Tag Archives: Meeting

Branksome Park, Canford Cliffs & District Residents’ Association Minutes Sept 2016

Posted on by

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

 

Present             Bob Reid (BR)                         Chairman

Terry Stewart (TS)                   President

Tracy Holmes(TH)                   Planning Officer for Branksome Park

 

Cllr Mohan Iyengar(MI)          Ward Counsellor

 

18 wardens and members.

 

Welcome and Apologies

Roger Vice-Chairman, and Zofia Allen, Carol (CP)and Mike Parkin Secretary and Membership Secretary, John Gunton magazine editor, Paul Fernley Treasurer, and members Vivienne Evans, Dawn Goodson, Christine Norman, John Cribb and Sarah Holt.

Cllr May Haines (MH) Ward Councillor

BR thanked Julie Reid for helping to make notes for the minutes of the meeting, in the absence of CP

 

2 Minutes of meeting 13th July 2016

These had been circulated and a few were available at meeting for new members or reference.

3 Matters arising

William Mutlow (WM) pointed out that his comments had not been included in the minutes regarding Julian Osgathorpe as the Executive Director for Corporate Services for Bournemouth Borough Council and the Borough of Pool.

 

Submitted by John Sprackling (JS) with reference to item 7. We are still waiting to learn the official outcome of the Licencing Sub Committee on26 July 2016.

MI Agreed they should be online by now and explained that the confidential element would probably be due to requirements of the Legal Department.

BR pointed out that Martin Heath (MRH) has had a letter confirming that the Licence was granted with an end time of 11pm rather than 1am and restrictions on noise levels. Copies of the letter were available.

 

BR pointed out that the membership forms, separate from the magazine are already available and comply with ICO data protection requirements.

 

BR also announced that following from the June meeting when questions were asked about the four empty shops in Canford Cliffs. There has been a development in that Mandy Payne, Economic Development Officer at Borough of Poole came to a meeting with JS, BR and George Perrins of the Land Society and discussed ways in which the appearance of the shops could be improved.

Various options were discussed and it is hoped some progress can be made.

She hopes to set up a Traders Collective.

MI filled us in with the information that he has been talking to Mandy about this and she has great experience in the field business promotion professionally, He did advise caution as the four shops pay full business rates and there will be legal restrictions on what can be done. The shops are family owned and their accountant baulked at spending £2000 on improving them.

 

On completing the matters arising TS proposed accepting the minutes and JS seconded.

 

4 On Road Parking Charges, Update after the Cabinet meeting.

BR informed that the Steering Group had been meeting regularly and is awaiting to hear when the Poole Cabinet will next consider the proposal. Cllr May Haines had indicated that it probably would not be at its October meeting.

We are carrying out preliminary work for a Judicial Review if necessary should the decision be to go ahead with the meters. And have started preliminary enquiries on legal advice to that end. Any such action would be referred to members for approval.

Roy Pointer(RP) reminded members that we have issued a newsletter, on our strategy and objections copies of which are available on the website. Following a number of unsatisfactory responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, RP had referred them to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for review. The latter had instructed Poole Council to provide better answers by 12th October. This £1/2 million project is claimed to ease congestion in Sandbanks area and to contribute to the 25 year Seafront Development Plan the only part of has been approved are some new beach huts.

RP explained that the public meeting in March and Poole Committee meetings had been filmed for a TV programme called “Parking Wars” to be screened on Tuesday next.

MI said that he could not add to what Janet Walton or MH have said and he said that Council would keep this proposal alive as it is their duty to consider all proposals that could raise money.

Martin Heath (MRH) said that Cabinet have never discussed congestion in detail and the project was simply about making money.

A member pointed out that the only congestion is on Sandbanks and most of the roads earmarked for meters are not congested

RP confirmed that when asked, the Council, admitted they had not recorded any complaints about congestion or the lack of parking.

A member said that living in Bingham Avenue for 15 years parking congestion had never reached their road.

Several members pointed out that you cannot legally use parking charges on roads simply to bring in funds.

Several other members spoke against the proposed scheme but no one spoke in favour.

A member said that the congestion at Sandbanks became worse after the Council took away the feeder lane to the car park.

He had also talked to the senior transport officer who told him that ‘people needed to change their attitude to the car and make more use the buses’ but all agreed that a family going to the beach would not do that, the buses are very infrequent and the “equipment” needed for a family day at the beach made the bus impractical.

5 Neighbourhood Watch  

 

BR announced that Neighbourhood Watch had a coffee morning at Sandbanks Hotel last Friday 9th September and Pat Halliday invited us to take a table to promote what we do. BR, RP, JS attended and as a result we found some new residents who have now joined up. And we explained to others how we are opposing the parking scheme and other areas we help with. We work closely with N. W. as some of our concerns overlap e.g. Party Houses

BR also pointed that their Newsletter is available and has dates for future events.

 

6 New Council Options

BR said that the consultation for the amalgamation/reorganisation of councils started at the end of August and he outlined some of the options currently proposed and that there are “roadshow” drop in sessions, and the next one is outside Budgens in Broadstone on Friday. Also that the questionnaire and more information is online at BOP website.

Several members pointed out that the survey is available in local libraries and that only 20,000 have been posted out to individual homes.

BR pointed out that some of the cards giving the options were available provided by MH on Monday.

While the objective is to reduce costs and save money it was noted that over 70% of the budget is spent on child, and elderly services so savings by reducing some staff will not make a huge saving.

MRH said the financial basis on which the reorganisation is based has many flaws and does not show how the savings will be made unless you read the Local Partnerships’ Financial Analysis report which is difficult to follow.

Several members pointed out that there is little information available on which we are meant to make a decision.

A member was concerned that the financial planning was not properly done and that the planning and information available is very poor.

MRH pointed out that the Financial Analysis report shows that new Town Councils

for Christchurch and Weymouth were being considered, but none for Poole and

Bournemouth. It appears that existing Town and Parish Councils across Dorset are to

remain. A member observed that if ceremonial Mayors were to be retained, then it

would be necessary to have Town Councils.

A member queried whether there would be extra funding from the Government, but

MRH said that this has happened with the creation of Combined Authorities with

elected Mayors and extra responsibilities, but was not applicable to the proposed

Local Authority mergers.

BR mentioned the ORS firm doing the consultation, and MH pointed out that it is more market research than consultation.

A member noted that there had already been a consultation on a combined

authority for Dorset.

Suggestions were made to combine the whole area as a unitary council but BR explained, and MI confirmed that the whole area would be too big.

MH discussed the funding around having Mayors.

TS clarified that there are two totally different exercises here. One is the merging of the nine councils into two Unitary Authorities, one urban and one rural. Separate from that there is the Dorset Authority which is linked in with the LEP. The LEP is the source of funding from Government but the LEP was being run my commercial managers with little democratic input so now they have made the leaders of the nine councils on the board and they have two responsibilities, one is transport for the whole county, and two the economic development for the whole county.

RP informed the meeting that on Monday MH had suggested the plan was to reduce staffing and other costs and save millions but that is unlikely to save very much.

BR suggested that MH, who had offered to talk to our committee could perhaps talk to our members at a meeting.

MRH was concerned that the harmonisation of council taxes was based on the assumption that Poole’s council taxpayers would be paying annual increases of 3.99% for the next 20 years, doubted the calculations and suggested that Poole residents will be paying an extra 3.99% for the next 20 years.

WM had also said that it would fall to the Tax payers to make up any shortfall.

The general feeling expressed by several members was that we had insufficient evidence on which to make a judgement so the consultation is largely irrelevant.

John Sprackling (JS) suggested we may need a public meeting to be more informed.

 

 

7 Planning issues  

Report from Tracy Holmes was read out by BR
1 Beaumont Road, Poole, BH13 7JJ

Application: Demolition of the existing building and construction of three detached houses with associated parking and access (revised scheme)

 

9 Elmstead Road

Application: demolish existing dwelling and erect two new dwellings. Grant subject to conditions

 

The Gatehouse, 6 Tower Road West, Poole, BH13 6LA

Application: Use of The Gatehouse as a self-contained and non-ancillary unit of accommodation

 

33 Cliff Drive, Poole

Planning Committee : Grant with conditions installation of flue stack

 

5-7 Chaddesley Glen

Application for flats ongoing

 

14 Chester Road

Application for side extension: Appeal lodged

 

30 Tower Road

Application for 12 flats: Ongoing

 

15 b Bury Rd

Tree work application: Hearing today

 

HMO at 14 Pinewood

Following from my correspondence with Stephen Thorne, he has made an appointment to see BR.

 

2 Martello Park the original approved plan has been modified to raise the height by what appears to be 1 metre. Looking into this.BR

 

 

8 Residents parking scheme

 

BR informed the meeting that Roger Allen had contacted Stephen Dean (SD) regarding the parking problem at Ormonde, Chester roads and that area.

BR referred to SD’s reply, thanking Roger for his introduction and said that POB council would want a positive and constructive relationship with the Residents Association and that he would pass the email to our ward councillors and to the Portfolio Holder for Transportation Drew Mellor

BR read out the final line of the email “I’ll look into the background of the situation and get back to you.”

Mike Wriggley (MW) introduced Himself and Fanchea Clarke who live in Chester Road heard about us from Neil Denning and told the meeting that the problem of parking in Chester Road has increased dramatically over the last 4 years.

He further told members that since Zone K was implemented there has been no survey of the present situation and when contacting the Council they feel fobbed off. Every 6 months it goes round in circles.

MI pointed out that he has met with Neil and Mike and filled in the background.

Originally Chester Road residents did not want to join the scheme and forest road had Yellow lines painted.

MW responded that time has moved on and LV employees, and the Nursing Home staff are causing congestion now.

MI explained that in the current climate this is a very minor issue which Officers are not likely to reconsider the original decision.

BR suggested LV run a Park and Ride from the underused Beach Road carpark.

Julie Reid explained that from her daily commute, the current LV park and ride goes through the narrow railway bridge and causes congestion to which MI said without it the on road parking would be much worse.

BR also added that since the item of parking had appeared on the Agenda there has been a huge number of emails regarding this and where yellow lines should and should not be.

 

9 Accounts

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

 

AOB

JS had brought to the Chairman’s attention that at the March Cabinet Meeting it was announced that Members were keen to ensure that work was started on the process of developing a commercial approach to the use of Council Assets as soon as possible.

At last weeks Cabinet meeting, we learnt that (a) the tender process had now been concluded and the Project will be moving forward with Deloitte as the council advisors and (b) Officers have produced an issue log- which enables specific actions agreed by the group to be progressed and reported back to the Regeneration Working Group.

The tender document included the “Poole Town Centre” and Sustaining Poole’s Seafront Supplementary Planning Documents. Are we permitted to know what Council-owned assets in Canford Cliffs Ward appear on the Council’s issue log.

JS explained that not all the Council properties are listed in the issue log. The question is what Assets in the Canford Cliff Ward are included.

MRH was concerned that items that had been ruled out for development in the SPD might come back in for consideration.

 

Terry Stewart (president) then briefed the members on The Draft Local Plan for Poole, put out for consultation. In this there has been an increase in the number of houses to be built, 11000 or 12000 houses and the whole conurbation would be 30000 houses which if you calculate is over 40000 cars in the borough. This seems over-development in an area bounded on the south and west by the sea and Bournemouth to the east, with protected heathland to the north.

So this will result in 12 story towers along the river. Higher density for many areas and encroaching onto Green Belt land such as at Canford Magna, and there is a campaign group to prevent this happening on green belt. TS thinks that 450 houses a year would be more realistic and not the 710 suggested by central government.

He went on to explain the problem of the brown field sites which developers find too uneconomic to build on so they lie derelict. He suggested the Developers have us “over a barrel” as there are over a million sites countrywide with planning permission but no developer will take them on.

We will circulate the details of the campaign to protect Poole’s green belt to those interested.

 

 

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

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

Posted on by

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

 

57th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

CANFORD CLIFFS VILLAGE HALL

SATURDAY 23rd  APRIL 2016 @ 10.30 a.m.

 

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

10.50am

 

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

 

11.30am

 

  1. Any other business 11.45am
  2. Refreshments

 

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

Branksome Park, Canford Cliffs & District Residents’ Association Agenda for January 2016

Posted on by

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

At THE COMMITTEE ROOM (formerly known as THE LOUNGE), REAR OF BRANKSOME ST ALDHELMS PARISH CENTRE (ACCESS VIA LINDSAY ROAD)

WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY 2016 @ 7.30 pm

AGENDA

7.30pm.

1.Apologies/Accuracy of Minutes (11 November 2015)

2.Matters arising (Not covered under “Review”)

Poole Pottery/Old Orchard/Quay Thistle Hotel etc sites – update

John Sprackling

Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements – update

ditto

Community Working Group

ditto

Council Budget Monitoring report (2015/16) & 2016/17 Budget

William Mutlow

Public Rights of Way

Richard Dimbleby etc

Pinecliff Gardens (Sunken garden)

Wayne Hancock

Community Engagement

Terry Stewart

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

ditto

Succession planning

John Sprackling

Uniting the Conurbation (UTC)

John Sprackling

Refreshing the Core Strategy and Review of Community Infrastructure

Terry Stewart

Levy (CIL)

Improving Association’s communications

Michael Parkin

Leaning garden wall at (?)25 The Avenue

Cllr May Haines

Branksome Park & plot sizes

Tracy Holmes

Projection equipment for Canford Cliffs Village Hall

Roy Pointer

8.00 pm.

3.

New Housing Development

Keith Alcroft

4.

Accounts to date

John Sprackling

5.

Date of next meeting

John Sprackling

8.30 pm.

6. Any other business

Any other business should be advised to the Chairman at the meeting. Items raised during the evening may be put on the Agenda for the following month.

Date of next meeting: Wednesday 10 February 2016 at 7.30pm – The Committee Room, Rear of Branksome St Aldhelms Parish Centre (Access via Lindsay Road

Dates for your diary:

24 Feb 16 Canford Cliffs and Penn Hill Area Committee Venue – TBC

Notes from Poole Residents’ Themed Meeting – BPCCRA December 2015

Posted on by

Notes from Poole Residents’ Themed Meeting

Wednesday 9th December 2015, Cattistock Suite, Civic Centre

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

 

Cllr Janet Walton, Leader of the Council (JW)

Cllr May Haines, Deputy Leader of Council (MH)

Cllr Karen Rampton

Cllr Drew Mellor

Cllr Mohan Iyengar

 

The meeting started at 10:38

 

  1. Welcome and introductions

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

 

  1. Combined Authority

JW confirmed that:

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

Residents made the following observations:

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

 

Notes from Poole Residents’ Themed Meeting

 

Wednesday 9th December 2015, Cattistock Suite, Civic Centre

 

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

 

  1. Business Case for Unitary Authority

JW confirmed that:

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

Residents made the following observations:

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

Notes from Poole Residents’ Themed Meeting

Wednesday 9th December 2015, Cattistock Suite, Civic Centre

First of all it was important to develop the cost-benefit analyses for the options and then to identify the key questions for debate.

3.11 Support was expressed for the approach to develop business cases first. It was important to take the time to develop complete scenarios and describe their benefits to residents. This would be more meaningful than asking for public opinion before knowing the facts and evidence in those business cases.

 

 

  1. Current position on Council budget for 2016/17

MH confirmed that:

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

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

 

  1. Proposal for change to waste collection

MH confirmed that:

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

Residents made the following observations:

Notes from Poole Residents’ Themed Meeting

Wednesday 9th December 2015, Cattistock Suite, Civic Centre

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

 

 

  1. Questions and Answers / Open Forum

Residents made the following points:

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

 

 

  1. Feedback

 Forms were circulated, completed and returned by attendees.

  • In the spirit of respecting the confidentiality of peoples’ feedback, a general summary was that the meeting was well received and that the limited attendance allowed a high level of quality discussion. A challenge going forward would be to retain this value while reaching out to larger groups.

 

The meeting closed at 12:20.

Notes from Poole Residents’ Themed Meeting Dec 2015

Posted on by

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

Attendees:

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

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

The meeting started at 10:38

1. Welcome and introductions

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

All attendees introduced themselves.

2. Combined Authority

JW confirmed that:

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

Residents made the following observations:

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

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

3. Business Case for Unitary Authority

JW confirmed that:

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

Residents made the following observations:

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

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

4. Current position on Council budget for 2016/17

MH confirmed that:

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

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

5. Proposal for change to waste collection

MH confirmed that:

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

Residents made the following observations:

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

6. Questions and Answers / Open Forum

Residents made the following points

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

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

The meeting closed at 12:20.

MINUTES OF THE BRANKSOME, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION for June

Posted on by
bpccra-June-2015

 

MINUTES OF BRANKSOME PARK, CANFORD CLIFFS & DISTRICT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE 2015 AT 7.30PM IN COMMITTEE ROOM, ST. ALDHELM’S PARISH CENTRE

 

PRESENT: John Sprackling (JS) Chairman
Wayne Hancock (WH) Vice-Chairman
Carol Parkin (CP) Secretary
Mike Parkin (MP) Membership Secretary
Keith Alcroft (KA) Planning Officer
John Gunton (JG) Magazine Editor
Cllr Mrs May Haines (MH) Canford Cliffs Ward Councillor
13 Members/Wardens

 

1. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTE ACTION
JS welcomed those present, particularly Cllr Mrs May Haines. JS congratulated MH
on her appointment as Deputy Leader with Portfolio responsibilities for HR, ICT, Legal
& Democratic, Strategy Asset Management (Estates excluding Transport) Finance &
Budgets, Revenue & Benefits & Customer Service – this news was greeted with a
round of applause. JS went on to say that Cllr Mohan Iyengar has been appointed
Chairman of the Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Cllr Peter Pawlowski JS
is now Chairman of the Planning Committee.

 

Apologies: Roy Pointer & Chris Stracey

 

Accuracy: JS said would sign the Minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting held on 13 MAY 2015..

 

  1. MATTERS ARISING

 

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

 

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

 

Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements – update:

JS

 

Victoria Education Centre (Landscaping to the new entrance) – No new developments
Martello Corner, Martello Road (also known as 83 Canford Cliffs Road) –(Change of
use of residential garage to dentists surgery} – Appeal against Enforcement Order
lodged on 19 May 2015.
16 Western Avenue (Erection of Single Storey Garden Room) – Deadline for
Interested Party and Appellant/LPA Final comments has passed.
8 Haig Avenue (TPO tree destroyed (EN/14/00707). Appeal against Tree
Replacement Notice to be determined at Hearing on 18th August 2015.
Community Working Group (CWG): Minutes of CWG meeting on 13 May 2015 WH
have been circulated – next meeting fixed for 24 Sept 2015.
Council Budget Monitoring report (2014/15) & 2015/16 Budget – William Mutlow WM
reported on the Council Budget Monitoring Report (1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015)
presented at the Cabinet meeting the previous day. The Council’s revenue financial
outturn was a surplus of £2,507m, which has been added to the Financial Planning
Reserve to support the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).

 

This surplus is in ADDITION to the position reported at Dec 2015 (£0.595m) which was also transferred to support the MTFP.
The surpluses reported in the final quarter included…
Ordinary Residence Claims £1.195m – Release of provision following settlement of claims
NHS Adult Social Care Support £0.325m – Additional grant from NHS in January 2015
Dilapidations £0.237m Dilapidation provision released as no claim received withinperiod.
Business rates rebates £0.081m
Net service savings £0.669m
The movements greater than £100k in the final quarter were as follows..
£197k overspend Children – Social care
£198k saving Children – Education and other budgets
£460k saving Adults – Transfer to earmarked Reserves
£200k saving Adults – Age profile of outstanding debt reassessed for bad debt
provision
£1.195m saving Adult Social Care (see above)
£325k additional grant for Adult Social Care (see above)
£113k saving Adults – General efficiencies (including staff vacancies and additional
income from catering services)
£119k overspend Culture & Community and Housing
£145k saving Public Health – Drugs and Alcohol Services
£100k saving Housing – Reduced Bad Debt Provision
Un-earmarked Reserves for 2015/16 Budget will remain at £6.25m
Earmarked Reserves at 31 Mar 2015 is £24.214m, after the application of the final
surplus for the year of £2.507m. This includes £11.584m Financial Planning Reserves
providing mitigation against the MTFP pressures; £4.115m held by Council in support
of partnerships with NHS, Schools and other stakeholders; £1.829m by way of
numerous Government. grants.
Capital spend for 2014/15 was £23.9m, which represents 87% of approved budget.
Public Rights of Way RD
Westminster Road end of Dalkeith Road – No new developments.
Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – ditto
Bessborough Road – ditto
Pinecliff Gardens (Sunken garden): WH reported that a judge from the RHS will be WH
coming to look at the garden on July 14th. WH hopes that the garden does as well as
last year, if not better.
Community Engagement: No new developments. JS/TS
Navitus Bay Offshore Wind Farm: JS reported on behalf of Roy Pointer who was RP
due to return from holiday that day that, this month, Poole & Christchurch Bays
Association (PCBA) is mounting a major card campaign this summer encouraging
residents to write to the Prime Minister simply stating why Navitus Bay wind farm is a
bad idea and should be stopped.
20,000 cards need to be delivered in selected areas between Milford on Sea and
Durlston. If members can help by covering their road or part of it, please contact Roy
Pointer royalpoint@sky.com so that he can arrange for cards to be dropped off at you
address. Please advise the name of the road and how many cards you could take;
any help will be truly welcomed to stop this deeply unpopular proposal.
Road Safety concerns: Burton Road, Canford Cliffs Road & Road surface of MH
Ravine Road: Cllr MH reported that unfortunately there has been no resurfacing to Ravine Road, but a little work has been done in patching areas. Cllr MH pointed out that if a pothole was reported to the Council, they would come and fill it in the Leicester Road/Bury Road/Wilderton Road safety concerns and the
 

 

 ACTION
following two items are to be considered at next Wednesday’s Canford Cliffs & Penn
Hill Area Committee meeting
Location Est Cost Proposal
St Aldhelms Road £1,000 Loading Ban
Western Road/Mornish £1,000 Waiting Restrictions
Road
Total £2,000

 

A number pedestrian crossings are proposed within the area covered by the Association and will be subject to agreement at a future Area Committee meeting.

Sustaining Poole’s Seafront (Formerly Seafront Beaches Master Plan SPD): No TS
new developments.
‘Party houses’: It is reported in today’s Daily Echo that Bournemouth Council officers No
issued a 48-hour Closure Order for Parkgate, Branksome Hill Road where a large further
student party expected to attract up to 300 guests, which made it a criminal offence action
for anyone other than residents to enter the site for whole weekend.
This is the first time Bournemouth council had used new powers under the Antisocial
Behaviour and Policing Act 2014 to prevent potential
JS proposed that this item be removed from the Agenda until there any new problem
is reported.
Succession planning: No new developments. JS
Pine Drive – MH said that Steve Dean is looking into this. MH
Uniting the Conurbation (Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch) –No new JS
developments
Refreshing the Core Strategy and review of Community Infrastructure Levy TS
(CIL): The Poole Core Strategy timetable will be delayed a year as, over the next
year, Poole will be engaging with other Councils in Dorset to firstly sign off the
Strategic Housing Market Assessment that identifies housing need and secondly undertake work at exploring options on where that housing should go. The Council does not have a duty to agree but it does have a duty to cooperate. In light of this strategic work,

CIL – the Council will continue to progress the review timetable, taking into consideration consultation responses with adoption expected in 2016.

Use of Poole’s Pop up Shop at 58 High Street – MH will make enquiries about cost/availability.

3 NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT –

7 Chaddesley Glen (Demolition of the existing dwelling and the construction of a pair of semi detached houses with integral garaging) – Application registered 09/04/05. Letter of objection lodged on behalf of the Association on 07/05/15. Application withdrawn on 29/05/15.

 

Other current planning issues

10 Grasmere Road (Variation of Condition 2 of permission APP/14/00805/F to substitute approved plans with the plans submitted under this application) –

Application registered 21/04/05. Letter of objection lodged on behalf of the Association on 11/05/15. To be determined by Planning Committee at meeting on 18 June 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 granted on 05/06/15.

2 Burton Road (Certificate of Lawfulness of existing use of building as a separate unit of residential accommodation) – Application refused on 28/05/15.

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. This is still a ‘current’ application.

5. ACCOUNTS TO DATE – JS reported that the total Association funds as at 31 JS
May 2015 amounted to £34,066.56.
6. IMPROVING ASSOCIATION’S COMMUNICATIONS – Work on bringing the MP/WH/
website more up to date has been on going. WH is liaising with Tom Thurston on this. JG
Roger Allen, who looks after advertising in the magazine has recently resigned due to
personal reasons. This means that we are without someone to look after the adverts
for our Autumn Magazine and JS asks that anyone who feels they can fill this post on
the Executive to please contact him. JG proposed that the Executive should thank
Roger for his work on behalf of the Association over the past three years. JS

MP reported that he is working on contacting all the blocks of flats in our area with a view to extending our block memberships.

  • ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Capacity of Lilliput Surgery and local Dental practices to cope with additional new residents – KA reported that two large developments are currently taking place in Lilliput Road and Compton Acres.

36 flats replacing four houses at 74, 76, 78 & 80 Lilliput Road and 20 retirement apartments under construction at Compton Acres.

This is going to put extra strain on local services – Lilliput Surgery and dental

practices amongst others. KA wonders if the Council has done anything about alerting10theJunesurgery2015 and dental practices of the impending loading on these extra

people.   ACTION
Cllr MH says she will put the problems arising from larges numbers of extra residents MI

to this area to Cllr Mohan Iyengar

ALL

Date of next Meeting: The next meeting will be on Wednesday – 08th July 2015 at Committee Room (formerly Lounge), Rear of Branksome St Aldhelms Parish Centre (Access via Lindsay Road) NB Wine and ‘nibbles’ will be available in the garden area of the Church Hall after this meeting.

The meeting closed at 8.20pm.

BPCCRA Minutes 10th August 2011

Posted on by

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

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 10th AUGUST 2011

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

PRESENT:

John Sprackling (JS) Chairman

Wayne Hancock (WH)Vice-Chairman

Carol Parkin (CP)Secretary

Keith Alcroft (KA)Planning Officer

John Gunton (JG) MAgazine Editor

Cllr Mrs May Haines (MH)Ward Councillor

Cllr Neil Sorton ditto

Approx. 15 Members/Wardens

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

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

2. MATTERS ARISING

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

2.    Former Poole Pottery & Swan Inn site – ditto

3.    Quay Thistle Hotel site – ditto

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Public Rights of Way:

Westminster Road end of Dalkeith Road – No new developments.

Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – ditto

Bessborough Road – ditto

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6.    ANY OTHER BUSINESS

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

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

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

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

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

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

BPCCRA Minutes February 9th 2011

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)

BPCCRA Minutes December 8th 2010

Posted on by

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

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 8th    DECEMBER 2010 AT 7.30PM

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

PRESENT:

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

1. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTES

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

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

2. MATTERS ARISING

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

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

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

4.    Quay Thistle Hotel site – ditto

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

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

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

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

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

19 Mornish Road (Tree replacement) – ditto

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Public Rights of Way:

Westminster Road end of Dalkeith Road – No new developments.

Buccleuch Road to Lakeside Road – ditto

Bessborough Road – ditto

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

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

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

Public Liability Insurance (PLI) – JS is pursuing.

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

£000s Contract

116    Printing & Design Contract

34    Mobile Phone Contract

33    Self Insurance

32    Energy Contract

215    T otal

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

3. NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

KA reported…

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

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

Other current planning issues

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

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

6.    ANY OTHER BUSINESS

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

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

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

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

BPCCRA Minutes October 13th 2010

Posted on by

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

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 13TH OCTOBER 2010 AT 7.30PM,

BRANKSOME ST. ALDHELM”S PARISH CENTRE

PRESENT :

  • Terry Stewart President
  • John Sprackling Chairman
  • Wayne Hancock Vice-chairman
  • Keith Alcroft Data Protection Officer
  • Stan Alfert Magazine Advertising
  • Cllr Mrs Carole Deas
  • Cllr Mrs May Haines
  • Cllr Neil Sorton

Approx 15 Members/Wardens

TS & CD left at 8.10pm to attend a specially arranged consultation meeting at St James Church Hall, Poole about the “Between the Bridges” development in West Quay Road,

1. APOLOGIES AND ACCURACY OF MINUTES

JS welcomed the three Ward Councillors and all those present.

Apologies: Apologies received from Bob & Phyllis Young and Hazel Clifton

Accuracy: JS said that he would sign the Minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting held on 08 SEPTEMBER 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 – A planning application for an 80 bed care home with associated facilities was registered on 09/09/10.

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

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

Planning Enforcement, TPOs/Tree replacements – update:

JS reported…

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 but ground work continuing.

19 Mornish Road (Tree replacement) – ditto

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

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

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

Community Working Group (CWG): Roy Pointer reported on CWG meeting held on 22/09/10 and said that the Minutes of the meeting would be circulated with the Minutes of tonight”s meeting.

RP reported that the Members” Annual Tour of Inspection, which was due to take place last month, will now take place on 09/11/10. The tour is part of the member training programme, as well as an opportunity to review the quality of recent development and the success, or otherwise of place shaping. Five CWG members have been invited to join the Tour and RP has put his name down for this.

JS pointed out that the Tour of inspection is concerned with large sites and he did not feel that Members would have time to visit small sites in our area.

However, Cllr Mrs Haines said that she had recently had reason to visit 29 Forest Road (13 houses with associated parking) and felt the development did actually look attractive. This was a sub-division of a large plot and Cllr Mrs Haines suggested that this particular site could be put forward as a site to be visited by the Tour of Inspection to see if a development such as this works.

Poole Beaches and Coastal Defences: RP said the the issue of flood defences is due to be  discussed at the next CWG meeting.

Council Tax 2010/11 & Council”s Budget Monitoring report: TS reported on the Financial workshop held on 24/09/10 as part of the consultation on the Council”s 2011/12 Budget.

Six members of the Association attended along with 14 others to review the proposed cuts of £29m over the next four years from the Council’s annual budget of £100m. Each participant was given a list of the costs for each department. These amounts varied considerably, from ‘Adult Social Services’ which is 39% of the total budget to ‘Parks’ which is only 1%. Those attending were asked to try to cut the budget in each section by various percentages. TS said that those attending found this well-nigh impossible as they did not have sufficient information as to the breakdown of the budgets.

Everyone from the Association who attended decided that even though they had some good discussions the whole thing was just a PR exercise to demonstrate how painful these cuts were going to be.

TS has since received an e-mail from Cllr Peter Adams asking for his suggestion as to what the next meeting might consist of.  TS will reply that those attending need more detail so that they know in practice what each cut will mean.

There then followed many comments and much discussion on the Council budget; mainly between the members of this Association who had attended the Workshop.

Chairman”s Note: The formal notes of the meeting will be circulated the Minutes of tonight”s meeting.

As TS had to leave the meeting early to attend, he used this opportunity to give feedback on his attendance earlier today at the first in a series of Twin Sails Bridge/Regeneration Open Days

He reported that the exhibition really brought home to him just how massive the changes are going to be to the centre of Poole.  He is worried that there does not seem to be a clear design or masterplan and each developer will develop how he wants to, or how much he can get away with to maximise their profits.  There is so much concern about this that a new Committee has been formed ‘The Vision for Poole Committee consisting of The Society for Poole Men, the Old Town Conservation Group and Dorset Campaign for the Protection of Rural England. The aim of this committee is to ask for tighter guidance and control of these ten sites. TS said that, in his opinion, Members need to stand up and be counted and really take a grip as the situation which, in his view, seems to be out of control.

Chairman”s Note: TS report on the information gained at today”s Twin Sails Bridge/Regeneration Open Day at Hamworthy Library is set out at the foot of these Minutes.

Poole Partnership: – JS reported that the joint meeting of Poole and Bournemouth Vision Groups which was due to take place on Monday 5th October has been postponed until after the Comprehensive Spending Review.

The Poole Partnership Local Development Framework Working Group meeting which was fixed for yesterday was also cancelled.

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 has until 21/10/10 to appeal against the Definitive Modification Order to add Footpath 82 Spur.

Chairman”s Note: The deadline for objections appears to have been extended to 25/11/10.

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):

Cllr Mrs Deas said that she had spoken with Simon Legg, BoP Greenspace Maintenance Team Leader, yesterday and the process is well underway. He hopes that the takeover of the garden will be pretty soon and he is drawing up details to the BPCCRA for their agreement and approval of the necessary documents needed to be signed by the Association, i.e. insurance, peppercorn rent etc.

Cllr Mrs Deas also reported on her support for Affordable Housing. She has been pushing for the Council to adopt the procedure of Kingston-upon-Thames. For instance, on contentious issues, the council do not go ahead and give approval without seeking the views of the residents.

She has so far had little success in this and asks that the Resident’s Associations should press as hard as they can to get this implemented.

Cllr Mrs Deas went on to say that she had attended a Planning Summer School some years ago where it was demonstrated that it is possible to regenerate the centre of a town sympathetically by incorporating modern architecture alongside old architect extremely successfully which she feels should be done in Poole centre.

JS pointed out that when Gallahers are ready to come forward with fresh plans for the former Power Station site, he feels sure that these will be the subject of a Local Engagement Forum.

Chairman”s note: The purpose of the Local Engagement Forum is “to enable those members of the community who might have meaningful comments to make on a major development, to have the opportunity to listen to detailed discussions and participate in the shaping of the scheme before it is submitted to the Council for a decision, as part of the Planning process.”

Policy for financially supporting objectors to Planning Applications:

JS read the proposals put together by Roy Pointer and SA, which were distributed to members at the meeting. These were:

1. Delegated authority is given for a Sub-group, following the request of any member, to engage specialists to draft formal representations in respect of Planning Applications which the Sub- group considers would:

(a) if approved, involve a substantial departure from the intent of national or local planning policy or regulations, and/or

(b) set an undesirable precedent for future development in the area covered by the Association.

2. The Sub-group has no authority to act in regard to Applications that relate to development outside the Association’s area nor on any request from any Member that objection be made to any Application which objection is, in the Sub-group’s opinion, largely made on a subjective basis, e.g. a mere dislike of the proposal. Any representations shall be based on planning considerations alone.

3. The Sub-group shall have no authority to arrange representations in respect of any planning appeal. The Sub-group shall comprise:

The Chairman of the Association

The Planning Officer of the Association

One other Member

Delegation to commit funds

4. The Sub-group may commit up to £1,000 or 50% (whichever is the lower) of the total cost of specialist services in respect of a single representation providing the sum committed is a full and final cost of the service up to the point of submitting the representation and not an initial instalment against further or unspecified costs of representation in respect of the Application.

5. The Sub-group shall report to the next regular meeting of the Association, any action taken under this delegation and, if necessary, seek guidance from the Association on any further action.

Review

6. The application of this delegation arrangement shall be reviewed by a Committee of the Association after the commitment of a total of £5,000 of funding, or two years operation of this Delegation, whichever shall first occur.

The Chairman then asked the meeting for comments.

Chris Stracey said that a residence had been built in his road that resembles ‘a white shoe box’, completely unlike anything else in the road, even though many objections were raised at the time.

The Chairman cited two fairly recent cases. That at 11 Leicester Road (Outline application to demolish existing dwelling & erect a 59 bedroom care home (class C2) with associated parking (15 spaces) for which the professional representation was funded by the neighbour, and Kingsgate, 7 The Avenue for which the Association contributed £1,000 towards the £11,000 it had cost for professional representation.

The above proposals are meant to help objections where an awful precedent would be set were the developing plans allowed, and not for smaller instances, for which KA provides the wording for an objection letter to the Council from the Association.

TS pointed out that the principle of this is that the Association contributes towards professional advice to fight a local contentious issue whereby a number of residents would be affected, or where it would set an undesirable precedent.

Cllr. Mrs Deas said that Kingsgate, 7 The Avenue, was a good example. Mr. & Mrs. Lace have just received notification from Barrister’s opinion that they can actually stop anyone accessing the  driveway. The Council were arguing against this and backing Seven Developments but through Barrister’s Opinion the residents have discovered that they do in fact own four-fifths of the driveway and they are entitled to withhold right of way. This will send out a clear message to Seven Development that residents will fight to the end, even if Council have already given their planning permission.

KA pointed out that it is very difficult to legislate to cover all situations. SA proposed that we accept the proposals as they stand now.

The Chairman asked for a show of hands that these proposals be adopted with a note to cover KAs point.

Public Liability Insurance (PLI) – JS is pursuing.

Poole Council”s Business Transformation/Efficiency Review Programme: An updated report on this programme is due to be presented to the Council Efficiency and Effectiveness Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting in February 2011.

Funding for the NHS Dental Practice in Westbourne: JS reported that Mr Hamid Kolahy of the Westbourne Dental Practice had recently written to Jim Wilson to say that his practice n Alum Chine Road is only paid at £19.50 per UDA compared with three other local dental practices are paid at a higher rate Alderney Dental Practice, 451 Ringwood Road £26.00 per UDA (3.1 miles) Pasadena Dental, 210 Ashley Road, Parkstone £24.50 per UDA (1.6 miles) Parsa Dental, 11 The Triangle, Bournemouth £24.00 per UDA (1.1 miles)

JS ascertained that none of those present at the meeting actually use the Westbourne Dental Practice and it was decided that the Association took no action to follow this u, especially as it is outside our own area.

Chairman”s note: In a note from Sarah, the Director of Patient Safety and Quality, NHS Bournemouth and Poole to Jim Wilson dated 19/07/10, she says that it is “not in a position to reimburse all dentists to the highest level of payment and due to the contractual position of dentists; it would not be possible to remove resources from another dentist. However, when Units of Dental Activity become available, for example if a dental practice closes, the PCT will put the activity out to tender with a view to securing a dental service in line with our Oral Health Needs Assessment. In this way, dentists can secure additional activity and we will at the same time review the value of the UDAs.”

BPCCRA Autumn 2010 Magazine: JS signed off final version on 11/10/10.

SA reported that the lists of wardens had now been printed and those who distribute the magazines should be getting their printed lists from Michael Bond within the next couple of weeks. SA appealed to Wardens to let him know where the data is wrong, so that the Assn can

maintain the best possible database.

Parking in Shore Road: Cllr Mrs Haines reported that she was due to present a petition from residents living in Shore Road and Brudenell Avenue, about camper vans being used as “beach- huts” & overnight sleeping and water sports vans parking 24/7 in Shore Road by taking advantage of Beach Parking Permits, to the Transportation Advisory Group meeting on 07/10/10 but this was cancelled and the next meeting will take place on 25/11/10

As Cllr Mrs Haines will not be here for this meeting the petition will be presented by Cllr. Sorton. Another Ward Councillor will also be at this meeting as other areas in the Borough also have similar problems with camper vans.

3. NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT JS reported that the Assn had not registered any objections to planning applications during the past month.

Other current planning issues

The Cottage, Kingsgate, 7 The Avenue (Erect a detached house on land adjacent to The Cottage and erect detached garage to The Cottage) – Application was granted with conditions at Planning Committee meeting on 09/09/10.

4 Lawrence Drive (Demolish existing buildings and erect 1 block of 8 apartments with assoc parking) – Application refused on 05/03/10. Awaiting outcome of appeal Hearing (APP/Q1255/A/10/2128771) held on 28/09/10.

11 Westminster Road East

(a) Demolish existing and erect a 3 storey single dwelling and garage with associated vehicular access

(b) Demolition of existing dwelling and garage. Erection of a 3-storey (part) single family dwelling, a garage and associated vehicular access and landscaping

Both applications refused under delegated authority on 04/04/10 & 29/06/10 are subject of a “Written Representations” appeals (APP/Q1255/E/10/2132669 & APP/Q1255/E/10/2132672). The “Start date” for these appeals was 22/07/10. Site visit took place on 13/10/10.

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 “Start date” for this appeal was 27/01/10. Site visit took place on 13/10/10.

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. Awaiting outcome of appeal Hearing (APP/Q1255/A/10/2129589) held on 12/10/10

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) – Written Representations appeal (APP/Q1255/A/10/2122302) was dismissed on 16/09/10.

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.

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). Site visit took place on 07/09/10.

(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) – Application granted on.26/07/10

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.   UPDATE RE CANFORD CLIFFS & FENN HILL AREA COMMITTEE MEETING (15/09/10) Chairman”s Note: I omitted to cover this item.

Lengthy discussions took place on recent changes in the Penn Hill Avenue and suggestions were made for improvements to the Kingsbridge Road/Highmoor Road junction.

Officers from Strategic Planning gave presentations on Preferred Options for Additional Sites – Consultation on Proposed and Revised Policy Areas

5.                  ACCOUNTS TO DATE – JS reported that the total funds as at 30th September amounted to £33,187.32, which takes account of the £3,000 donated to the Canford Cliffs Village Hall. It has also been agreed to make a payment of £1,000 to the flat-owners at Kingsgate, 7 The Avenue towards their costs of £11,000 fighting Seven Developments applications for the site at the rear.

6.                  ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Ward Walks – Cllr. Sorton reported on his Ward Walk with Cllr. Mrs Haines. Part of this was in Canford Cliffs Village and had suggested that we get rid of some of the clutter’ – in particular some of the litter bins. Cllr. Haines added that the question of trees in Haven Road had been brought up with the officers – trees contained in pots perhaps.

The next area visited was Mountbatten Road/Cassel Avenue area to check the distinctiveness, and will ask for this area to be given Conservation Area status.

Turning circle in Torbay Road – Rose Rogers asked if there were any regulation covering a rubbish skip left permanently obstructing this part of the road Cllr. Mrs Haines said that there was no restriction to having a skip in your own drive. JS suggested that she took up this question with a Penn Hill Ward Councillor, or that she contacts Transportation Services for their advice.

The meeting closed at 8.30pm.

Date of next Meeting: Wednesday 10th November 2010 in the Main Hall at Branksome St Aldhelm”s Parish Centre (Entrance via Lindsay Road)

REPORT ON INFORMATION GAINED AT TWIN SAILS BRIDGE/REGENERATION

OPEN DAY ON 13/10/10 AT HAMWORTHY LIBRARY

A. Nigel Jacobs : Strategic Planning

1. I recommend you get hold of the plan and drawings of ‘Poole’s Masterplan. A town Fit for the 21st Century.’

2. Because of cuts & staff shortages they are limited on their work. Current Priorities :

(a) Dorset Heathlands, because of commitments to other Dorset Councils. Nigel leads this project.

(b) Site Specific Plan.

(c) Infrastructure Plan.

(d) Update SPG2 Design Masterplan.

3.They will be starting shortly on updating SPG2.

4.Warren Lever has been asked to look at setting up a Design Forum. Currently the thought is for one covering Bournemouth and Poole. Examples of good forums have some Community participation. Important that one of us is on the Forum.

5.There has been pressure to relax some elements of the SPG2 requirements because of the Recession. The Core Strategy Inspector recommended a more flexible approach to development in the regeneration area to enable development to occur recognising its impact on viability.

6. The Council (i.e. the Councillors if they have the leadership guts ␣ my comment) are faced with a choice:

(a) If they want speedier development to provide employment, etc. it will mean lower CIL (Section 106 contributions) for Affordable Housing, and other Infrastructure with less discipline on enforcing SPG2 and other Core Strategy requirements.

Or b) holding up approving the key sites until the economy picks up when the developer profits improve and they can secure contributions to meet the stated needs set out in policy.

7. Planning Department has the power to refuse an application if the architectural design is poor.

8. In the end it is up to Councillors to make this decision. I believe we can apply heavy democratic pressure on Councillors leading up to the Local Elections in May, to apply Option B.

9. CABE have just done a review of the current Masterplan and are relatively happy that there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the principles within. Unlikely they will be issuing a written report.

10. The West Quay Road site is a critical to the regeneration of Poole and ideally would come forward last, although the Council has no control over the timing of planning applications. The Council will need to take a view as explained in 6.

11. The Core Strategy statement on number of units per site is a minimum figure. Overall the Core Strategy has to deliver a minimum number of dwellings (PCS5). If developers choose to go for different levels of use then they need to justify against what the overall approach to a site/location is demonstrating that their scheme can meet stated objectives for the Town.

12. He believed that Gallahers would be unlikely to gain support for 1,600 units on Hamworthy site ␣ as compared with Core Strategy 1,100 plus. Anticipates that any future scheme would not be too far away from baseline in Core Strategy.

13. The outline approval for the West Quay Marina site, s106 not yet signed, includes a provision that if the economy picks up and the developer makes more profit than forecast, the Council can re-visit the calculations and secure some Affordable Housing, etc. contributions. This approach is now being worked into other s106 agreements where viability is an issue.

14. Sainsbury are in no hurry to submit an application for development of their car park.

15. There is no indication that the Goods Yard site will be redeveloped soon although Network Rail retains aspirations for a new station but only as part of a development package for the whole site.

16. The multi-storey car park next to the Dolphin Centre may be demolished to allow extension of the centre.

17. The future of the Barclays Tower is uncertain. At some stage Barclays will want modern office accommodation which presents issues over what happens to the current building. Refurbishment is an option but redevelopment probably more likely. Barclays are committed to staying in Poole and there is no timeframe on any changes to this site.

18. The new Lifting Bridge will always be raised first. If there is heavy boat traffic in the summer the Harbour Master will have the power to raise both bridges at the same time should there be safety issues. There will be a bridge control unit on the Gallagher site with views of both bridges.

19. The bus depot behind the multi-storey park will be relocated to an industrial estate to allow expansion of the Dolphin Centre. The Bus Station will not be moved, but it may be re-modelled to allow for the Centre’s expansion.

B. Chris Francombe : Transport Planning

1. A31 link from the Port to Merley, Gravel Hill is unlikely to be dualled in the near future. The A31 round Wimborne may be dualled from 2020, but will depend on Government cuts.

2. Dorset County Council has agreed that the junction at Merley between the A31 and the A 349 will be closed for 2 weeks and 1 day so the 200 VIPs can be guaranteed to travel from London to Weymouth in 2 hours 43 minutes.

There has been no decision yet about the period of the Paralympics. Poole Council were not fully consulted, but are demanding in return that the Canford Bottom roundabout be converted into a hamburger design with the A31 going straight though the middle. Later the roundabout may have a flyover across the middle. There is likely to be traffic chaos during this period.

3. The £40million link from the A338 to the Airport will not be built since there is not a large enough traffic forecast.

4. The industrial site at the Airport is being reduced from 40 hectares to 20. The public bus service will be inadequate. Much employment will be provided at the Ferndown Estate planned for 20 hectares.

5.            Still discussing whether Kingland Road will be closed between the bus station and the Lighthouse. Key is the road into the bus station. Kingland Road may be reduced to a single one- way road.

6.            The rail link to Swanage will be implemented; current cost £40million, but depends on Railtrack problems.

7.            The rubble from the Hamworthy site will be removed over the 2nd lifting bridge and then down Holes Bay Road.

Terry Stewart