BOROUGH OF POOLE
CANFORD HEATH EAST AND WEST, CREEKMOOR AND OAKDALE AREA COMMITTEE
26 NOVEMBER 2008
The Meeting commenced at 7pm and concluded at 8.50pm.
Present:
Councillor Mrs Moore (Chairman)
Councillors Adams, Burden, Curtis, Gillard, Matthews and Mrs Walton.
Councillor B R Leverett, Leader of the Council.
Also present:
Steve Dean, Transportation Services
Pam Papani, Legal and Democratic Services
Members of the Public present: 17
CHE23.08APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Allen, Mrs Butt and Rampton.
CHE24.08DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
CHE25.08MINUTES
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Canford Heath East and West, Creekmoor and Oakdale Area Committee held on 10 September 2008 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
CHE26.08BUDGET AND COUNCIL TAX 2009/10
The Chairman introduced Councillor Brian Leverett, the Leader of the Council who gave a short presentation on the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2009/12 including the Budget for 2009/10. Before giving his presentation, the Leader highlighted various recent events which he felt were important and should be highlighted as part of the forthcoming deliberations on the Medium Term Financial Plan.
These related to: -
(a)The Pension Scheme – this had to be a fully funded Scheme and was linked to equities. Recent problems due to the Economic Climate might have an effect on this but a recent meeting with the Actuary meant that at the present time there was no need to make further contributions to the Fund. However, a further Meeting with the Actuary was planned in December 2008.
(b)With regard to recent reports on money held in Iceland Banks, he stated that Poole was not affected. The Council’s money was on deposit in the highest rated Financial Institutions and he stated that if the Council decided to move its money to, say, the Treasury this would mean a loss of around £400,000 in interest. However, the drop in interest rates would have little effect on the Council Tax at the present time. Whilst there were no guarantees, it was hoped that there would be no overspend on the Budget this year.
Councillor Leverett then explained that as part of the Council’s Constitution process the importance of the Medium Term Financial Plan was that it supported Members to plan ahead effectively, make choices, deliver the Council’s Corporate Strategy and Monitor.
There were good foundations for good management of the Budget and in the current year there was likely to be savings against revenue budget. The Council Tax was below the national average and reserves were adequate and were supporting service improvements. Net Budget 2008/09 was £90,902M – financed by Council Tax - £64,799M and Government Grant - £26,103M.
The Meeting was advised of Future Plans such as: -
Recognising that financial stability was an important element of maintaining and improving service performance.
An understanding that Council Tax needed to be set at a reasonable level in terms of the level of services received by residents and the amount of tax Council Tax payers were asked to pay.
The Medium Term Financial Plan indicated Council Tax rises of 5% to address service and cost increases which may be necessary without greater increases in Government funding.
The future outlook was unclear but the three year Government funding settlement was:-
2008/09 - 2% increase £512,000
2009/10 - 1.8% increase £456,000
2010/11 - 1.5% increase £398,000
2011/12 - 1% increase ???
Currently only 29% of the Council’s net budget was funded by Government Grant compared to an average for the rest of England of 53%.
The Leader stated that major growth items in 2009/10 were:-
Employee Costs - £2.3M
Inflationary increases - £3.1M
Service pressures (income reduction/increased service volume) - £3.1M
Social Services (demographic growth/increase in higher dependency/above inflation costs) - £2.1M
Environmental, including waste (increase landfill tax/off site incineration) - £1.1M
Transportation (increased fuel and energy costs - £0.9M
In bridging the gap it was reported that:-
Forecast funding gap was
2009/10 - £2.3M
2010/11 - £2.9M
2011/12 - £2.5\M
Councillors and Senior Management Team were reviewing options £2.1M of reductions had already been identified.
Difficult decisions were needed taking account of the current economic situation.
Finally, the Meeting was advised of the major Projects which included Town Centre Regeneration, Schools for the Future, Maintenance (Pride in Poole), Transport, Affordable Housing, Material recycling facility and taking current economic situation into account.
The Leader concluded by stating that his Presentation regrettably represented the ‘same old story’ in that the Council was faced with funding constraints and increased costs at a time when both efficiencies and savings were also required.
Residents raised the following points:-
(a) Was there any progress on the Town Centre Regeneration Programme?
Councillor Leverett explained that the Council was looking at obtaining Government funding for the Bridge that would stimulate the economy and create jobs. It was important to look after jobs. He referred to the effect that the current economic climate was having generally, with major developers waiting to see which way things would go, and banks not lending. He hoped that there would not be too much delay.
(b)What were the plans to refurbish the Bus Station in Poole and was the Wilts and Dorset Bus Company pro-active in this matter.
Councillor Leverett explained that the Borough of Poole, Wilts and Dorset and Grosvenor (owners of the Dolphin Centre) would all be involved with the project.
There being no further questions, the Chairman thanked the Leader of the Council for his informative presentation. Councillor Leverett left the Meeting.
CHE27.08HARWELL ROAD POOLE – OBJECTIONS TO TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS
Steve Dean, Transportation Services reported that objections had been received to this proposal. Yellow lines had been requested by two industrialists who were concerned about safety in the area and difficulties that were caused to delivery vehicles. The proposed restrictions had been advertised to cover the eastern side of Harwell Road and across the accesses at the western side.
The proposal had been advertised in May 2008 but the Committee, at its Meeting on 11 June 2008 had deferred a decision to enable to give further consideration to the matter. The representations were again discussed by the Committee at its Meeting on 10 September 2008 at which time representations were heard from a parent with children at a school in Leeroyd Road opposing the proposed yellow lines and the matter was again deferred to allow Members to visit the site for themselves.
Since the September Meeting, representations had been received from one of the originators of the request and the Nuffield Industrial Estates Association had also collated views from the commercial operators in the area. These representations were summarised in the Appendix to the Report.
The proposals aimed to try to find a balance between keeping access clear for the commercial premises in the industrial estate and accommodating parking wherever possible without obstructing access.
There was no footway on the eastern side of Harwell Road and it was not ideal for parents to park there, particularly as it blocked access for lorries. Parking was generally available in limited waiting bays along the northern side of Harwell Road where there was a footway for children to disembark onto.
There was a discussion about the issues and a representative of one of the firms that had requested the restrictions indicated that the main problem was that large vehicles had difficulties using their access. Steve Dean, Transportation Services indicated that the Council had no responsibility to protect accesses and it would be difficult to justify applying restrictions to this access when other accesses along the road operated satisfactorily and there were objections to the parking restrictions. The industrialists could widen their access if they were experiencing regular problems. It was felt that the funds would be better spent on barriers to stop the children running out onto the road from the path.
RESOLVED that the Traffic Regulation Orderto imposeyellow linesin Harwell Roadbe not proceeded with.
CHE28.08CAVAN CRESCENT - PETITION
Steve Dean, Transportation Services presented the response to the recent consultation on residents’ requests for Waiting Restrictions in Cavan Crescent.
The consultation exercise had been approved by the Committee at it’s Meeting on 10 September 2008 (Minute CHE19.08 refers) and it was agreed that all residents of Cavan Crescent should be consulted. Accordingly, a letter had been sent on 31 October 2008 outlining three options:-
(a)Double yellow lines on both sides of the road at the corners;
(b)Double yellow lines on the even side of the road at the corners: and
(c)Leave the road as it is.
Twenty six out of fifty four (48% of householders) responded and of these 3 (12%) were for Option A, 2 (8%) were for Option B, 19 (73%) were for Option C and 2 (85) were incomplete.
Six respondents had requested a one-way system. This had been previously considered in March 2003 and September 2008. It was noted that one-way systems on this type of road were regularly abused at off-peak times and that vehicles were often driven faster on one-way streets.
Additionally, signing a one-way system would require illuminated no entry signs at one end, illuminated advisory one-way arrows and signs at any junctions and significant accesses. The signing and legal work associated with introducing a one-way street would be around £5,000. A kerb extension would also be required at the junction with Marshall Road to add impact to the restriction. This would cost approximately £7,000 in addition to the signs. The Committee did not have access to this level of funding.
RESOLVED unanimously that Option C (Leave the Road as it is) be adopted.
CHE29.08TRAFFIC PANEL – KELLY CLOSE
It was noted from this information item that the Traffic Panel had met on 17 September 2008 and considered Kelly Close – parking problems and Warburton Road – request for waiting restrictions. The Traffic Panel Minutes were Appended to the Report.
Councillor Mrs Moore had requested that the Committee discuss Kelly Close and asked that double yellow lines be installed at the entrance to Kelly Close from Mitchell Road. Leaving Kelly Close was difficult and yellow lines would protect the entrance to the Close. There were 131 houses with 72 parking places.
Mr Mason, resident of Kelly Close stated that the hedges at No. 1 were enormous and impaired visibility. Steve Dean, Transportation Services, agreed to look into this.
RESOLVED that the request to impose double yellow lines for the standard 15m at the Kelly Close/Mitchell Road junction be supported.
CHE30.08OPEN FORUM
Mr Goodall complained that the hiring of Beach Hut No.114, Sandbanks to Bournemouth University had caused noise and disruption to the users of No.113. The University had used the Beach Hut as a classroom, put 26 chairs outside and held a quiz for one and a half hours. Councillor Adams stated that Beach Huts were available for hire to individuals, groups and organisations. He would speak to the appropriate officers to find out the terms of hire.
Mrs Caulshaw, resident of Verity Crescent said that she and other local residents were concerned about the condition of the bushes and shrubbery on Council owned land at the entrance to Verity Crescent from Adastral Road, close to the post box. There had been an ugly incident where a biker had nearly hit a child. The child had no clear view of Verity Crescent up to Adastral Road. Mrs Caulshaw said that the matter had been reported to Leisure Services. Mr Corby, local resident said that the growth had been removed three or four years ago but had re-grown.
Councillor Mrs Moore indicated that she would confer with Steve Dean, Transportation Services.