LYTCHETT MINSTER & UPTON TOWN COUNCIL
A MEETING of the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE was held in the Council Chamber, 1 Moorland Parade, Moorland Way on TUESDAY the 25 February 2014 and commenced at 7:30pm.
PRESENT: Councillor R Griffin (in the Chair)
Councillor Mrs M Pryor
Councillor F Rickard
Councillor J Whippey
Councillor R Burns
Councillor P Rusling
Councillor M Dodds
Councillor J Porter
Councillor Mrs J M Richards (Chair of Council)
Councillor J C Small (V/Chair of Council)
Also in attendance: Mrs B Lake, Office Manager
366/13 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Apologies for absence were received from
Councillor P F Johns (PDC meeting)
Councillor F H Drane (PDC meeting)
Brian Cooper, Tree Warden
Karen Wright, Town Clerk
CLERKS REPORT:
a) Minute 24/12 Trailway South. Cllr Burns to report on the gate.
b) Minute 108/12 and Minute 219/12 Proposed Cycleway along Poole Road Options for improved entrance signs to the town. No further information. DCC have been requested to repaint existing white lines.
c) Minute 217/12 Funding application for Boardwalk at Lytchett Bay View. Quotations for Phase 2 of boardwalk are being sought.
d) Minute 345/12 Recycling Centre. No further information.
e) Minute 385/12 Road Issues. Cllr Drane to update on recent meeting regarding possible parking restrictions in Guest Road area.
f) Minute 430/12 Pathway Lighting at Clocktower. No further information.
g) Minute 26/13 Tree works at Pony Drive/Bridle Close. No further information.
h) Minute 72/13 Enhancement of Land Near Co-Op, Poole Road. See agenda item.
i) Minute 209/13 To update on sponsorship projects. No further information.
j) Minute 210/13 To discuss ‘flower bed issues – sustainable planting’. Cllr Small to update regarding parade fencing.
k) Minute 368/13 (d) SID Yarrells Lane – DCC stand by their original decision to remove the SID at this location; however will re-check whether there are any other suitable sites in the area.
368/13 CORRESPONDENCE:
a. Information on the Highway Revision of 2014/15 Provisional Construction Programme was received from DCC. The only deferred scheme in the Lytchett Minster & Upton area is the A35 at Slepe.
b. Notification of changes to the Navitus Bay Development boundary was received.
c. Notification was received of a proposal to extract sand and gravel from Wareham Forest behind Gore Heath to Sherford Bridge.
d. DCC have advised that as a result of new Health & Safety regulations relating to the deployment of SID units some sites around the county have been reviewed and deemed unacceptable for deployment. One such site is at Yarrells Lane, Upton. Members disagreed with this decision and a response will be sent advising that evidence from local residents and road users suggests that a SID is necessary at this location and should be retained.
e. A letter was received from Dorset Wildlife Trust advising that the Canford Estate came up for sale, which contains some internationally important wildlife sites that need urgent protection and asking for the support of the Town Council. A reply will be sent registering the interest of the Town Council and advising that as adjacent landowners they would welcome discussions, however no financial support should be offered.
f. Information on the major fares restructuring of bus services was received from First Dorset.
369/13 TO RESPOND TO DCC QUESTIONNAIRE ON ‘ON STREET PARKING, DISPLAY PARKING AND ENFORCEMENT:
The questionnaire on parking was received from DCC and made available to members on the website. After a brief discussion it was agreed that members supported the comments made by Cllr Griffin and these will be forwarded to DCC.
370/13 TO CONSIDER PROPOSAL FROM CAIP REGARDING THE LOCATION OF FUTURE RADIO BASE STATION:
The proposal from Caip is to make improvements to the existing digital network and to provide new LTE (4G) coverage to the surrounding area by using an existing telecommunications base station located on Highways Land at Blandford Road North. The committee had no objection to this proposal.
371/13 TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS WITH THE BRAZIER PROJECT:
Cllr Small gave a brief update on the progress of the project and will send a copy of the drawing to Tappers.
372/13 TO RECEIVE UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF THE IMPROVEMEMENTS TO THE DCC HIGHWAYS LAND OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, POOLE ROAD:
Cllr Griffin reported that Upton in Bloom had applied to the Turbary Trust for funding and their response was to request a metal seat be considered and the seat to be re-sited slightly. The re-siting of the seat would necessitate the paving slabs being removed. Quotes of approximately £1000 and £2000 have been obtained for improvements to the area depending on what is needed. The funding application to Turbary Trust will be re-submitted in May and application for funding
continued…………………….
372/13 TO RECEIVE UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF THE IMPROVEMEMENTS TO THE DCC HIGHWAYS LAND OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, POOLE ROAD:(Contd)
will also be made to the Co-op Community Fund. Cllr Griffin liaised with the Co-op regarding the
area at the side where cages are stored and it was suggested maybe this could be fenced off with a
gate. Cllr Small undertook to investigate this and Cllr Griffin will attempt to ascertain ownership of the forecourt of the shop and the garage forecourt. Cllr Griffin contacted BT about the condition of the telephone box. His request for a red phone box was refused, however the polycarbonate in the existing box has been replaced.
373/13 TO RECEIVE COMMITTEE FINANCIAL UPDATE:
The committee financial update was received and agreed.
374/13 REPORTS ON AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY FROM CHAMPIONS:
Roads and Pavements
Cllr P Rusling
The hole in the pavement along Moorland Way, near the junction with Guest Road, again needs repairing and this will be referred to DCC.
Waste and Recycling Report
Cllr P F Johns
None.
Street Furniture
Cllr Mrs M Pryor
The seat outside Gablehurst will be removed and replaced with the green metal seat from Lytchett Bay View. The memorial plaque from the existing seat will be transferred to the replacement seat.
Open Spaces
Lytchett Bay View
Cllr J Whippey
Upton in Bloom will fund a new seat for Lytchett Bay View and an order will be placed for a seat similar to the one already in situ.
The groundstaff will be asked to clear dead goat willow from the site.
Jubilee Garden
Cllr J Small
None.
St. Martins Park
Cllr J C Small
None.
Meadows Garden
Cllr Mrs J M Richards
None.
Open Access Issues
Cllr Mrs J M Richards
None.
Trees
Cllr J R Burns
None.
continued…………………….
374/13 REPORTS ON AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY FROM CHAMPIONS(Contd)
Overgrowing vegetation
Cllr F Rickard
Trees from land at Border Road are overhanging the footpath. It will be ascertained whether this is the responsibility of DCC before being referred to them for attention.
Lengthsman activities.
None.
375/13 HIGHWAY MATTERS:
Members noted the decrease in traffic through Upton during the current closure of Blandford Road South for sewer repairs. Cllr Griffin will draft a letter to DCC in respect of this.
376/13 RIGHTS OF WAY OFFICER’S REPORT:
I received an enquiry from the Chairman of Lytchett Manor Strollers on 4 February regarding a diversion of the bridleway that runs from Post Green towards Foxhills Lane. I checked the interactive map of Rights of Way, but this didn’t show any diversion. I then contacted Rights of Way department at Dorchester by e-mail but I got no response. I finally phone the Right of Way department, but nobody was able to give me any information. Eventually I visited the site of the diversion. It would appear that the diversion was set up by the contractors who are installing the Solar Farm, without consulting Dorset Rights of Way. I have passed this information to my enquirer.
377/13 TREE WARDEN’S REPORT:
See attached list, Appendix A.
378/13 ITEMS OF REPORT AND MATTERS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS:
a) An item ‘To discussion the installation of dragons teeth’ will be included on the Agenda of the next Environment Committee meeting.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.40 pm
Chairman…………………………………..
Date………………………………………..