BOROUGH OF POOLE

LOCAL ECONOMY OVERVIEW GROUP

22 JUNE 2006

The meeting commenced at 7:00pm and concluded at 9:35pm.

Present:

Councillor Rampton (Chairman)

Councillors Adams, Clements, Gregory, MrsHillman (substitute for Councillor MrsDion), MrsHives, Knight, Mason, Parker, Pethen and Wilson (substitute for Councillor Brooke).

Members of the public present at the meeting: 0

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brooke, Mrs Dion

  1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Clements declared a personal interest in M.8 – Building Regulations, Parts F, L & P – Implementation Policy Document, as a family member worked in an affected trade.

  1. MINUTES

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meetings held on 27April 2006 and 16May 2006 be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

  1. URGENT BUSINESS

There was no Urgent Business

  1. REGIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGY – SUBMISSION DOCUMENT

The Overview Group considered the Report of David Ralph, Head of Strategic Planning Services relating to the Draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) published for public consultation.

The Head of Strategic Planning Services gave details of the timetable and procedure for the consultation and highlighted particular issues featured in the Report. In light of an Inspector’s comments, there was a need for an updated transport model to justify future projects. Poole, Bournemouth and the County Council’s were working together in seeking funding for an updated model.

During general discussion, Members referred to issues arising from the RSS including;

  • The definition of dwellings to include flats encourages the development of flats to meet Government density targets
  • The inclusion of gardens and roads in development areas but exclusion from assessment of density of existing areas leads to misleading density figures. Development density should reflect existing development in the area rather than arbitrary Government standards established without local knowledge.
  • ‘Affordable’ housing built in areas where values renders it unaffordable to people in need of affordable housing.
  • Sub-division of gardens justified on basis of density when not in keeping with area.
  • Restriction on car parking spaces when withdrawal of bus services increases dependency on car use.
  • The need for regular reports to the planning committee regarding the number of new dwellings completed.
  • The threshold for provision of affordable housing leads to incremental development. Alternative triggers for contributions that would be clear and transparent and based upon the viability of each site should be explored.
  • New homes figures apparently linked to economic development, if existing workforce was to be re-skilled this would reduce the demand for new homes

Recommended that the Report be endorsed, together with Members’ comments as a basis for the development of the Council’s response to the Draft Regional Spatial Strategy

4.BOURNEMOUTH, DORSET AND POOLE WASTE LOCAL PLAN

The Overview Group considered the report of the Head of Strategic Planning Services relating to the Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Waste Local Plan as modified by the Inspector following his consideration of objections at a public local inquiry held in 2005.

David Ralph, Head of Strategic Planning Services drew Members’ attention to the legal position of the Plan and the copy of the officer report to the Ad Hoc Joint Committee that had been circulated with the agenda.

Recommended that Council;

(i)Adopts the Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Waste Local Plan as modified by the Inspector and insofar as it relates to the Borough of Poole

(ii)Agrees that the date of adoption of the Plan should be 30June 2006

(iii)Agrees that the Authorities give notice of adoption to those who asked to be notified and as required by the Regulations

  1. JOINT LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK – POOLE PARTNERSHIP WORKING GROUP

The Overview Group considered the report of the Head of Strategic Planning Services relating to the nomination of Councillors to sit on the Joint Working Group for Poole’s Local Development Framework.

Recommended that five Councillors (three Conservative and two Liberal Democrat) be nominated to sit on the Local Development Framework Working Group.

  1. TOURISM SERVICES MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

The Overview Group considered the report of the Tourism Manager relating to the revised management arrangements for the Tourism Service following decisions not to re-appoint a Head of Service for Communications and Tourism and separate the Communications and Tourism functions.

Graham Richardson, Tourism Manager, drew Members’ attention to aspects of the report.

During general discussion Members made reference to aspects of the proposals including;

  • Partnership working had already been very successful, tributes to the existing Chairman of the Management Board;
  • The premises currently occupied by the Tourism Service were adequate and although the leasing arrangements were under review a move was not anticipated.
  • The achievements of the Tourism Service benefited not only visitors but also the residents.
  • Involvement of Members was important to ensure that Members were informed when making decisions in other sections of the Council.

Recommended that the new management arrangements for the Tourism Service outlined in the report be supported and adopted.

  1. IMPLEMENTATION POLICY DOCUMENT – BUILDING REGULATIONS PARTS F, L & P

The Overview Group considered the Report of the Head of Building Consultancy Services relating to the difficulties created by the recent introduction of amended Building Regulations and implications associated with these changes.

Alan Muzzall, Head of Building Consultancy Services, stressed the speed with which these Regulations had come into force. There was no budget for the resultant work and an overspend of approximately £20,000 might result.

In response to Members’ questions, the Alan Muzzall stated that;

  • Although some training had been undertaken by some f the staff, it would not be possible for all the staff to be fully trained on the implications of the new Regulations before the autumn. It was felt, however, that a reasonable service was being provided in the circumstances.
  • It would be possible to make members of the public aware of the requirements of the new Regulations, particularly those directly affecting work undertaken by DIY’ers through the usual Council Communication channels.

The Portfolio Holder for Local Economy (including Transportation) undertook to raise concerns relating to the difficulties caused by the implementation of the Regulations with the Local Government Association.

Recommended that

(i)the implementation Policy for the application of the amendments to Parts F, L and P of the Building Regulations as outlined in the report be adopted

(ii)Every effort be made to expedite aspects of the implementation Policy relating to Part L as a priority in line with the Council’s Policy relating to environmental impacts.

CHAIRMAN

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