BOROUGH OF POOLE

ALDERNEY, BRANKSOME EAST AND WEST AREA COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY, 22nD FEBRUARY 2012

The Meeting commenced at 7:00pm and finished at 9:15pm.

Present:

Councillor Mrs Rampton (Chair)

Councillors Rollo-Smith, Mrs Le Poidevin, Rollo-Smith, Miss Wilson, Meachin and Trent.

Also Attending:

Councillor Mrs Judy Butt – Portfolio Holder for Public Engagement and Participation (including the Localism Agenda) and Borough of Poole Equalities Champion;

Jez Martin- Nature Conservation Officer, Leisure Services;

Gaynor Mant- Community Safety Education Officer (Dorset Fire & Rescue Service)

Phil Allen- District Officer (Poole)- Dorset Fire & Rescue Service

Mic Mason- Project Officer (Green Waste Collection Scheme), Environmental & Consumer Protection Services;

Lisa Gardner – Democratic Support Officer, Legal & Democratic Services.

Members of the public present: 30 approximately.

ABE32.11APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for Absence were received from Councillor Phil Eades (Branksome West Ward).

ABE33.11DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

(Minute ABE37.11):Councillor Meachin declared a personal interest that he owned a small amount of shares in Southern Electric;

(Minute ABE39.11): Councillor Rollo-Smith declared a personal interest that he occasionally taught at St Aldhelms’ Academy on a voluntary basis.

ABE34.11MINUTES

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 14th December 2011, having been previously circulated, be taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING

(Minute ABE26.11) Residents’ Meeting regarding the Motor Show at Talbot Drive

Councillor Trent advised that a Meeting had taken place recently with a representative from Newsquest (Organiser of the Motor Show), Environmental & Consumer Protection Services, the Safer Neighbourhood Team, local residents, Councillor Miss Wilson and himself to discuss concerns raised regarding last year’s Motor Show at Talbot Drive. The Meeting had been very useful, the organiser had a full awareness of the concerns raised and the attendees had left feeling reassuredthat the problems encountered last year (particularly during the Saturday morning) would not be repeated.

(Minute ABE29.11) Jubilee Road – Parking Enforcement

The Chairman asked that an update be provided at the next meeting on whether further enforcement and use of the Camera Car had resulted in improved parking compliance along Jubilee Road.

ABE35.11DORSET FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE PRESENTATION

The Chairman welcomed Gaynor Mant and Phil Allen (Dorset Fire & Rescue Service- DFRS) to the Meeting to provide a presentation on the fire-setting preventative work that DFRS was undertaking with young people. The presentation covered the following areas:

(i)Arson and Fire Setting (background and current position);

(ii)Motivations;

(iii)National Perspective;

(iv)Dorset Fire & Rescue Service Strategy;

(v)Why do children set fires?

(vi)Intervention Programme;

(vii)Firesetter Advisers;

(viii)Positive Outcomes;

(ix)Safer People & Responsible Communities (SPARC) Project;

(x)Firefighter Cadet Scheme;

(xi)Princes Trust Team;

(xii)Dorset Statistics.

A discussion took place during which the following issues were noted:

  • There had been a sustained reduction in the number of deliberate fires across the Alderney and Branksome East & West Wards over the last 3-4 years;
  • Dorset Fire & Rescue Service (DF&RS) Crews made a judgement on whether a fire had been started intentionally or accidentallybased on what was witnessed at the time of the incident;
  • DF&RS sent information on the SPARC and the Fire-fighter Cadet courses to various referral agencies, although young people could also put themselves forward for the Cadet course, from which they could gain a BTEC qualification;
  • The current structure for SPARC courses had proven effective and attendees often contributed to their communities later on;
  • Improved communication between agencies meant that they were aware of individual young peoplewho might be at risk of fire-setting;
  • DF&RS sought to improve social well-being in the community through educating young people and youth diversion programmes where capacity permitted;
  • It was suggested consideration be given to extending some of the DF&RS programmes to incorporate volunteers noting that this approach would be encouraged under the Localism Act.

The following comments were made by members of the Area Committee:

  • Councillor Trent commented that the increased patrols by Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and Wardens were felt to have contributed towards the reduction in the number of deliberate fires and if patrols were cut back at any stage due to reduced resources, the situation could revert back to previous years.

The Area Committee was advised that DF&RS worked closely with the Safer Neighbourhood Teams to cover PCSO/ Warden arrangements and the reduction in the number of deliberate fires was felt to result from a combination of factors (e.g. increased awareness, education programmes, patrolling etc). It was also felt that if people were educated at a young age, punitive action was less likely to be needed.

  • Councillor Miss Wilson advised that she had attended some of the DF&RS courses and felt that as many people as possible should be informed of the excellent work that DF&RS was completing;
  • Councillor Rollo-Smith confirmed that the presentation had alerted the Area Committee to all of the very good work being completed by DFRS and was pleased to note there had been a significant reduction in deliberate fire-setting across the area in the last 3-4 years.

The Chairman thanked Gaynor Mant and Phil Allen for a very interesting and informative presentation.

ABE36.11 THE LOCALISM ACT 2011

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Mrs Judy Butt (Portfolio Holder for Public Engagement and Participation including the Localism Agenda and Borough of Poole Equalities Champion) to the Meeting to give a presentation on the Localism Act 2011.

The presentation covered the following areas:-

(i)A brief overview of the Localism Act 2011;

(ii)Summary of the four main areas of the Act:

  • New Freedoms and Flexibilities for Local Government;
  • New Rights and Powers for Communities;
  • Reform of the Planning System;
  • Reform of Social Housing.

(iii)How it impacted upon our Poole Communities.

Councillor Mrs Judy Butt advised that the Localism Act 2011 had been introduced into the House of Commons on 13th December 2010, assented in the House of Lords on 15th November 2011 and clarification as to content/delivery was anticipated during 2012. The Localism Act gave local authorities a general power of competence, which enabled them to do anything an individual could do, as long as this was not specifically prohibited.

The Area Committee noted that the Borough of Poole had taken the following action so far in respect of the Localism Act:

  • Cllr Mrs Butt was delivering this presentation to all 6 Area Committees and Residents/Community/Voluntary Groups;
  • The Borough of Poole was revisiting the Localism Act 2011 and the changes arising from this;
  • A Seminar/Training on the Localism Act 2011 had been provided for Councillors and Officers;
  • A public meeting was due to take place in March 2012 for information/guidance/brainstorming on the Localism Act;
  • The Senior Management Team (Chief Executive, Strategic Directors and Cabinet) had discussed the overview journey and impact of the White Paper/Bill/Act;
  • The Cabinet’s Community Engagement Working Party was considering how the Council would meaningfully engage with the public; the current platforms included Area Committees, Safer Neighbourhood Teams and Local Borough of Poole Groups, which in time would include members of the community;
  • The Borough was mapping all community/voluntary/residents groups in Poole, to see where the strengths and challenges lie; it was anticipated that groups would self-help and share support;
  • The Borough would facilitate and guide and “Hand Up not Hand Out”;
  • There were no delegated specific `Localism Act’ devolved budgets from Government;
  • All Poole residents were an information resource for the Borough of Poole and it would be important to glean best practice.

The Area Committee was advised that a current example of localism in practice, was the formation of a voluntary group comprising Ward Councillors, Councillor Mrs Butt (Portfolio Holder) and local residents,working together to provide a Christmas tree and lights for Ashley Road from Christmas 2012. The local community were fully engaged and committed to helping deliver this project.

Councillor Mrs Le Poidevin explained that the initial driver for the project had been to provide a Christmas tree for Ashley Road, although it was going wider than this now andthe group was now seeking to make Ashley Road more attractive as a shopping area. Councillor Mrs Le Poidevin added that there would also be a shop competition as part of this year’s Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations.

A discussion took place during which the following points were raised:

  • A resident enquired whether it was felt that Poole & Bournemouth Borough Councils might amalgamatenoting that Health Authorities provided complex services across a region.

Councillor Mrs Butt explained that Poole and Bournemouth Borough Councils were looking to work jointly where appropriate and Councils would need to evolve to become slicker and more effective.

Councillor Meachin added that Poole and Bournemouth Borough Councils were seeking to form a joint Health & Well-Being Board andthere could potentially be one Director of Public Health for the whole conurbation.

  • A resident noted that there were currently a large number of empty shops in Poole and asked how the Council was seeking to address this.

The Area Committee was advised that the Local Enterprise Partnership (a joint local authority body developed by the authorities themselves to promote economic development),was actively considering how to create good conditions for enterprise, with a view to ensuring that the empty shops were filled.

  • A resident enquired what steps the Council was taking to help local traders- for example- whether reduced business rates could be introduced.

Councillor Rollo-Smith explained that the Council was considering how it might structure a programme around commercial rates and it was working hard with private enterprise to develop a strong economy in the local area.

Councillor Trent added that under the Localism Act 2011, local authorities could have a greater say over the setting of business rates and it gave local authorities discretion over any business rate discounts, on the basis that they funded the cost of discounts.

  • A resident commented that the Localism Act 2011 could potentially benefitaffluent communities more,as they were often already well-served by local residents and enquired how the Council would ensure that all communities benefitted from the Act.

Councillor Mrs Butt advised that there was a need to ensure that all communities benefittedand it was important that the silent majority were also reached. Councillor Mrs Butt explained that there were community champions across Poole and the Bourne Valley Action Group (BVAG) was a localexample of best practice.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Mrs Butt for an excellent, informative presentation and confirmed that the Area Committee would be grateful to receive an update on progress at a future meeting.

ABE37.11 TREE WORK IN THE BOURNE VALLEY

Jez Martin, Nature Conservation Officer, presented a report on behalf of the Head of Leisure Services, which advised the Area Committee on the recent Tree Work undertaken in the Bourne Valley by Scottish and Southern Electric and possible means of addressing this in the future. The following key points were highlighted:

  • As a public body (as defined in Sections 262(1), (3) and (6) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) Scottish and Southern Electric had a legal responsibility to manage the wayleave under and by the side of their power lines and pylons. This was to ensure that trees and other vegetation did not compromise the safe supply of electricity and to prevent people from climbing pylons;
  • The present requirement was that, four years after work had been completed, there should still be three metres’ clearance;
  • Scottish and Southern Electric informed Natural England on 5th October 2011 of their intent to carry out work to clear trees from three power lines through the Bourne Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), from Dalling Road to Ringwood Road, a distance of just over 2 miles;
  • The Council had been liaising with Scottish and Southern Electric to manage the impact of this work on the sites and also from the issues of nature conservation and impact on the public;
  • The Council had asked if Scottish and Southern Electric could do a letter-drop in roads where the work would be the most visually intrusive to residents and in this case they had agreed to do letter-drops in two roads;
  • Meetings had taken place with residents, Councillors, a Council Officer and Scottish & Southern Electric to discuss the work carried out in St Brelades Avenue, as the letters had not fully indicated the scale of the work;
  • The Crime Prevention Officer would be visiting St Brelades Avenue to assess whether the works were felt to jeopardise security of homes(e.g. if large gaps in the trees or shrubbery were making properties easy to access or view) and their report would be provided to the Ward Councillors;
  • Scottish & Southern Electric had undertaken to give more information to residents and involve them in discussions about future planned works;

A discussion took place during which the following points were raised:

  • The Area Committee was advised that utility companies had legal rights to complete certain works, although the Council worked with them to try and take a co-ordinated approach, with a view to minimising disruption;
  • Willow Trees had been cut back significantly across the Alderney and Branksome East & West Wards because of the potential rate of re-growth;
  • A resident noted that shrubberyhad been cut-back significantly along sections of Alder Road creating large gapsin places, althoughit was explained that some shrubs had needed to be cut back,for the Willow Trees to be accessed;
  • Residents commented that the recent tree-cuttingwas felt to have been too drastic and that lopping the tops would have been more acceptable; it was noted, however, that Scottish & Southern Electric had indicated they were considering managing the routes of these power lines every two years, implying that less work would be required each time.

Councillor Meachin confirmed that local residents had concerns about how the project had been progressed, although Leisure Services and Ward Councillors had met with Southern & Scottish Electric and such works would be managed more effectively in the future. Councillor Meachin confirmed that Leisure Services had also worked hard to ensurethat residents’ concerns were fully taken on board.

Councillor Trent suggested that Southern & Scottish Electric needed to be more mindful of residents in relation to such works and to be aware of the need to work with the local community. Councillor Trent added that it was felt the quality of the works might have reduced as the project progressed and it was agreed that he would undertake site visits with Jez Martin to certain locations.

Councillor Rollo-Smith advised that the Chair of the Friends of Coy Pond had raised similar concerns about the works completed in the Coy Pond area and there was a need to consider the process of invigilation from the Boroughs’ perspective in respect of the tree-cutting. Councillor Rollo-Smith explained that he would contact the Borough’s Tree Officers to discuss the concerns raised.

The Chairman thanked Jez Martin for attending the Meeting and for all of his work regarding this project.

RESOLVED:

That the Report be noted.

(Post-Meeting Note:

Jez Martin had requested the Police to look at St Brelades Avenue in relation to how the tree work might have affected the area in relation to crime and the following report was provided by John Green, Crime Prevention Officer for Poole:

Both myself and my colleague have visited the Avenue this month (February) on separate occasions. Both of us feel that the effects of cutting back the trees and undergrowth has probably had a beneficial impact. Natural surveillance is increased which makes it more difficult for offenders to hide in the undergrowth. Paths and woodland have both been cleared to provide a better view, leaving again less obvious places to hide and giving a clearer view for honest users of the area.

Police Community Support Officer 5442 Cammell (from the local Safer Neighbourhood Team) also commented that he felt the cutting back had improved matters on the Avenue.