BOROUGH OF POOLE
BROADSTONE, MERLEY AND BEARWOOD AREA COMMITTEE
24TH NOVEMBER 2004
The meeting commenced at 7.00 p.m. and concluded at 9.30 p.m.
Members of Committee present:
Councillor Mason (Chairman)
Councillors Belcham, Brooke, Mrs Hives, Mrs James and Newell
Members of the public in attendance – 30
1.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Item 6, Whites Pit planning application – Councillor Belcham declared an interest as a Member of the Planning Committee and as Chairman of the Whites Pit Liaison Committee.
Item 6, Bearwood Primary School, parking problems – Councillor Mrs James declared an interest as a Governor of Bearwood Primary School.
Item 6, Fireworks/Fun Fair, Canford Park Arena – Councillor Mrs Hives declared an interest as a nearby resident, affected by the event.
Item 6, Speed limits, Bearwood – Councillor Brooke declared an interest as he lives in a similar road that may have implications should speed restrictions be imposed in Bearwood.
- MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 8th September 2004 were submitted for approval.
M.9, p.6 – with regard to the reference at the last meeting to the Disability Discrimination Act which the Council would shortly need to be compliant with, a resident stated that a number of public open space areas were still unable to be accessed by the public due to gates being locked/chained. A Member stated that this information had been forwarded to Leisure Services and they had now responded. He added that he felt it was now perhaps time to arrange a meeting between Leisure Services and the concerned resident. In order to progress this, it was suggested that the resident write to Councillor Mason, detailing his areas of concern, who would then seek to arrange a meeting to address this matter.
The minutes of the meeting held on 8th September 2004 were confirmed as a true record.
- BUDGET AND COUNCIL TAX 2005/6
The Chairman introduced Councillor Leverett, Leader of the Council, who was attending all of the Area Committees in this round, in order to consult on the budget and Council Tax for 2005/6. He commenced by referring to the five main priorities that the Council would be looking to deliver under “Striving for Excellence”, these included:-
- Supporting young people
- Vibrant economy
- Clean, green and safe
- Strong sense of community
- Health and wellbeing
Particular attention was drawn to:-
- The levels of Government funding
- Government expectations for schools and Social Services
- Contradictions in Government expectations for Council Tax
In relation to the Council’s financial standing, the Leader advised that Poole’s Council Tax increase in 2004/5 had been 5%, compared to the unitary average of 7.5%. In addition, there had been an improved reserve position in 2003/4 by £3.6M and it was likely that expenditure would be under-budget in 2004/5 in the region of £1.6M.
In relation to the Council’s financial standing, the Leader advised that this created opportunity to deliver priorities under the “Striving for Excellence” banner and these XL projects would be developed, included:-
- Full Sail Ahead
- Customers First
- Schools for the Future
- Performance Management
- Procurement
Further work was required to develop plans for the XL projects in order to bring about significant step changes and key area of needs included affordable housing and highways. In addition, through the budget strategy process, the following priorities would also be delivered:-
- Funding for “Striving for Excellence”
- Funding for key services (Schools, affordable housing, Social Services)
- Identify efficiency savings
- Sets an acceptable level of Council Tax
- Listen to the views of others
In conclusion, Councillor Leverett referred to the budget timetable which included consultation with all of the Area Committees, Residents’ Associations and businesses during October/November. The Government funding announcement was expected sometime during November and Council would then consider its budget options during December. Finally, the budget and Council Tax for 2005/6 would be set during February 2005.
A question and answer session then took place and there follows a summary of the key points raised:-
In response to a question regarding where the money from the sale of Council houses had gone, the Leader advised that only 25% of this could be used for capital purposes, with the remaining 75% being used to “pay off debts”.
In response to a further question regarding the public service pension scheme, the Leader advised that this was asset based. The Leader added that any concerns residents had regarding the public service pension scheme, needed to be forwarded to Central Government.
A resident questioned whether the figures being presented this evening were a result of delay in capital schemes. The Leader stated that there had been no deliberate delays and the Council were on target to deliver its capital programmes.
With regard to potential savings made by the Council, a resident questioned why the Council Taxpayers should not benefit from any such savings. The Leader advised that a complete assessment would be undertaken and if there was potential for any savings to be used to reduce the Council Tax increase then this would be considered. However, it was essential to assess the areas of need, regarding reserves and demands on expenditure.
The Chairman thanked the Leader of the Council for his interesting and informative presentation.
4.LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN – CONSULTATION
Chris Francombe, Transportation Services, gave a presentation on the Local Transport Plan Consultation Process, and explained that the Council were currently consulting in order to draft new strategic policies for the Local Transport Plan. This would cover the Christchurch/Bournemouth/Poole conurbation, together with surrounding areas. This plan would be effective from 2006 until 2011 and was aimed to provide good transport links for the Borough. Residents were being requested to look at the options detailed in the display at this evening’s meeting and complete a questionnaire.
A resident referred to a Council policy to reduce the use of the car and questioned whether a way to achieve this would be by charging staff to use the Civic Centre multi-storey car park. Chris Francombe, Transportation Services, stated that the actual Council Policy was to “encourage sensible car usage” and, with regard to the suggestion of charging staff to use the Civic Centre multi-storey car park, this had previously been considered by the Council and could be an option in the future.
A resident asked how this questionnaire compared with the published Regional Strategy. Chris Francombe, Transportation Services, advised that the Local Transport Plan was for the local conurbation and would set out a five year programme of what was intended for the conurbation. He added that this plan would be more detailed than the Regional Plan and would focus on the local conurbation, but would fit in with Regional and Sub-Regional strategies.
RECOMMENDED that the above be noted.
5.ARROWSMITH ROAD/GRAVEL HILL - JUNCTION
Steve Dean, Transportation Services, presented a report which considered the Traffic Panel’s recommendation that a right turn lane be marked at the junction, together with alternative suggestions put forward by members and local residents.
The Committee were advised that Traffic Panel, at its meeting on 9th June 2004, discussed the suggestion that the right turn movement out of Arrowsmith Road should be banned. On considering this matter, the Traffic Panel felt that banning this right turn would create problems as it would be difficult to physically prevent the movement, in addition, the unexpectedness of any illegal manoeuvres could also introduce a new hazard. Forcing vehicles to make U-turns at the Crematorium roundabout or to use the Magna Road exit from Arrowsmith Road, were not felt to be any safer than the current arrangements. However, Traffic Panel did feel that marking a right turning lane would be a beneficial feature in channelling vehicle paths at this junction.
A representative from the Arrowsmith Road Residents’ Association advised that Arrowsmith Road was used as a “rat run”, and vehicles travelled at excessive speeds along this road. Therefore, he would oppose the recommendation from Traffic Panel.
A resident questioned how many accidents had occurred at the Gravel Hill / Arrowsmith Road junction. Steve Dean, Transportation Services, advised that over the last seventeen years, six injury accidents had been recorded, none of which involved vehicles turning right out of Arrowsmith Road, and he confirmed that this site was not a “black spot”.
RECOMMENDED that:
(i)A right turn lane be marked in Gravel Hill at the Arrowsmith Road junction when the markings in this area are renewed; and
(ii)No change to the current turning movement be made at this junction.
6.ITEMS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS/RESIDENTS
(i)White’s Pit Planning Application
The Committee were advised that WH White Plc submitted a planning application to close construct skip and recycling facilities to be accessed from Magna Road and relief of Condition no.14 of the earlier planning permission to control use of the Control Centre building. The original application sought consent for skip recycling for a period of 23 years to tie in with the existing composting facilities at the site. Officers considered that any consent beyond the existing permitted life of the landfill site was note appropriate given the green belt location. Therefore, the application agreed to the application being deferred until the longer term use of the landfill site was agreed. Subsequently, planning consent was granted for the operation and restoration of the existing landfill site until 31st December 2010.
Following this grant of planning permission, the application agreed to amend the timescales of the recycling application to tie in with the agreed timescale for the operation of the landfill site. In order to allow the public the opportunity to comment on the revised proposals, all those who had previously commented, together with all other consultees, were advised of the revised details and invited to make representations. This consultation period had now expired, and the main issues raised related to the impact of extra traffic on Magna Road, together with the proximity of the skip recycling facility to Canford Park Arena.
In conclusion, the Committee were advised that the skip and recycling facility were due to be considered by the Planning Committee at its meeting on 16th December 2004.
Anybody wishing to discuss this matter further were advised to contact Sam Fox-Adams, Team Leader (Enforcement), Planning Design and Control Services on 01202 633356, or email: .
A resident stated that he had originally been a supporter of Canford Park Arena, largely due to the provision of leisure facilities for the Borough that they had actively promoted in the early days. He advised that he had concerns of the use of the road alongside the trim trail, as a haul road. He made reference to documents which referred to this site as a “beautiful area”, which he felt these proposals were in direct conflict to. He added that he had previously written to the Planning Committee expressing his objections to the use of this road to facilitate lorries.
The Chairman reiterated the earlier point made that this matter was due to the considered by the Planning Committee on 16th December 2004 and he added that regrettably, there was very little that this Committee could do other than raising awareness of the imminent Planning Committee, which he felt the Members had done.
RECOMMENDED that the update report be noted.
(ii)Speed limits, Bearwood
Councillors Belcham and Mrs James introduced this item stating that they had requested a report on this matter due to the concerns that had recently been expressed about vehicle speeds at a number of locations in the Bearwood area.
Steve Dean, Transportation Services, reminded Members that this Committee regularly received requests for measures to reduce vehicle speeds and he referred to the recent concerns that have been expressed about a number of locations in the Bearwood area. He advised that speed enforcement was a Police responsibility adding that their enforcement resources were very stretched and they could only attend any site on a very infrequent basis. Unfortunately, this was such a widespread concern that Police and Councils would only ever be able to introduce traffic calming measures or speed cameras at those locations where there was a consistent pattern of accidents. Members were reminded that this Committee had already heard a presentation from the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership who have previously explained the current Government guidelines that they have to operate within.
This Council was very active in emphasising the Government’s anti-speeding publicity locally and the message was also being spread by the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership. One element of this publicity that had been very well received was the “Travel Wise” signs that were placed around the Borough encouraging drivers to “slow down”. These signs were moved every month so that their message remained fresh in driver’s minds. Speeding was such a widespread concern throughout the Borough that there was quite a long waiting list for the signs. King John Avenue was scheduled for the signs within the next couple of months and Knights Road had also been added to the waiting list. Members/residents welcomed this.
In addition, there had also been long standing requests to reduce the speed in the Bearwood section of Magna Road. Current guidance emphasised the need for speed limits to be appropriate to the character of the road and any safety requirements, and also be imposed in a way that would be respected by drivers. The Committee were advised that new national guidance had now been received and this would shortly be analysed, towards all the Borough speed limits being reviewed. In view of the concerns expressed, Magna Road would be included in an early stage of the review.
RECOMMENDED that the above be noted.
(iii)King John Avenue/Magna Road – parking problems
Councillor Mrs Hives introduced this item by referring to the parking problems associated with a bungalow in Magna Road. She stated that the owner/occupier of the bungalow was advertising a business on the property fence and there was always a number of cars in the drive. It was suggested that double yellow lines in this area may help and it was agreed that this would be progressed through the Traffic Panel route.
RECOMMENDED that the above be noted.
(iv)Springdale First School Travel Plan/Traffic Calming and 20mph limit
Mrs Gillis, Headteacher, Springdale First School, referred to an earlier request for a raised platform for the crossing patrol in Lewesdon Drive. Steve Dean, Transportation Services, advised that regrettably, this was not able to be provided, however he hoped that a narrowing would be installed over the Christmas holiday period and it was hoped that this would alleviate some of the problems being experienced in this area. In addition, he added that 20mph zones were currently being considered by the Council outside the Borough’s schools and information regarding this would be reported back at a later date.
In response to a question regarding whether the area outside the school could be made a “free zone” between 8.00a.m. – 9.00a.m. for, school children/parents and residents only, Steve Dean, Transportation Services, advised that this could not be progressed, however, it was hoped that the narrowing works referred to earlier and also the potential 20mph zone would have the desired effect.
In conclusion, Steve Dean, Transportation Services, stated that the Springdale First School Travel Plan was one of the best Travel Plans in the area and he congratulated the Headteacher together with all of those involved in the development of this.
RECOMMENDED that the above be noted.
(v)Bearwood Primary School, parking problems
Mr Curtis, reported on problems being experienced outside Bearwood Primary School with vehicles parking inconsiderately and even on the grass verges. He added that there was plenty of parking space available in Barons Road, but parents dropping off/collecting their children from school did not use this space. A Ward Councillor stated that she had previously raised this and reported this to the Highway Safety officers. The Chairman stated that this was a problem experienced at most schools due to the behaviour of some parents when dropping off/collecting their children from school.
RECOMMENDED that the above be noted.
(vi)Lea Way/Wood Lane – Request for Conservation Area status
Councillor Mrs Hives referred to requests received from a number of residents for Lea Way/Wood Lane to be given Conservation Area status. She stated that she had had 11 letters and numerous phone calls supporting this request.
The Committee were reminded that Members had been asked previously for areas that they felt worthy of receiving Conservation Area status. It was now thought appropriate to seek to start the process to get this area included on the list.