FRIENDS OF POOLE PARK

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 5 JUNE 2006

The meeting commenced at 7.05pm and concluded at 9.10pm

Present:

D Chick- Chairman

M Heckford-Friends of Poole Park - Treasurer

B Lister-Friends of Poole Park - Publicity Officer

E Marsh-Friends of Poole Park – Committee Member

R Mountford-Friends of Poole Park – Honorary Auditor

D Gully-Borough of Poole – Assistant Ranger

J Marter-Borough of Poole – Poole Park Ranger

R Nicholson-Borough of Poole – Leisure Services

M Raudsepp-Borough of Poole – Open Spaces Manager

L Strothard-Clerk to the Friends of Poole Park

H Alexander-Open Spaces Society

I Andrews-Society of Poole Men

J Austin-Williams-Orchard Area residents’ Association

K Bearcroft-Parkstone Bay Association

D Broadhurst-Friends of Poole Park

C Chauncy-Friends of Poole Park

J Dibley-Poole Radio Yacht Club (PRYC)

J Eales-Friends of Poole Park

D Eldrett-Friends of Poole Park

N Ellis-Friends of Poole Park

E Gault-Friends of Poole Park

P Giles-Poole Radio Yacht Club (PRYC)

J Gillingham-Parkstone Bay Association

J Jones-Friends of Poole Park

E Lawford-Friends of Poole Park

C Middleton-Friends of Poole Park

M Muir-Friends of Poole Park

T Muir-Friends of Poole Park

M Munroe-Friends of Poole Park

J Norman-Friends of Poole Park

G Plant-Friends of Poole Park

B Potter-Friends of Poole Park

JR St John-Friends of Poole Park

T St John-Friends of Poole Park

P Steer-Parkstone Bay Association

AE Vincent-Poole Park Bowling Club

C Watkins-Orchard Area Residents Association

Members of the public in attendance:1

1.CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS

The Chairman welcomed one new Member to the Friends of Poole Park and introduced Members of the Committee, the Clerk and Local Authority Leisure Services Officers to the Meeting.

2.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Mrs E Allen, Cllr Burden,

Mr P Butler, Cllr Gillard, Dr M Grundy, Mr R Jones, Mr T Smith (Friends of Poole Park Events Coordinator) and Mr D Woodgate.

3.MINUTES

AGREED that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 March 2006 be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following amendment:

(i)Pg. 6, Para 4 – ‘Bird-scaring loud-hailer’ – 2nd sentence - delete ‘and’ and insert full stop between ‘Rooks and ‘Members’.

4.MATTERS ARISING

(a)Children’s Play Area : Security

Poole Park’s Ranger reported a reduction in the number of youths loitering in the new Children’s Play Area.

(b)RSPB Identification Boards

The Local Authority’s Open Spaces Manager informed members that the cost of purchasing and installing stone cairns had proved prohibitive. As a result, Leisure Services proposed to mount the Identification Board on a metal frame, similar to those which had been installed at Branksome Dean Chine. The Board would be installed in Poole Park by September.

(c)Wooden Picnic Table

The Picnic Table had been installed outside the new Children’s Play Area.

(d)Additional Play Equipment for Children’s Play Areas

A ‘Talking Tube’ had been installed at the Kingland Road Play Area.

(e)Lake Dredging

The Lake Dredging Project had received final approval from the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the Environment. Contracts for the tendering process were now being drawn up and it was anticipated that dredging would commence over Christmas 2006.

The Open Spaces Manager confirmed that (i) artificial islands created from the dredged material would be inaccessible to the public; (ii) Project costs would be met out of Planning Obligation Funding; and (iii) consideration of outline proposals for a fountain in Poole Park Lake would be deferred until dredging had been completed.

Leisure Services was currently considering planting schemes for the artificial islands, however landscaping would need to be undertaken to create low-level, flat islands out of the dredged silt before any planting could commence.

(f)Rose Garden

A fencing contractor had visited the site to scope the Project. Installation of the trellis was likely to go ahead once full costings had been received. The Friends of Poole Park had agreed to fund the Project.

5.POOLE PARK UPDATE

Poole Park’s Ranger gave an update report on works completed since March 2006 as follows:

  • The driveway to Reynards Yard had been resurfaced with limestone gravel;
  • The perimeter fence at the Mini Golf enclosure had been renovated;
  • The cost of installing unobtrusive granite setts to slow traffic flow was being investigated;
  • It was anticipated that the Park’s Maintenance Contractors would complete Summer planting by the week ending 17 June;

Poole Park’s Ranger reported a sharp increase in vandalism over the half term period (29 May to 2 June), including waste bins / Park benches thrown into the Lakes and excessive littering. Bedding plants at the War Memorial had been torn out within 12 hours of being planted and the Park’s Maintenance Contractors had spent the following day replanting the beds as a result. The incident had been reported to Dorset Police who had agreed to step up patrols in the Park, particularly in the evenings.

In addition, the Open Spaces Manager reported that the Operator of Poole Park’s Miniature Railway had given a statement to Police following a theft from the Railway Shed, an incident which had coincided with vandalism of the War Memorial. Police had reviewed CCTV footage and were actively pursuing the culprit(s).

Poole Park’s Ranger was thanked for his Report.

6.TREE PLANTING AND POLICY

Members received an update report on the Local Authority’s Tree Planting and Policy from Richard Nicholson (Technical Development Team Leader, Leisure Services).

Andy Osborne (Local Authority Arboricultural Officer) had compiled a comprehensive map-based tree survey of Poole Park giving detailed information on the Park tree population (including species, location, age, trunk diameter and date of planting).

The results of the Survey had identified the need for extensive pruning (predominantly of split tree limbs) with costs anticipated to be in the region of £3,000. However no pruning could be undertaken without securing explicit approval from the Local Authority’s Planning Design and Control Services as the Park was a designated conservation area.

Members noted the main findings of the Tree Survey as follows:

  • Poole Park had a total population of 1032 trees, including 76 species of broad-leaved tree and 17 species of conifer;
  • the survey recorded 193 trees as being under 10 years old. All were reported to be healthy;
  • there were no significant dead trees in the Park;
  • 9 trees had been planted in the current year, including 3 Hawthorns, 1 Magnolia, 1 Birch, 1 Sweet Chestnut, 1 Monkey Puzzle and 1 Acer.

Informed by the results of the Tree Survey, Leisure Services had begun to prepare a Draft Management Plan for the planting, care and maintenance of Park trees. Once formally approved, the Plan would be published on the Borough of Poole website (

Members noted the Local Authority’s general policy for the care and management of trees as follows:

(i)there was a presumption that the Local Authority would NOT fell trees wherever possible. Leisure Services had a duty to observe any Tree Preservation Orders in force and any applications for tree felling were submitted to the Local Authority’s Planning Design and Control Services for consideration;

(ii)tree works were prioritised according to the need to manage trees (and any hazards presented by them) in areas of high public use; work to repair trees posing a risk to public safety was paramount;

(iii)wherever possible Leisure Services encouraged tree species to achieve their natural form and size;

(iv)where appropriate the Local Authority ensured that dead trees were left standing and / or fallen wood was retained on site in order to encourage wildlife;

Once the Management Plan had been formally approved it was proposed that Andy Osborne would attend Area Committees, as well as a future meeting of the Friends of Poole Park, in order to give a presentation to Members.

A Question and Answer forum followed (summarised below):

(i)Horse Chestnut Avenue

In response to a question from Chris Watkins, Leisure Services confirmed that a final strategy for the replacement of trees on the Horse Chestnut Avenue had yet to be agreed. It was noted that the Local Authority’s 1996 Policy for the Management of Trees made no provision to replace the Horse Chestnut trees as and when they died as there was a long-term intention to maintain an even-aged feature.

Currently approximately 50% of the Avenue’s trees had died and it was anticipated that all surviving trees would need to be felled and replaced within the next 5 / 10 years. Leisure Services noted a request from Chris Watkins that in the event of all the trees being felled as proposed, the Avenue should be replanted with semi-mature trees in order to protect against vandalism.

Ken Bearcroft queried whether intermediate trees could be planted in between the current trees. Leisure Services Officers again stressed the need to maintain an even-aged feature but agreed to consider options to plant a ‘parallel avenue’ of trees (space-permitting) or options to plant replacement trees on the opposite side of the Park road. All options would need to be authorised by English Heritage.

John Austin-Williams stated his disappointment that, should a decision be made to fell all trees on the Avenue, some healthy specimens would be felled before living out their natural lifespan. He asked Leisure Services Officers to consider replacing the Horse Chestnut Trees as and when they died, noting that a similar policy had been employed in Berlin where Arboriculturalists had replaced dead trees with semi-mature specimens. Mr Austin-Williams stressed that although the resulting feature was ‘irregular’, it was nonetheless successful and attractive.

The Local Authority’s Open Spaces Manager agreed that there were a number of issues to take into account regarding the long-term management of the Horse Chestnut Avenue and underlined that the need to preserve the Borough’s only existing even-aged Tree Avenue would need to be balanced against the differing views of the public. The Management Plan would take account of public opinion.

(ii)Oak Trees

Ronnie Mountford expressed concern that some Great Oaks in the Park had a propensity for suddenly shedding large branches and appealed to Leisure Services for their attention to this matter. Richard Nicholson confirmed that the Park Oaks were inspected regularly by an experienced Arboriculturalist and any tree identified as a danger to the public would be felled.

In response to a query from Harry Alexander, Richard Nicholson confirmed that there were plans to increase planting of Oaks as a number were coming to the end of their natural lifespan. Continuity of cover would be maintained by ensuring that a copse of smaller oaks would be replanted at sites where any large oak had been felled. Both Traditional and other varieties of Oak would be considered for replanting.

(iii)Tree Plaques

Mike Heckford asked Leisure Services Officers to consider introducing tree plaques showing the species and age of individual trees. Bob Lister noted that Andy Osborne had offered to produce a comprehensive ‘tree map’ of the Park and there were plans to encourage schools into the Park for educational visits.

Memorial Planting was not supported by Leisure Services, however options for ‘Tree Adoption’ could be considered in the future.

(iv)Dead Trees

Leisure Services Officers agreed to replace dead trees at the site of the old boatyard.

The Chairman noted his disappointment that only 9 new trees had been planted in the course of the year, including one planted by the Friends of Poole Park in the new children’s play area. It was hoped that the new Management Plan would include plans to increase planting in future years.

Leisure Services Officers were thanked for their report.

7.TRAFFIC ISSUES

The Chairman read from a letter by Cllr David Gillard informing members that the Open Spaces Manager, together with the Local Authority’s Principal Engineer (Traffic and Parking), was investigating a number of options for traffic calming in Poole Park. Cllr Gillard did not support the installation of additional signage in the Park.

Dorset Police had informed Cllr Gillard that additional Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) were being recruited and would be deployed in the Park. In addition, Sgt Mike Kynaston would contact the Chairman to discuss policing of the area.

The Open Spaces Manager informed members that a number of traffic calming measures were currently under consideration, including the installation of granite setts. Full options, including costings, would be brought to the September Meeting for consideration. The Open Spaces Manager agreed to investigate options for installing short rubber speed humps with Transportation Services and a request was made that consideration be given to installing a speed hump at Whitecliff Bridge in order to deter ‘joyriders’. A discussion on off-road cycle-tracks would be deferred until the September meeting.

In response to a suggestion from Ken Bearcroft that Dorset Police be requested to provide an evening presence in the Park, the Publicity Officer reported that he attended 3-monthly Meetings of the Poole Town Safety Community Group and had raised such concerns with Dorset Police at these Meetings.

There was a perception that coach and lorry traffic through the Park had increased. Ian Andrews emphasised that taxis, commercial vehicles, buses and coaches were expressly prohibited from Poole Park under present regulations and suggested there was a need for these restrictions to be enforced. With regard to the problem of speeding in the Park, Ian Andrews suggested that members may like to consider lobbying the Local Authority to reduce the speed limit to 15MPH, a measure which would not require revocation of the Traffic Regulation Order already in place.

Peter Steer suggested that the Park road could be reclassified as a ‘Play Street’ with a 15MPH limit. The Open Spaces Manager agreed to raise the issue with Cllr. Gillard. In addition, members requested that Leisure Services consider options for the selective closure of the Park at peak travel times.

AGREED

(i)that Leisure Services investigate options to reclassify Poole Park as a ‘Play Street’. The Open Spaces Manager would discuss this option with Cllr Gillard; and

(ii)that the Friends of Poole Park request the Local Authority to investigate all options for reducing the speed of traffic through Poole Park, including the selective closure of Poole Park at peak travel times and the possible installation of short rubber speed humps in the Park. Full options, including costings to be brought to the September Meeting for consideration.

8.PLANNING OBLIGATION FUNDING

Members received a brief update report on Planning Obligation Funding from the Open Spaces Manager.

Total income received had now reached £508,000. Of this, £13,000 had been spent on the new children’s play area and a further £322,000 had been allocated to other commitments including £200,000 to fund lake dredging. Approximately £164,000 was available to fund new projects including installation of a fountain, renovation of the old play area and upgrading toilet facilities (subject to approval).

In response to a query from Bob Lister regarding whether there were sufficient monies within the £200,000 allocation to cover the cost of dredging the model yacht enclosure, the Open Spaces Manager stressed that the funds were granted primarily to facilitate the return of sailing to the lake. Although no firm commitment could be given, consideration would be given to dredging the model yacht enclosure should this prove feasible within the overall budget.

Harry Alexander sought reassurance that eels indigenous to the Lake would be protected throughout the dredging project. In response, the Open Spaces Manager confirmed that full consideration would be given to the protection of fauna and that terms and conditions to safeguard wildlife would be considered as part of the successful Contractor’s overall method statement.

Following a brief debate, a proposal to support the allocation of Planning Obligation Funding to cover the cost of refurbishing the Park toilets was passed by majority vote.

AGREED that the Friends of Poole Park would support the allocation of Planning Obligation Funding to cover the cost of refurbishing the Park toilets.

9.TREASURER’S / MEMBERSHIP REPORT

The Treasurer presented the latest financial statement.

The balance on the Friends of Poole Park account stood at £23,936.47 as of 28 May 2006. Recent expenditure included £3,151.69 to pay for new equipment in the Park (litterbin, picnic bench, talking tube, installation of the Mosquito system etc). Total receipts from Fest ’06 totalled £4,597.50 so far.