving by not supporting the GSC winter 52 contract and the more direct service (with shorter journey time) for through passengers. The disadvantage of this option is the removal of the bus from Compton Avenue. However, this section of route does not have high bus usage.

Of 953 passenger journeys surveyed on route 20, only 24 (2.5%) involved passengers boarding or alighting on Compton Avenue. These passengers would need to access route 20 at the stop on Sandecotes Road or alternatively access route 52 on Lilliput Road. Passengers currently using route 20 on Lilliput Road, the section of Sandbanks Road between Lilliput and Elgin Road, and on Elgin Road, would no longer have the 20 service but would have route 52. Passengers from these roads wishing to travel to Bournemouth and Castlepoint would need a change of bus (either at the Civic Centre onto frequent services or onto the less frequent 50 at Canford Cliffs). 63 (6.6%) passenger journeys have been identified as being affected by this.

3 NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT –

JS reported that no representations had been lodged by the Association during the past month.

Other current planning issues

142 Canford Cliffs Road (Demolition of existing dwelling, the erection of 3 detached dwellings, the development and creation of additional access, and associated landscaping) – Letter of objection lodged on behalf of Association on 17 December 2014

146 Canford Cliffs Road (Demolish existing chalet bungalow erect a 4-storey, with roof garden and basement parking (6 storeys in total) comprising 10 self contained flats) – Application refused on 30 July 2014 but is now subject to ‘Written representations’ appeal lodged on 27 August 2014. Still awaiting Inspector’s Decision letter.

2 Burton Road (Certificate of Lawfulness of existing use of building as a separate unit of residential accommodation) – Original application withdrawn but new application was registered on 12 January 2015.

16 Western Avenue (Erect Single Storey Garden Room (Partly Retrospective) – Application refused by Planning Committee on 20 January 2015.

KA

16 Nairn Road (Demolition of existing three storey house and replacement with new three storey house) – Letter of objection lodged by the Association on 01

December 2014 but application granted on 15 January 2015.

Norfolk Lodge Hotel, 1 Flaghead Road (Demolition of existing buildings and the construction of 18 apartments with basement car parking, landscaping, access and associated services) – Application registered on 26 September 2014. CCLS is taking professional advice with a view to formulating objections..

Compton Acres, Canford Cliffs Road (Erection of building comprising 20 Apartments with basement parking; re-arrangement for the existing Compton Acres parking area, and demolition of the existing office building set within the current car park) – This site has been acquired by Ortus Homes a subsidiary of

McCarthy & Stone.

5. ACCOUNTS TO DATE – JS reported that the total Association funds as at 28 February 2015 amounted to £34,417.25. The accounts to 31 December 2014 have been signed off by Schofields. JS thanked Schofields and Paul Fearnley.

JS

6 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

‘Hustings’ for May’s General/Local Elections – This event will take place at All Saints Church Hall, Western Road at 7.30pm on Wednesday 29 April 2015 – all prospective MPs have agreed to attend, although the Vicar of All Saints is still waiting to hear from Robert Syms.

JS said that he planned to invite the prospective Canford Cliffs Ward Councillors to our meeting on 08 April 2015. In order to ensure equal allocation of time between the participants, the prospective candidates will be allowed to speak for two minutes in order to outline their hopes/aims and we will not allow follow-up questions, although candidates will have an opportunity to meet members at the end of the meeting.

Date of next Meeting: The next meeting will be on Wednesday 08th April 2015 at Committee Room (formerly Lounge), Rear of Branksome St Aldhelms Parish Centre (Access via Lindsay Road)

The meeting closed at 8.30pm.

MINUTES OF BRANKSOME PARK, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT

RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 20 MAY 2014

AT 7.30PM IN ST. ALDHELM’S CHURCH

PRESENT:

Terry Stewart (TS) President

John Sprackling (JS) Chairman

Wayne Hancock (WH) Vice-Chairman

Carol Parkin (CP) Hon Secretary

John Gunton (JG) Magazine Editor

Approx. 50 Members/Wardens

1. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTES

JS welcomed those present.

Apologies: Apologies received from Cllrs Mrs May Haines & Neil Sorton, Paul

Fearnley, Keith Alcroft, Roger Allen, Ian Cross & Chris Stracey.

Accuracy: JS said would sign the Minutes as a true and accurate record of the

meeting held on 12 MARCH 2014.

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 – ditto

5. Land at West Quay Road – ditto

Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements – update:

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

developments

31 Western Avenue (Overhanging vegetation) – ditto

Community Working Group

(CWG):

The next meeting takes place on 28 May 2014 – deadline for questions was 19 May. Next meeting to be held on 3 September 2014.

Council Budget Monitoring report: (2013/14): WM said that he is concerned that the Council is now producing its Budget Monitoring Report quarterly instead of monthly and so he will report on the Budget Monitoring report (1 January to 31 March 2014) at the Association’s next meeting on 11 June, as this is due to be presented to the Cabinet the previous day. WM expressed concern over this and feels that residents are not being kept informed as to how the budget is performing, now that the report is quarterly. As the last Budget Monitoring Report was in February, quite a time has elapsed before residents receive the next report. The Council’s reserves are at their minimum, there has to be many cuts made and, therefore, many changes.

In reply to a query from the members at the meeting, WM says that he thinks that the Budget Monitoring Report should revert to being monthly. TS said that he supports this view.

Public Rights of Way

Westminster Road end of Dalkeith Road – No new developments.

Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – ditto

Bessborough Road – ditto

Footpath 85 (Adjacent to 2A Shore Road) – ditto

Footpaths 82/128 (at the rear of 48 Panorama Road to the small beach) – the objectors have withdrawn, so the order for Footpath 82 is now unopposed, with the Sealed Orders returned to the Council.

Pinecliff Gardens (Sunken garden): JS reported that the PLI renewal letter, policy and receipt for payment had been received from TCV. WH reported that the RHS will visit the garden in July and offer suggestions as to how best to proceed with the garden.

Poole Council’s Efficiency Review Programme (ERP): An update should be included in the Council Budget Monitoring report (1 January to 31 March 2014)

due to be presented to the next Cabinet on 10 June.

Localism Act/Community Engagement: JS reported that a cross-party Working Group has been established to review the Council’s decision making process. The Council currently operates with a Leader & Cabinet but some Members would prefer a Committee system to give ‘backbench’ Members a greater say in the decision making process. A second round of recruitment interviews for a new Chief Executive concluded on 16 May but failed to select a suitable candidate. It is expected that the Council will now have to employ an expensive Head-hunter. It is felt that Poole’s reputation has been damaged.

Chairman’s note: It was reported in the Daily Echo dated 24 May that “Senior councillors will reconvene in the near future to review the recruitment process and consider available options, including a possible option to postpone the appointment of a new chief executive until after the local elections in Poole in May 2015.”

Navitus Bay Offshore Wind Farm Roy Pointer reported on the problems of getting an audience with Poole Council to speak against Navitus. Bournemouth Council seems to be much more pro-active in respect of the Offshore Windfarm and its residents’ representations, whereas Poole Council ignore approaches. TS added that Navitus have had two meetings with Poole Councillors, one of which was in private, and it seems that the Council is determined not to let Poole residents have a similar public meeting.

RP handed round some postcards and encouraged residents to object to the Offshore Windfarm using the cards as a guide. There is still time to register on the Planning Inspectors’ website if anyone wishes to make any observations, and RP urges as many as possible to do this. Further help is at the PCBA web site www.saveourdorsetseaside.co.uk. Bournemouth Council held a meeting, at which the Poole and Christchurch Bays Association made their case to oppose Navitus Bay, and the developers were able to make their case. 86% of the public who attended the meeting thought that the proposal should not proceed. The PCBA presentation received a standing ovation.

RP read out part of a letter which had been sent to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport from UNESCO. The letter talks about the potential impact of the proposed Windfarm on the Jurassic Coast, which is the only natural world heritage site in England. The sense is that the proposal would drastically affect the setting of the coast and views from it. The appearance would change from a natural setting largely free from man made structures to one where the setting is dominated by man made structures. This is seen as a strong indication that the World Heritage status would be removed were the wind farm to proceed.

Road Safety concerns Lindsay Road/St Aldhelm’s Road & Burton Road: JS reported that the pedestrian operated Traffic Lights near junction of Lindsay Road & St Aldhelms Road were due to be operative that afternoon.

JS also reported that Traffic Management Order to extend the existing ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ restrictions by 5m at the junctions with Burton Road and Balcombe Road has been advertised. Closing date for representations is 05 June. JS assumes that this will be confirmed at next Canford Cliffs and Penn Hill Area Committee meeting on 18 June 2014.

JS then handed over the floor to George Crawford who spoke on behalf of a large number of Burton Road & Balcombe Road residents, who had attended the meeting specifically to air their concerns about several traffic issues relating to these roads and the ‘Party House’ at Burton Manor, 2 Burton Road.

GC pointed out that the problem of camper vans and industrial vehicles up to 3.5 tons has been worsening over the last 18 months or so. This is exacerbated bythe Council selling parking permits for only £50 per annum or so. The vehicles mainly arrive on a Friday afternoon and stay until Monday morning.

The residents of Burton and Balcombe Road have requested that the signs limit the vehicles to ‘cars only’ as in other parts of Poole, but to no avail.

GC has been battling this problem with all avenues open to him through the Council, but has been able to get no satisfactory response. Robert Syms, our Conservative MP, visited recently and was very sympathetic, although it was pointed out that he has little leverage as far as the local council is concerned.

There then followed various horror stories resulting from this problem by those attending the meeting.

Stan Alfert suggested that the question of parking close to the entrance of houses and thus creating a risk when leaving the property as the view of the road is obstructed, should be taken up with Transportation Services.

TS said that the only way to make the Council take any action is to embarrass it..

JS pointed out to TS that GC has done everything possible, except contact the media. GC said that he plans to set up a meeting with the new Chief Executive, once he/she is appointed.

JG wished to thank GC with his help in ‘Speedwatch’ and JS asked if any other members were willing to help, one morning a month and, if so, to contact JG who is the co-ordinator.

Sustaining Poole’s Seafront (Formerly Seafront Beaches Master Plan DPD) & Proposal for On-Street Pay & Display on selected roads adjacent to beach areas: The next meeting of the Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee is fixed for 5 June 2014 and the Agenda is due to include two items of particular interest to the Association, namely…

(a) Sustaining Poole’s Seafront SPD – Working Group

(b) To consider the Branksome Park, Canford Cliffs & Ashington Conservation Area Reviews – and Recommendation for Public Consultation.

JS has asked for an update at the next Canford Cliffs and Penn Hill Area Committee meeting on 18 June 2014.

Chairman’s Note: I am informed that, starting 6th until 30th May, Branksome Chine toilets are being refurbished. The Council has agreed to have portaloos available and also have the Disabled Toilet in use.

The first phase of beach hut construction work due to take place at Flaghead and Branksome Promenade (West) during May and June has been postponed until later in the year. The council did not feel the tenders received offered value for money for Council Tax payers and is, therefore, planning to combine the works with the second phase planned at Branksome Promenade (East) and Sandbanks.

All affected beach hut tenants have been contacted.

Subject to planning, the Council aims to complete all the works during the coming Autumn and Winter.

The Council will, however, be carrying out some initial work at Flaghead over the next couple of weeks to remove any asbestos containing materials and are continuing with plans to construct nine new huts at Canford Cliffs using a different procurement and construction method. The Beach Office can be contacted for further information on 01202 70818.

Gypsy and Travellers’ Sites – TS reported that there have already been three invasions into parks, car parks etc. and the Council’s suggestion that these areas are protected by gates, blocks of stone etc. are having no effect.

Travellers come here early to attend the Dorset Steam Fair, and are quite open in stating that they have come to Poole ‘to have a holiday’.

Stan Alfert reported that Bournemouth handles the situation with travellers there very well and are completely effective in keeping them away.

Chairman’s note: At its meeting on 20 March, the Planning committee refused the applications for the Temporary Stopping Sites at Creekmoor and near B&Q at Fleetsbridge.

Strategic Car Parking review (SCPR) – The proposal for On-Street Pay & Shears

Display on selected roads adjacent to beach areas is now being dealt with by the Sustaining Poole’s Seafront Working Group – see above.

‘Party houses’: JS handed over the floor to Jen & Steve Cameron who are leading the newly formed Party House Action Group.

JC opened her remarks by saying that both she and her husband have found the level of impotence by Poole Council on the matter of ‘Party Houses’ to be unbelievable.

JC says that she would welcome any suggestions as to where they can go now, as they feel they have exhausted every avenue open to them.

The use of the media was being investigated.

JS agreed to contact the agent selling three houses in Burton Road telling them that they must divulge any detriments of these houses to prospective purchasers, as the developers themselves are not obliged to.

Peter Young suggested that a ‘vote of no confidence’ in Poole Council on the subject of Party Houses was passed. This was fully supported by those at the meeting with a few abstentions, as the extent of the ‘vote of no confidence’ was not fully understood.

The meeting gave JS the authority for the Association to make a donation to the Party House Action Group to assist it in obtaining Counsel’s opinion on this matter.

JS will need some indication of how much this will cost.

Chairman’s note: I attended a meeting of the Party House Action Group on 17 May. Robert Syms MP & Cllr Mrs May Haines were present along with approx 20 residents who were impacted by this continuing nuisance

The principle outcomes were…

1. Cllr May Haines met with Planning Services on Monday, with a view to speeding up the Planning Enforcement process. The feeling of the meeting was that there is already ample evidence and the Council’s proposal to produce questionnaire/street survey is unnecessary – the nature of letting is sufficient to establish ‘Change of use’. It seems that there has been a lack of co-ordination between the various Council Departments. Complaints have been lodged with Planning & Regeneration, ECPS (Environmental & Consumer Protection Services) & a Libby Peek of the Anti-social Behaviour Team. Many complaints have not been acknowledged.

2. The previous week, Andy Dearing, Planning Enforcement Team Manager & Casey Derrett had started to conduct interviews/take statements from some residents affected by the Party Houses.

3. Cllr May Haines has sought the advice of the Head of Legal & Democratic Services, Tim Martin, who is supportive but felt more evidence was required before he could recommend the Council to seek Counsel’s opinion.

4. Robert Syms was due to meet Stephen Thorne & Cllr Mike White on Friday (23 May) Chairman’s note: Steve Cameron & I are meeting Robert Syms on Friday (28 May) to “update” us.

3 NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT –

In the absence of KA on holiday, JS reported

146 Canford Cliffs Road (Demolish existing and erect 3 – 5 storey building with rooftop garden; and surface level and basement parking to form 10 self contained flats) – Letter of objection lodged on behalf of Association on 20/05/14. Other current planning issues 17 Avalon (Alterations and extensions to the existing dwelling) – Local concerns.

10 Nairn Road (Demolition of the existing dwelling and the construction of a block of 5 flats) – The site visit for this appeal took place on 20 May 2014. The file is still with the Inspector and it is estimated that the decision should be ready for issue towards the end of June/beginning of July.

4. ACCOUNTS TO DATE – JS reported that the total Association funds as at 30th April 2014 amounted to £37,944.26.

5 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Mohan Iyengar – Mr Iyengar is standing as prospective Conservative Councillor for Canford Cliffs Ward to replace Cllr Neil Sorton who is standing down in May 2015. Mr Iyengar will be attending the Association’s next meeting to introduce himself. A suggestion has been made that the Association fields its own candidate.

There was no other AOB and the meeting closed at 9.00pm.

Date of next Meeting: The next meeting will be on Wednesday 11th June 2014 at Committee Room (formerly Lounge), Rear of Branksome St Aldhelms Parish Centre (Access via Lindsay Road)

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