BOROUGH OF POOLE

PLANNING OBLIGATIONS FUND (RECREATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS) SUB-GROUP

2ND MARCH 2006

The meeting commenced at 2:00pm and finished at 3:50pm.

Present:

Councillor Gillard (Chairman)

Councillors Adams, Allen, White and Wilson.

1.MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 1st December 2005, having been previously circulated, were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

2.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Adams declared a prejudicial interest in M.3(b) as a person living close to Harbourside Park.

3.SCHEMES FOR CONSIDERATION

(a)Improvements to Play/Youth Provision at Arne Avenue

The Chairman welcomed Mike Garrity to the Meeting who gave a short explanation on the possibilities of spending Ward based funds in other Wards.

He explained that, whilst funds were divided up amongst Wards, this was a pragmatic and practical way of creating local pots to meet local needs. It was therefore possible to transfer funds between Wards, but such a proposal would still need to demonstrate that the funds were being spent on something appropriate to serve a particular development and there must be evidence to support this. The approach being proposed in respect of the improvements to play and youth provision at Arne Avenue was acceptable and there were no problems in justifying this position. He also felt that the Youth Centre would attract young people from a wider area, especially in view of the fact that a crèche was available at the Centre. He also highlighted the fact that social deprivation was also a reason for agreeing this proposal and it fitted well with Council objectives.

Matti Raudsepp reported that this was indeed an area which needed special attention and the problem in the past had been to find a suitable site for play/youth provision. Other sites had been considered, such as the zig-zags, but these were not really suitable in view of the proximity to nearby properties. The idea had come forward for the Youth Centre site to be used. Any noise could be contained as there were not many houses nearby and football was already played at the Centre. There was a real need for the ball court to be refurbished, as it was well past its design life.

The proposal had been discussed with the Youth Centre Manager and colleagues in Youth Services which had resulted in proposals to move the ball court to the front of the building. This, coupled with changes to the Youth Centre building would mean that access could be better controlled for the Youth Club, and for the Toddlers Groups which were held there every day. The Scheme also involved the provision of an open access, inclusive play area, seating and better use of the space around the Centre, whilst still allowing some car parking.

He stated that a new play area had been long awaited in the Arne Avenue area, as there was no such facilities locally. Along with an improved facility for older children to play ball games, and the suitability of the Youth Centre as a location, it was anticipated that this Project would make a real difference to the lives of local families.

In order to deliver this Project, a package of funding had been identified, involving contributions from both Alderney and Newtown Wards. It was considered that the improvements to facilities would benefit residents from both Wards, justifying the joint approach to tackling the differences in Arne Avenue. A contribution of £10,000 was also being made by the Youth Centre.

The Chairman stated that John Nash, Policy Director, had seen the Report which had been prepared for this Meeting and had made the following comments:

“The area around Arne Avenue had been identified as having the highest deprivation figures of any Super Output Area in the Borough. All indicators, whether related to child health, education, or crime and disorder, had demonstrated the need for consistent and effective interventions to divert young people away from poor behaviour, poor school attendance and ill health that was attendant on drug use and poor diet into constructive, healthy activities. As the Report stated, the Scheme was in tune with the Open Spaces Strategy.

The Scheme would also be in tune with the Local Area Agreement and would give real physical evidence of the Council’s commitment to try to improve the life chances of children and young people in the most deprived parts of the town. There was another reason that this was good use of capital funds. Improvements to the facilities would not bring attendant revenue costs because the space was already managed by the Youth Service. It was his view that this was an excellent proposal and wonderful opportunity for the Council to demonstrate that Service Units and Councillors could come together to meet the needs of the most deprived and vulnerable children in the Borough. This view was shared by colleagues attempting to bring children and young people’s services together in a coherent fashion.”

Councillor Adams welcomed the Scheme but stated that there seemed to be an imbalance of distribution of funds generally but did not go to areas which needed facilities. The concept of collaborative work between Wards was a really good idea and Councillors should be congratulated for working together. However, he felt that future schemes and the unevenness of funding should be considered in more detail.

Councillor Allen stated that in the past there had been a budget for the provision of play facilities in addition to the Section 106 Funding and this would have provided facilities where Section 106 funding was not available.

The Chairman agreed that there was a need to look at the distribution of funds as some areas could not generate Section 106 monies and there was a need to vire funding to some Wards that had none available.

Mike Garrity responded by stating that joint working between Wards was already available and complied with the current guidelines. However, there was no ability to swap between say, Canford Cliffs and Oakdale which was some distance away, unless there was a strategic need. A flexible approach between adjoining Wards was often pursued.

Councillor Wilson stated that there was a need to also consider the “split” between the different funds and if at all possible increase the percentages to say, Upton Country Park etc, to give more of an incentive to the Borough-wide fund. He also felt that “Interest” payable from the money received should be ring-fenced.

Matti Raudsepp stated that where there was any uncertainty Strategic Planning Services were consulted on funding issues. This process would continue until any alterations to the Policy were made.

RECOMMENDED that this Sub-Group:

(i)allocates a budget of £120,000 to fund improvements in play/youth provision at Bourne Valley Youth Centre;

(ii)funding will be provided as follows:

  • Alderney equipped children’s play - £24,000
  • Newtown equipped children’s play - £30,000
  • Alderney casual play and amenity open space - £66,0000

(iii)The collaborative work between Wards is welcomed and the Portfolio Holder be asked to consider ways of working together across borders, between Wards to benefit areas of the Borough that do not currently have any funds.

(iv)The Portfolio Holder be asked to investigate the possibility of ring fencing “Interest”;

(v)The Portfolio Holder be asked to consider reinstating a separate budget for the provision of play areas other than through the Section 106 process.

For:Unanimous

(b)Harbourside Management Plan

The Meeting considered the Report of the Head of Leisure Services on the allocation of Planning Obligations Funding to deliver a number of priorities in the adopted Harbourside Management Plan. The Harbourside Park Management Plan put forward a range of improvement proposals that were thought to be required, set priorities and indicated the resources that were likely to be needed to deliver them. The emphasis had been on pragmatism, because there was little point in proposing major changes (whether reinvestment, or completely new facilities) could not realistically be funded, or that would be so controversial that no progress could be made with implementation. Examples of what were considered to be acceptable proposals included:

  • infrastructure – e.g. major improvements to the “circulation” system of the Park (i.e. new footpath and cycleway links)
  • Recreational facilities – e.g. replacement and updating of the aging children’s play equipment at Whitecliff, together with improved facilities for younger children and those with disabilities.
  • Operational facilities, e.g., refurbishment, or (quite possibly) complete replacement, of the existing Sports Pavilion and toilets at Whitecliff, which might be nearing the end of their useful design life.
  • Natural features – e.g., landscape improvements, levelling of settlement.

It was proposed that an allocation be made for initial fees to carry out a Condition Survey, investigation and reporting on the options for the existing Sports Pavilion and toilets at Whitecliff. It was also proposed to construct new “shared surface” footpath/cycleway links between Baiter (Catalina Drive) and the Promenade (adjacent to the sluice) and between the Promenade and Whitecliff Road (the keyhole bridge).

Councillor Allen stated that he was not in favour of a shared use facility and that these should be merely available for cyclists. He also felt that this should be considered by the appropriate Area Committee.

Mike Childs stated that there were substantial amounts of Planning Obligations Contributions in the nearest Ward (Poole Town, Parkstone and Penn Hill). There was currently £220,000 available in Poole Town Ward, £438,000 in Parkstone Ward and £227,000 in Penn Hill Ward. The recommended expenditure items allowed for work on two of the Management Plan proposals that were felt to be most achievable within the current year. The Survey and investigation in connection with the Pavilion was required to inform subsequent decisions and budgeting for the future of this building.

Members felt that funding should be made available for these proposals from the Penn Hill Ward and Officers agreed to amend the split accordingly.

RECOMMENDED that this Sub-Group:

(i)notes the adoption of the Harbourside Park Management Plan by the Council, and recognises its value as a vehicle to bring forward bids for Planning Obligations Funding;

(ii)approves the allocation of £5,000 from Parkstone Ward (Casual Play and Amenity Open Space) for initial fees to carry out a Condition Survey, investigation and reporting on the options for the existing Sports Pavilion and toilets at Whitecliff;

(iii)subject to consideration by the Area Committee approval be given to the allocation of £85,000 (to be split between Poole Town, Penn Hill and Parkstone Wards Casual Play and Amenity Open Space) (40%/40%/20%) to construct new “shared surface” footpath/cycleway links between Baiter (Catalina Drive) and the promenade (adjacent to the sluice) and between the Promenade and Whitecliff Road (the keyhole bridge) and that this be referred to the Environment Overview Group.

For:Unanimous (Councillor Adams was not present for the debate or vote on this item).

(c)Provision of a Youth Shelter and Community Wildlife Garden on Turlin Moor

The Meeting considered a report on the allocation of Planning Obligations Funding to deliver a new Youth Shelter at Turlin Moor Youth Centre, and a Community wildlife garden in part of the open space.

Matti Raudsepp stated that at present the Youth Centre was open several nights a week and offered young people a valuable focus for their activities. On nights when the Centre was closed the young people often gathered under the covered area near the shops and at times were perceived to affect the business of the shops. The Youth Shelter would help to provide an alternative place to gather and would also be under supervision of the Youth Centre, when open, and was close to a mounted surveillance CCTV camera.

The Meeting was advised that the Shelter would be positioned on the eastern side of the Youth Centre and would be robustly made, incorporating additional wall lighting, seating and landscaping beneath and on the surrounding area. The design would enhance an underused area and would give the young people a focus point at which to gather.

The young people attending the Youth Centre had requested, over a long period of time, a place in which they could create some ownership. Some work had already gone into creating a small garden area which had been well looked after, and the logical extension of this was to open up an underused area for a community wildlife garden. The area in question would run from the rear of the Youth Centre and would be fenced in so that the First and Middle Schools would be able to safely use the area for teaching.

The provision of the Youth Shelter, landscaping works, fencing and gates would cost approximately £19,000. Funding for the scheme could be met from Developer Contributions for Recreation.

RECOMMENDED that this Sub-Group:

(i)supports in principle the provision of the proposed Youth Shelter and Community Wildlife Garden subject to the Scheme being reported to the appropriate Area Committee; and

(ii)allocates a budget of £19,000 for the Scheme from Developer Contributions for Open Space collected and held within Hamworthy West Ward.

For:Unanimous

(d)Walled Garden at Upton Country Park

The Meeting considered a Report for funding to appoint a Landscape Architect with garden design experience from the Leisure Services select List of Consultants to develop an Improvement Plan for the Walled Garden at Upton Country Park.

The Walled Garden remained an element of the historic park landscape that had failed to fulfil its potential. Whilst it contained interesting planting around its inside perimeter, the dominant central space was currently laid to grass, and consequently did not meet the expectations of visitors as one might expect of such a key feature. The improvement of the Walled Garden was a project that was a priority to the friends of Upton Country Park, to which it was anticipated that they would allocate funding from their own resources.

The outcome of the process would provide the necessary preparation and plans to take this Project forward to tendering. A further application for Planning Obligations Funding to deliver the Project was likely when the results of this design work were known.

RECOMMENDED that this Sub-Group allocates a budget not exceeding £10,000 from the Upton Country Park Recreational Contributions Fund for the appointment of a Designer.

For:Unanimous (Councillor Wilson was not present for the vote on this item).

(e)Improvements to Play Provision at Kingston Road

The Meeting was advised that Kingston Road, located in the Heckford Park area of the Town Centre, was a small, split-level site which currently contained a range of old equipment for young children. There was a problem with access between the two levels for wheeled vehicles and users with mobility problems. On the lower part of the site there was a problem with youths playing ball games which inhibited use of the site by young families. The site was essentially too small to accommodate both ball games and play equipment. There had been significant pressure from the local community for improvements to the site, which would make the facility more attractive to young families, and at the same time less attractive to use who might otherwise dominate the space.

Discussions had taken place with members of the community over a period of months and it had been agreed that the site was not suitable for a ball court aimed at teenagers, firstly because of its size and levels and secondly because of the proximity of the adjoining houses.

The proposal was to provide a ramp between the upper and lower section, to fence off the change in level, to remove the existing play equipment and to install new equipment across the whole site to deter ball games by design. This would provide a modern, safe and stimulating play space that it was considered the community would make great use of.

Matti Raudsepp stated that Kingston Road was one of the few play areas that was locked nightly. This was due to the site being attractive to use as a gathering point, which created tensions with local residents. It was hoped that this Project would make an important contribution to resolving this problem but it was recognised that the needs of older children were not well catered for in the Heckford Park, but unfortunately there were few opportunities to address this deficiency.

Funds available within Poole Town equipped children’s play collection currently stood at £132,000. The allocation of £130,000 to this Project was therefore affordable and was considered as a high priority for the Ward.