Tag Archives: February

BPCCRA Minutes February 9th 2011

Posted on by

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

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 9th    FEBRUARY 2011 AT 7.30PM

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

PRESENT:

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

1. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTES

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

2. MATTERS ARISING

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

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

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

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

4.    Quay Thistle Hotel site – ditto

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

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

Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements – update:

JS reported…

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

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

Other current planning enforcement issues

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

19 Mornish Road (Tree replacement) – ditto

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Public Rights of Way:

Westminster Road end of Dalkeith Road – No new developments.

Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – ditto

Bessborough Road – ditto

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

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

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

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

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

Public Liability Insurance (PLI) – JS is pursuing.

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

Efficiency Review Project

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

Localism and Decentralisation Bill:

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

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

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

3.    NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

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

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

Other current planning issues

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. Future Action

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

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

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

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

8.    ANY OTHER BUSINESS

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

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

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

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

Identity Fraud threat after post stolen from external post boxes

Posted on by

p>Dear Resident

THEFT OF MAIL FROM EXTERNAL MAIL BOXES

Following a number of recent thefts from external mail boxes situated on the garden wails of large houses in the Dorset area, Police are asking residents to be extra careful and to be aware of “id theft”.

Officers from the Economic Crime Unit want to make residents aware that theft from mail boxes, to offenders opening up credit card accounts and taking out loans in your name, which you will r about until you are refused a credit card or you start receiving letters from solicitors or debt coilectors, debts that aren’t yours.

To lower your chances of becoming a victim, please consider taking the following action:

  • Stop using your external mail box. if you can not do this then ensure it is secure i.e. mail cannot be retrieved from the slot with a hand or instrument.
  • Promptly remove mail. If a piece of mail does not arrive or you stop receiving mail, chase up with the sender or contact the post office.
  • If you go on holiday, get a neighbour or fnend to remove the mail and keep it safely for your return
  • Regularly check your personal credit file (this costs as little as £2) from a credit reference agency (Experian, Equifax, CallCredit) to see if it includes any entries you do not recognise follow up any recent accounts you do not recognise.
  • www.callcredit.plc.uk telephone 0870 060 1414
  • www.equifax.co.uk telephone 0870 010 0583
  • www.experian.co.uk telephone 0870 241 6212
  • Register with CIFAS protective registration www.cifas.org.uk. When an application is made to open an account, the financial institution will check your credit rating with one of the age mentioned above. They will then undertake additional verification checks to ensure the application is genuine. You will have to pay for this service.

If you would like any more information then please contact me on the above number or contact) local Safer Neighbourhood Team Officer on 01202 22 22 22.

Thank you.

Debbie Oldfield

Crime Reduction Advisor

Bournemouth and Poole Division

Dorset Police

BPCCRA February Minutes Posted

Posted on by

To see the Branksome Park and Canford Cliffs Resident Association Meeting February 2010 minutes please click here…

Including:

  • Cabinet meeting recommends 2.9% Council Tax Rise.
  • Canford Cliffs Play Area “on hold”.
  • Notice Board for Library ordered.
  • Carol Parkin appointed new Minutes Secretary from April 2010.
  • 11 Leicester Road Care Home Application – Planning Inquiry on 20/04/2010 at the Guildhall at 10:00 am. Please attend to show the strength of local feeling.

Date of next meeting Wednesday 10th march, St. Aldhelms.

BPCCRA Minutes February 10th 2010

Posted on by

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

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 10th FEBRUARY 2010 AT 7.30PM

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

PRESENT:

  • John Sprackling  – Chairman
  • Keith Alcroft – Planning Officer
  • Stan Alfert  – Data Protection Officer
  • Val Short – Minutes Secretary
  • Cllr Mrs May Haines  – Ward Councillor
  • Cllr Neil Sorton – Ward Councillor
  • 20 Members/Wardens

1. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTES

JS welcomed MH NS, those present for the first time and all those present.

Apologies: Apologies received from Terry Stewart (Holiday), John Defty, Bob & Phyllis Young, Peter DuLieu, Ken Sanson, Chairman, Sandbanks Assn

Accuracy: JS said that he would sign the Minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting held on 13 January 2010.

2. MATTERS ARISING

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

  1. 1. Quayside (former Dolphin Quays) development – No new developments
  2. 2. Poole Pottery factory buildings in Sopers Lane – A planning application to erect a 116 bed care home with an associated Day Centre.was registered on 18/01/10.
  3. Former Poole Pottery & Swan Inn site – No new developments
  4. Quay Thistle Hotel site –
  5. 5. Old Orchard House. 39-61. High Street – a statement in the accounts for Coltham Orchard Ltd for the year to 30/11/08 seems to contradict 3.5 of the report of former Head of Planning Control & Design presented to the Planning Committee on 11/12/08. The Head of Legal & Democratic Services does not feel that this is material from a planning point of view “at this stage”.  JS is pursuing this with BDO Stoy Hayward LLP, the accountants acting for Coltham Orchard Ltd.

Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements – update:

JS reported…

75 Canford Cliffs Road (Alterations to existing entrance to form new vehicular access with gates) – Amended plans refused on 07/12/09. The owner has been asked to undertake the works to reinstate the boundary by 22/03/10.

55 Canford Cliffs Road (Front boundary treatment and gates does not comply with Branksome Park Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan) – a formal notice is being served.

19 Mornish Road (Tree replacement) – Preparation for presentation of the details of this case to legal advisers are underway.

15A Westminster Road – Planning Enforcement Officer was visiting site on 04/02/10 to see if the Notice served last year has been complied with yet.

Bella Rosa, 37 Haven Road – No new developments.

2 Compton Avenue & 93 Lilliput Road – ditto

Community Working Group (CWG), Progress re Sir Michael Pitt’s recommendations & IDeA Report: Roy Pointer reported on CWG meeting held on 20/01/10…

Pre-application advice – Concern has been expressed about the delay in the pre-application advice appearing on the website. Stephen Thorne has agreed to look into speeding up the process but said that it is not essential for them to be displayed before a determination just as long as they are displayed.

Ward Walks – The Spring Ward Walk is planned for 14th April 2010.  Residents should bring matters to their Councillors that they wish to be discussed during the walk. NS reminded members that Ward Walks are not intended for discussing particular planning applications, just the general character of the area.

Sea Defences and Flooding – The group were informed that an external consultant has been commissioned to look into what flood defence measures are required to protect the town centre up to 2026, including costs. .

Major applications and developments – The level of engagement with the community representatives was questioned with regard to major applications and developments.

Newsletter – a 2nd edition of the Planning & Regeneration Unit’s newsletter is currently being worked on the next and the aim is to release  this by 19th February.

Annual Meeting – The Community Working Group has now been running for a year and it was always the intention that it will have a 50% refresh at the point of the annual meeting.  RP said that the Assn has been one of the most active contributors to the group we should do what it can to retain its seat on the Group.

JS said he would circulate the full Minutes of the meeting with the Assn’s Minutes.

Poole Beaches and Coastal Defences: JS reminded members that comments on Poole & Christchurch Bays Shoreline Management Plan are required by 17/02/10. A  comment form can be downloaded from the website  www.twobays.net

Council Tax 2010/11 & Council’s Budget Monitoring report: JS reported that the Council’s 2010/11 Budget was presented at last night’s Cabinet meeting and a 2.9% rise in Council Tax is to be recommended at next week’s Council meeting.

William Mutlow reported that the Council’s Financial Monitoring Report as at 31/12/09 shows a current forecast underspend of just under £1.9m.  This includes a provisional Housing & Planning Delivery Grant of £1.1m recently received from Central Government   Without this the underspend would have been £0.8m..  The unearmarked reserves for the next financial year is £6.7m – £7m’

At the last meeting, WM queried the Council’s use of ‘Earmarked Reserves’ which were not shown in the Original Budget, seemingly to ‘balance the books’ . Adam Richens, Head of Accountancy

“…Earmarked Reserves are amounts set aside to support one-off costs pressure associated with a specific project or programme where the expenditure will fall over more than one period of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP). They are not included in the budget book due to the uncertainties around the exact timing of the expenditure.

As an example in September 2008 the Council established a £300,000 earmarked reserve to be applied in support of the Carbon Management Programme over the MTFP period.

Within the Council’s December 2009/10 Budget Monitoring report (Appendix A8) £73,000 has been identified as the forecast expenditure to be spent in supporting the Carbon Reduction Programme in 2009/10. The £3.149m total use of earmarked reserves figure (Appendix A1) includes the estimated drawdown of this £73,000.”

Poole Partnership: JS reported that the State of the Area Debate meeting has been re-scheduled for  tomorrow (11/02/10).

Canford Cliffs Village & proposal to plant trees in Haven Road: MH reported that Highways have reprinted the maps from the internet, hopefully they will be better, but it is probably as good as they will get!

Public Rights of Way:

Westminster Road end of Dalkeith Road – No further developments

Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – ditto

Bessborough Road – ditto

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 had been “put on hold”.

JS reported on the meeting with Simon Legg and Karen Elborn, Natural Habitats Supervisor, Borough of Poole which took place on 20/01/10.  Also present were Cllrs Mrs Haines, Neil Sorton, Keith Alcroft & Ian Lewis, Chairman of Dorset Lake Residents’ Assn.

The planting in the sunken garden is be improved and the shrubbery immediately below the Southern wall is to be cut back to allow a better view in the direction of the Isle of Wight.  It may be possible, in the longer term, to remove the holm oak on the cliff face to provide a better view of the harbour.

It has been suggested that the Assn should take advantage of the Green Card scheme which allows local residents, community groups and other organisations to apply for new or improved leisure related facilities in parks or other open spaces across the Borough. The Green Card application form can be downloaded from the BoP website and JS is looking for a volunteer willing to take this forward.

Use of Assn’s Capital Reserve & Canford Cliffs Library Noticeboard:  JS reported that the Canford Cliffs Library noticeboard is on order.

Public Liability Insurance (PLI) –  JS is pursuing.

Mobile ‘Phone Mast, Elgin Road: A Prior Approval application to remove the existing 12 metre pole and replace with a 15 metre high pole & an additional cabinet at ground level was granted on 18/10/10.

3.  NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

KA reported…

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 now the subject of appeal (APP/Q1255/A/10/2120940) to be determined at a Hearing. The final date for Statements & representations is 10/03/10.

Roland Cunnell suggested that Members might like to write to the Planning Inspectorate (using the on-line facility available via the Planning Inspectorate’s website <http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/public/planning/appeals/search/>) to show the strength of local feeling.

7A Bury Road (Demolition of the existing bungalow and detached garage and an amended proposal for a new 3 storey detached dwelling) – Appeal dismissed on 03/02/10.

JS reported that the application for 29 Links Road (Demolish existing dwelling and sever land to erect 2 detached town houses) is due to be determined at tomorrow’s meeting of Planning Committee. The officer’s recommendation is to ‘Grant Subject to Unilateral Undertaking’.

NS reported that the Planning Inquiry for 11 Leicester Road has been fixed for 20/04/10 and three days had been set aside for this.  This will be an important test case for Branksome Park

(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.

Other current planning issues

6 Durrant Road 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 final date for Statements & representations is 10/03/10

24 Cliff Drive (Extension to existing beach hut & relocate steps (revised Scheme) – Letter of objection lodged on behalf of Assn on 08/01/10.

4 Lawrence Drive (Demolish existing buildings and erect 1 block of 8 apartments with assoc parking) – Letter of objection lodged by Assn on 20/11/09.  Amended plans lodged on 18/11/09 and application has been ‘Red-carded’.  Note from Tree Officer dated 19/01/10 – “No objection”.

The Cottage, Kingsgate, 7 The Avenue (Demolish existing property and erect 5 replacement Townhouses) – Amended plans lodged on 30/11/09.

10 Nairn Road (Demolish the existing house and erect 2 x 4 bedroom maisonettes with associated parking) – Application registered on 24/08/09.  Letter of objection by Assn lodged on 10/10/09.  Amended plans lodged on 27/11/09.  Letter of objection from Natural England registered on 07/12/09.

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.

19 Sandbourne Road (Demolish existing and erect 5 apartments over 3 storeys with basement parking and associated cycle and bin store) – S106 details to be submitted before determining.

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) – Application registered on 14/10/09.  There is a technical issue regarding the minor amendment, in relation to correctly linking the amendment scheme to the section 106 agreement of permission 07/12687/006/F which the LPA are trying to sought out with the agent.

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.

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. PRESENTATION ON CONSERVATION AREAS

Warren Lever, Environment and Design Team Leader gave an interesting and informative insight into

  • Character Appraisals in Conservation Areas
  • Design Judgement and Assessment for planning applications
  • Character and By Design/PPS1 – raising the bar.
  • Characterisation Work of Borough

NS:    What is professional relationship between design officer and case officers?

WL:  The design officer can offer advice, but the case officer is not bound to follow the recommendations

NS:  Should they not be on the ‘same side’?

WL:  Not always.  There needs to be more training on design issues for planning officers.  ‘Building for life’ assessment is driving up quality.

Roy Pointer:  The character of buildings in Branksome Park has not been consistent in the developments during the past 10 years or so (e.g. Thunderbirds / traditional) and there is no longer a defined architectural style.  New development cannot rectify the mistakes.

WL:  Planners need to assess the character of the street, although it is easier to define the character in some places than in others, and then try to guide in the right direction.

A member  It sets a precedent if “thing” is built in the middle of “good stuff”, this can lead to problems.

WL:  The prevailing grain and form of buildings in the area is the main guideline and sometimes the inspectorate with agree, sometimes not.

A member: Who decides where conservation areas are to be?

WL:  The local authority.  The aim is to raise the quality of the area, but you have to draw a line somewhere. A definite character trait is needed, and adjacent areas are also important.

SA: To what extent will planners change attitudes to ‘bits in the middle’?

WL  This comes back to the issue of Borough-wide Conservation Area guidelines.

Chris Stacey  There is a large amount of anger in the area over the characterisation of the Lilliput area being turned into a ‘Florida seafront’ with characterless properties not of lasting quality.  The constant building sites and associated traffic is upsetting local residents as it has been going on for some time.

WL  It is hoped that characterisation work will help with policies.

NS  Conservation area status gives greater powers to the local authority.

  1. CANFORD CLIFFS & PENN HILL AREA COMMITTEE MEETING (04/02/09)  As TS was not present there was no report but the Agenda included reports on
  • Pinecliff Gardens (Sunken Garden) – see above
  • Tower Road (Request for parking restrictions) – The Traffic Panel met on 25/11/09 and recommended no action.
  • Pedestrian lights at the Branksome Railway Hotel – It is argued that, before timing of the lights was changed, pedestrians were having a disproportionate effect on traffic congestion.

Chairman’s note: I do not accept this argument as, if a pedestrian presses the button and gets and immediate response, the traffic has to stop.  If a pedestrian presses the button and has to wait for a minute, the traffic will still have to stop. However, I fear that this is a lost cause.

5. ACCOUNTS TO DATE – JS reported that JD had asked to step down as Hon Treasurer and he has approached another member to take over this role.  The individual is willing to do so but already has e regular commitment on the 2nd Wednesday of each month which means that he would not be able to attend the Assn’s monthly meetings, although he will be able to attend the AGM.

No member raised any particular objection to the idea of the treasurer not being able to attend meetings, as cash statements will distributed in the normal way and any queries can dealt with by

e-mail/telephone, as the need arises.

Chairman’s note: The total funds at 31st January 2010 stand at £34,571.89.

6.ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Minutes Secretary – JS said that he had been seeking someone to succeed Val Short but, so far, without success.

Chairman’s note: I’m pleased to say that Carol Parkin, who is a Trustee of Canford Cliffs Village Hall,

has kindly agreed to take over the role of Minutes Secretary from 14/04/10.

The meeting closed at 9.00pm

Date of next meeting: The next meeting is Wednesday 10th March 2010 in the Main Hall at Branksome St Aldhelm’s Parish Centre (Entrance via Lindsay Road)