BOROUGH OF POOLE

MINUTES OF BROADSTONE, MERLEY AND BEARWOOD AREA COMMITTEE

12TH NOVEMBER 2003

The meeting commenced at 7.00 p.m and closed at 9.25 p.m.

Members of Committee present:

Councillor Brooke (Chairman)

Councillors Belcham, Mrs Hives, Mrs James and Newell

Members of the public in attendance:- 48

Also attending:-

Councillor Leverett (Leader of the Council)

Officers in attendance:-

Alan Barlow – Policy Director

Bob Jackson – Head of Legal Services

Martin Baker – Transportation Services

Pat Garrett – Project Manager (Dorset Safety Camera Partnership)

Shaun Robson– Consumer Protection Services

Lee Baron – Democratic Services

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mason.

  1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Brooke – M.8(a) - Traffic Panel, Lower Blandford Road/Portmore Close – as he lives near to the proposed waiting restrictions and M – Merley First School, parking problems – as a School Governor at Merley First School.

Councillor Mrs Hives – M.6 – events at Canford Park Arena – as a resident potentially affected by noise emanating from the site.

  1. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 17th September 2003, were submitted for approval.

M7 (i), P6-3rd Paragraph amend “half heartedly” to read “whole-heartedly”.

M7 (i), P6- 4th Paragraph amend “vastly” to read “quickly”.

M4 (a), P3- amend “Sopworth” to read “Sopwith”.

The Chairman announced that the special meeting of this Area Committee in order to consider Footpath No.5 would now be taking place on Wednesday 10th December 2003, commencing at 5.30 p.m at Broadstone Middle School.

Subject to the above amendments, the Minutes of the meeting were confirmed as a true record.

  1. BUDGET AND COUNCIL TAX FOR 2004/05

The Chairman stated that he was pleased to be able to introduce Councillor Leverett, Leader of the Council, to this meeting and invited him to give his presentation.

Councillor Leverett commenced by stating that this evening was part of a quite widescale consultation process on the Council’s budget which looked for savings to reduce the level of Council Tax increase. He stated that the Council were now looking towards a four-year Medium Term Financial Plan.

The Leader then referred to the Council’s five priorities, which were to:-

  • Provide young people with the best possible start in life
  • Maintain a mixed economy
  • Foster a pride in Poole
  • Encourage true community spirit
  • Promote the health and the well-being of all residents

The Council had identified savings of £1M from last year. New investment opportunities would be available from savings such as reduced fixed costs and rates on leisure centres. However, along side this, the demand for services was increasing and in particular, with regard to the disposal of waste which meant there would be an increase in the landfill tax.

The Leader informed residents that monthly reports were now being received from the various Portfolio Holders regarding the financial monitoring of all areas which he felt was a useful improvement in order to monitor the various Council budgets. He stated that it was hoped that these new procedures put in place would enable any potential problem areas to be identified at an early stage.

The Council had launched a fair funding campaign in which Councillors, Headteachers and Governors had lobbied the Government for more funding for education. However, the expectations for 2004/05 were not high. The Leader explained that the majority of the Council’s funding came from Government allocation and he referred to the unfair system of allocation which he directed resources away from the South of England, in favour of the North and the Midlands which meant that Council Tax bands in the South faced significant rises as a result.

Other financial challenges facing the Council included employee costs, the employer’s contribution to employee’s pensions and annual pay increases. In addition, new laws/regulations regarding licensing would also have a significant financial impact. The Council would shortly be facing tough decisions regarding increasing the Council Tax in order to protect good services, or to make cuts in services where demands and cost pressures increased faster than the Government’s share of grant support, or to increase income through fees and charges (car parking, etc.).

The Leader detailed how local residents were being consulted on such issues, and advised that the Cabinet would be considering budget options in December and the Council Tax for 2004/05 would be set at the meeting of full Council on 19th February 2004, by this time, the results of consultation and the Government funding announcement would be known.

The Chairman thanked the Leader for his presentation and invited questions from the floor. Here follows a summary of the key points raised:-

  • Council Tax for second homes – Government have now amended the Council Tax legislation so that Local Authorities now have some discretion regarding the setting of discount for these properties.
  • Adult Education Provision, budget implications – conscious effort made to contain savings this year, however there would be a need to look at provision at a later date.
  • Information regarding the Police and Fire precepts detailed to the Group
  • Concerns expressed over Local Government Pensions (added years)

The Chairman concluded by thanking the Leader of the Council for his interesting and informative presentation.

  1. SPEEDING TRAFFIC

(i)Dorset Safety Camera Partnership

Mr Pat Garrett, Project Manager – Dorset Safety Camera Partnership presented a report which updated Members on progress made during the first full year of operating the cost recovery arrangements.

The Committee were advised that the Council’s Transportation Strategy sought to achieve a reduction in injury collisions on Poole’s roads by pursuing a co-ordinated package of measures, an element of which would be via speed and red light camera enforcement. Reference was then made by the national targets set by Government, to reduce fatal and serious injury accidents by 40% by 2010 and child casualties by 50% over the same period. National research indicated that a reduction in the speed of 1MPH could reduce casualties by up to 5%. Therefore, speed and red light camera enforcement was a proven method of helping to achieve the strategic aims of reducing death and serious injuries on Poole’s roads as well as reducing pressures on the emergency services and local hospitals.

In Dorset, the process began in January 2001 with a Steering Group being established to progress the initiative in this area. This was a partnership approach involving the Borough of Poole, Bournemouth Borough Council, Dorset County Council, the Highways Agency, Dorset Police, Dorset and Somerset Strategic Health Authority, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Dorset Magistrates Courts. In addition, an operational group had also been set up to prepare and submit the annual operation case to the DFT.

The Dorset Safety Partnership was given approval by the DFT in May 2002, to recover fine revenue with effect from August 2002. As a result of this, the partnership had been implementing the first stage of the campaign to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads by introducing, when available, the resources needed to increase enforcement in those areas identified as speed or traffic light violation and collision hotspots. Cameras were only permitted on roads with a proven road injury problem, where there was a history of speed related collisions or red light jumping.

Members were advised that although local surveys indicated the majority of people were in favour of safety cameras, it was widely recognised that there had been considerable opposition to additional safety cameras by certain sections of the driving public as well as certain motoring organisations, as they were perceived to be purely a method of victimising law abiding drivers and generating revenue for the Police. However, against this, it was noted that the vast majority of letters and telephone complaints received by Transportation Services and the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership were from Members of the public who were concerned about speeding on their roads and were concerned about the safety of their children and families and who were seeking additional enforcement to deal with these problems.

Pat Garrett, Project Manger – Dorset Safety Cameras Partnership, concluded by referring to the following Web Site which he felt Members/residents may find useful:

The Chairman thanked Pat Garrett, Project Manager – Dorset Safety Camera Partnership, for his interesting and informative presentation.

(ii)Speeding problems – various roads

  • Merley Park Road

Mrs Luisi addressed the Committee by stating that she was pleading for some action to address both the speed of traffic in Merley Park Road together with the extensive use of this road by HGV’s. She handed to her Ward Councillors, a list that she had recorded of HGV’s who had used this road with large containers. She added that a number of these companies who she had approached had stated that they would be happy not to use this road if there was a HGV ban.

Steve Dean, Transportation Services, stated that this matter had been discussed in some detail at previous meetings of this Area Committee. He added that surveys had previously been undertaken by Transportation Services in order to monitor the use of this road by HGV’s and the results of these surveys regrettably did not meet any of the Council’s set criteria for such a lorry ban. He added that previous reports to this Committee had set out all the financial implications which clearly indicated that it would not be economical for this Committee to fund such works. The Chairman questioned whether there were any other budgets controlled by the Council that could fund such works. Steve Dean, Transportation Services, advised that the Council’s capital budget for such works would always be aimed at danger areas.

Given the severity of the concerns expressed by Mrs Luisi, Members felt that it would be beneficial to re-visit this matter and it was therefore suggested that a further report be submitted to the next meeting of this Area Committee giving the cost implications of the various options available to address the problems being experienced in Merley Park Road.

This was AGREED.

  • Wentworth Drive

Councillor Newell referred to the complaint that had been forwarded to him from a resident of Homecroft House regarding vehicles speeding in Wentworth Drive, from the Golf Club. It was suggested that this matter be forwarded to the Transportation Advisory Group for consideration with their recommendation being reported back to is Area Committee.

A resident stated that it would assist the situation if the hedge in Homecorfe House was lowered. Officers undertook to contact Homecorfe House with regard to this.

This was AGREED.

  • Springdale Road

Mr Noyes referred to a petition, signed by 137 local residents, that had been submitted to the Council concerning problems being experienced with speeding vehicles in Springdale Road.

A resident stated that recent monitoring by the Police had indicated that the average speed measured in the road was 37mph. The speed limit being 30mph.

A discussion then took place on the various methods that could assist in slowing the traffic down in Springdale Road, these included reminder signs, mobile cameras, leaving cars parked in the road.

Pat Garrett, Project Manager – Dorset Safety Camera Partnership, stated that it was important to attempt to change the attitude of drivers regarding speeding and he made reference to the fact that drivers now tended to always wear their seat belts which had proved to be a significant change in attitude from 5/6 years ago. If this could be achieved with regard to speeding, this would be an extremely positive move.

It was AGREED that the Springdale Road petition be presented to the Transportation Advisory Group at its December meeting.

  1. EVENTS AT CANFORD PARK ARENA – ACCEPTABLE NOISE LEVELS/FLYPOSTING

Shaun Robson, Consumer Protection Manager, reported on the “Vs” Music Festival that took place at Canford Park Arena on 12th-14th September 2003. He advised that on the Friday (12th) the music was primarily 60’s, with dance events taking place on both the Saturday and Sunday (13th and 14th). He added that officers from Consumer Protection Services were on and off site during the course of the event monitoring the noise.

Members were advised that on the Friday (12th) no complaints were received during the course of the event, on the Saturday (13th) 13 complaints were received while the event was happening and on the Sunday (14th), no complaints were received during the course of the event. Following the 3 day event, a further 12 complaints were received, making a total of 25 complaints for the whole 3 day event.

Members were advised that with regard to noise nuisance, the acceptable limit of 65Db was not exceeded at any property during a 15 minute period. However, the level of noise nuisance at Moortown Drive did cause concerns for the Monitoring Officers and as a result of this, the sound levels were reduced.

Following this event, it was intended to hold a “wash-up” meeting which would address all issues/problems associated with the event. It was also intended to involve an acoustics consultant in order to address the problems experienced and their lessons for future events. However, it was stressed that as yet, no application had been received for a repeat event.

A resident from Moortown Farmhouse stated that during the dance music events, the “base” sound was pulsating in the house so much so that they could no hear their own TV, even with the doors and windows closed. The Committee were advised that when the Monitoring Officers visited the property they agreed that there was a problem and the Manager of the event had even attended and had subsequently attempted to reduce the base.

Shaun Robson, Consumer Protection Manager advised that regrettably, in monitoring acceptable noise limits, there was no level set for the control of the “base” sound. However, following the recent event, it was apparent that the sound system used was not acceptable and this matter would be addressed.

Residents were assured that each application would be treated on its merit and, if objections were received, would have to then satisfy the Licensing Panel process, before any Public Entertainment Licence would be granted.

In response to a number of residents’ concerns regarding the large number of flyposters that appeared throughout the Borough advertising this event, Shaun Robson, Consumer Protection Manager, advised that Transportation Services were the Unit responsible for enforcing flyposting and he added that a meeting had been arranged for this Friday in order to address this problem. He added that regrettably, there was not an option to control flyposting through the licensing conditions.

A resident questioned what the purpose of the large signs (“A”/ “B”/”C”) surrounding the site was. Shaun Robson, Consumer Protection Manager, confirmed that these were permanent signs as then indicated the access points for emergency vehicles.

RECOMMENDED that the report of Shaun Robson, Consumer Protection Manager be noted and that the wash-up meetings being arranged address the various concerns raised by local residents.

  1. DRAFT PLAYING PITCH STRATEGY

The Chairman advised that a meeting would shortly be arranged with all interested Sports Clubs in order to discuss the Playing Pitch Strategy. He added that Broadstone FC were more than happy with this arrangement and they would also be consulted directly. Matti Raudsepp (Open Spaces Manager) did not feel that the Area Committee would want to hear all the details and he also added that Members would of course be involved in this process through the Environment Overview Group when they considered the report which would be based on all of the consultation undertaken.

RECOMMENDED that the above be noted.

  1. TRANSPORTATION ISSUES

(a)Traffic Panel – Lower Blandford Road/Portmore Close

For information only, Steve Dean, Transportation Services, presented the decisions from the Traffic Panel meeting held on 9th September 2003, relevant to this Area Committee.

RECOMMENDED that the Traffic Panel recommendation to impose double yellow lines be noted and that the decision that no action be taken with regard to measures to prevent parking in Portmore Close also be noted.

(b)Canford Heath Road – Traffic lights

Councillor Newell referred to problems that were being experienced (affecting Darbys Corner) with the traffic lights in Canford Heath Road. It was noted that this area was under the jurisdiction of this Area Committee and therefore Steve Dean, Transportation Services, undertook to pass this matter on to the Canford Heath East and West, Creekmoor and Oakdale Area Committee.

RECOMMENDED that the above be noted.

(c)Gravel Hill – 40 mph sign

Councillor Brooke referred to problems associated with the position of the 40mph sign in Gravel Hill. He added that the current position of this sign was affecting the quality of life of local residents and he suggested that if this sign could be moved approximately 800 metres towards the other side of Dunyeats Road (near the Crematorium roundabout), this would aid greatly.