BOROUGH OF POOLE
BROADSTONE, MERLEY AND BEARWOOD AREA COMMITTEE
20 JULY 2005
The meeting commenced at 7.00pm and concluded at 9.40pm
Members of Committee Present:
Councillor Mason (Chairman)
Councillors Belcham, Brooke, Mrs Hives, Mrs James and Newell.
Members of the public in attendance:15
1.MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 25 May 2005 were submitted for approval.
M.2, Page 2 – Minutes – with regard to the road markings at the Broadstone Roundabout, a Member confirmed that the position of these had now been checked with Transportation Services and he confirmed that they had been rightly placed.
M.3, Page 2 – Presentation of Poole Community Champion Award – MrsLoisTaylor – Mrs Taylor advised that she had in fact been awarded a “Blue” Poole Community Champion Award and not a “Gold” Award.
M.5, Page 5 - Open Forum, final paragraph, first line – replace “supoprt" with “support”.
M.5, Page 5 – Open Forum – in response to the letter submitted by Mr Lloyd, a response from the Leader of the Council was read out. It was agreed that this response would be appended to the Minutes. In addition, it was agreed that Mr Lloyd be given the opportunity to refer to the areas contained within his letter that he did not feel had been sufficiently answered.
Recommended that the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 May 2005, as amended, be confirmed as a true record.
2.TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS – MOOR ROAD AND KING JOHN AVENUE
Steve Tite, Transportation Services, presented a report which detailed objections received to recently advertised Traffic Regulation Orders relating to Moor Road and King John Avenue.
Members were advised that this Area Committee, at its meeting on 6 April 2005, approved these schemes for implementation during the 2005/06 financial year. The Traffic Regulation Orders relating to these schemes have recently been advertised with the closing date for representations being 9 June 2005. Members were provided with a summary sheet which detailed the representations received together with recommendations.
In view of the representations received regarding the proposed restrictions in King John Avenue, it was now being proposed to modify the original proposals so as not to include the length across no’s 1-3 King John Avenue.
A Member commented that the existing double yellow line in Moor Road (opposite the businesses) were abused and he added that it was therefore essential that these proposed two areas of limited waiting were properly enforced.
Recommended that the following Traffic Regulation Orders be made:-
- Moor Road – as advertised
- King John Avenue – as modified.
3.ITEMS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS/RESIDENTS
(i)Anti Social Behaviour, Bearwood
Councillor Mrs James introduced this item by referring to the Section 30 Notice that had been implemented in Bearwood. She added that some residents were aggrieved that some areas of Bearwood were not included within this zone and she stated that key to this was the absolute need for residents to phone the Police and log/record any anti social incidents that took place.
Ian Cooke, Anti Social Behaviour Co-ordinator, Housing and Community Services, advised that the Police had applied for a Section 30 Notice for Bearwood following a number of extremely unpleasant incidents that had taken place. He added that during 2003/04, Bearwood had many more incidents of anti social behaviour than Merley/Broadstone. Following the application for the Notice, the Police met with the Chief Executive of the Borough of Poole where it was agreed that this Notice was required in order to give residents/businesses some respite. Crucial to the process now was adequate policing of this, together with a need to address the issue of displacement.
In response to a question raised, the Committee were advised that under these powers, if groups of two or more were seen to “gather” and the Police believed that they were about to act in an anti social way, then they were able to move them on.
Members were then introduced to Inspector Bridge who was the Community Safety Beat Officer for Bearwood.
Inspector Bridge advised that since the Notice had been implemented, calls to the Police Station had decreased and he referred to the following figures regarding reported incidents in Bearwood:-
December 2004 – 23
January 2005 – 31
February 2005 – 24
March 2005 – 49
April 2005 – 59
May 2005 – 53
* The Section 30 Notice was implemented on 3 June 2005.
June 2005 – 23
July (to date) – 11
The above figures represented a definite decrease in reported incidents following the implementation of the Notice.
With regard to the reporting of anti social incidents, Inspector Bridge advised that there was some fear of repercussions from informants regarding their perception that on reporting an incident, the Police would actually visit them at their homes. This did not always have to happen as there were various ways in which the Police could be contacted and the follow-up work could be progressed.
In response to a question, Ian Cooke, Anti Social Co-ordinator, Housing and Community Management Services, advised that the protocol had been negotiated by the Local Authority and the Police and had been approved by Cabinet. He added that the Section 30 Notice for Bearwood expired in October and the appropriateness of extending the Notice would be monitored at that time.
The Chairman questioned what happened to the offenders once the Section 30 Notice had been enforced. The Committee were advised that this would involve the Police electronically recording the offender’s name, address and date of birth. In addition, they would be handed a leaflet which defined the designated area and explained that they must not return within a 24 hour period.
A Member concurred with the view expressed earlier that it was crucial that residents did contact the Police in order to “log” incidents.
A Member commented that whilst he fully supported the work currently being undertaken, he did feel that there was potentially more that could be achieved with regard to building relationships in the local community with young people in looking at what activities/events could be made available to them. In connection with this, it was crucial that any activities that were provided needed to have “ownership” from the young children as well as their involvement in any suggestions rather than having them imposed on them.
A Member made reference to the “Youth Matters” Green Paper that was currently being considered by Central Government and it was agreed that it would be extremely useful if Area Committees had an involvement in the Consultation process. In order to assist here, a Member suggested that it would be useful if John Nash, Policy Director, be approached with regard to making a presentation on this issue to a future meeting of this Area Committee.
This was AGREED.
With regard to the consideration of provision of recreational facilities within development areas, a resident stated that it was crucial to commence this process with the planners by considering what was potentially available when a development was being proposed. He added that it was crucial for these issues to be built into the scheme at the earliest possible stage rather than being dealt with later, as an afterthought.
In conclusion, Ian Cooke, Anti Social Behaviour Co-ordinator, advised that Comic Relief had now widened the remit for bodies obtaining funding in that they were now welcoming bids from Community Centres/Community based organisations. It was agreed, that if appropriate, this would be pursued.
AGREED that the report on Anti Social Behaviour in Bearwood be noted.
4.OPEN FORUM
A resident questioned whether there was any reason why there appeared to be an increase over Broadstone in aircraft noise from Bournemouth Airport.
A Member advised that, inevitably, there would be an increase in flights during the summer period, however, he too had received complaints regarding noisy aircraft during the early hours of the morning and he was now addressing this and was currently awaiting a response from the Aviation Authority. He added, for information, that regulations did condition the flights during certain times, however, the Local Authority had no power over controlling flight paths.
A resident stated that he felt there should be a better consultation process in place for exchanging information with the Local Authority and Bournemouth Airport in order to create a better opportunity for liaison with the Airport regarding future expansion/constraints etc. Officers undertook to investigate this further.
A resident questioned the current position with regard to footpaths No.5 and 97. It was agreed that a progress report would be presented to the next meeting of this Area Committee.
A resident of Selby Close referred to a visit that had recently been made to his premises from the Gas Operators in order to service his appliance where it had become apparent that there was also a need for the removal of asbestos from the property. He questioned whether this would be done by a specialist team, whether this would be removed first and whether the Gas Operators would be aware of this. Officers undertook to check this.
In relation to the current work being undertaken with regard to “Schools for the Future”, a resident asked what work local Councillors were undertaking in relation to this process in ascertaining the views of the local communities.
A Member stated that this was an extremely complex process and he added that he had today, been appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the School Organisation Committee.
The Committee were advised of a recent series of events which had been attended by:-
- All 42 Headteachers
- School Governors
- Learning Portfolio Holder
- Chairman of the Learning Overview Group
- Other appropriate support staff
A public meeting had also been held at Broadstone Middle School where many parents had been listened to.
The Committee were advised that consultation had also taken place via a survey through “Parents Voice”.
In addition, there will also shortly be another round of consultation relating to the proposals and this will take place during November 2005.
Arising from the event detailed above, two potential models had emerged (two tier model and a three tier model). The Committee were advised that whilst no decision had yet been made due to the fact that the consultation process was still ongoing, there was a clear preference for the two tier model and therefore preliminary work was being undertaken moving forward the two tier option. No final decision would be made until full financial costings had been undertaken on both of these models and this information was hoped to be available sometime during September 2005. In addition, the Committee were advised that Dorset County Council were also undertaking consultation regarding their schools.
The Committee were advised that a Project Team had now been established in order to plan and execute this.
Mrs Gillis, Headteacher, Springdale First School, stated that “falling pupil numbers” was driving this forward and, in her opinion, it was crucial that there was “one system” for Poole. In addition, parents were also important “drivers” within this process. She concluded by stating that all Headteachers had now been given draft models based on the two options mentioned above, for further consideration.
A Member stated that, should any groups within the local community require further information regarding this, he would be more than willing to look to arrange further public meetings.
In conclusion, a Member stated that the overall aim was to achieve the “best outcome for all concerned”.
A resident referred to the problems associated with vehicles speeding along Springdale Road. A Member advised the Committee that SID’s would be in place in Springdale Road at the end of September 2005 which would hopefully address this situation. In addition, “loops” would be placed further down the road, towards the traffic lights, in order to monitor and compare the speed both before the SID’s were in place and during their time in place.
RECOMMENDED that the above be noted.
CHAIRMAN
633780 Cllr Brian Leverett
b.leverett
BL/JT
Date: 3rd June 2005
Mr Brian Lloyd
36 Twin Oaks Close
Broadstone
Dorset
BH18 8JF
Dear Mr Lloyd,
Thank you for your letter dated 4th May, 2005 and your written question to the Broadstone and Merley Area Meeting of 25th May 2005 both of which cover I believe the same issue.
I was pleased to be able to report to cabinet on 31st May 2005 the corporate monitoring report for 2004/05 to which your issues relate. To be able to report this information on a regular basis and to cover the whole year before the end of May marks I believe a further improvement in the Council's overall financial management.
I am confident that I will be able to report to the Cabinet meeting on June 28th 2005 the overall Statement of Accounts for 2004/05. This I understand has never before been done so efficiently in terms of timing and is well within the end of July deadline set by the government.
The report itself highlights the significant improvements that have been made over the last two years to improve the Council's financial stability. The work of the cabinet and the new responsibilities of the portfolio holders in understanding the needs and resources of their services has played a big part in this achievement.
In the period prior to this there had been annual budget overspends of over £2M. The External Auditor had expressed his concern in the Annual Audit Letter that the "short term expediency of using reserves and making cuts in the annual capital programme were not sustainable." For the second consecutive year the report details that we as a Council have come in under budget.
This we have achieved not by cutting budgets but by prudently and effectively reviewing what we do to achieve good value for money on behalf of our residents and taxpayers. In some cases this need to achieve value for money has led to works not progressing as quickly as we planned, as we look closely at how we do things. At Cabinet I was not prepared to propose that simply because the budget has not been spent that works originally plannedshould not happen e.g. Public Convenience refurbishment, beach huts maintenance etc.Monies had been raised from Taxpayers on the basis that these works would take place. I believe it is only right that those commitments are honoured. I do however accept that there is room to improve our planning to ensure that when we raise money we are realistic in our delivery timescale.
Looking forward I also recognise that given the low level of government funding we receive all our services face pressures often unforeseen to improve services without the capacity of some better funded authorities to meet these demands. I encourage our managers to identify solutions to the many issues they face and use our finances in a sensible way that recognise this avoiding the need for further burdens to be placed on our local taxpayers e.g. Crematorium responding to increased usage.
I would wish to emphasise that all cabinet members and managers recognise that we face a challenging agenda as we strive for excellence in our services delivered to residents. We will not resort to asking taxpayers for more money than is reasonably affordable. For this reason I am asking the CX and his management team to look at how we might improve still further upon how we best use our finances in support of our priorities.
I believe that the financial stability we have achieved will allow us to both improve the quality of services we provide to our residents and keep future Council Tax increases at an affordable level.
Yours sincerely
Cllr Dr BRIAN LEVERETT
Leader of the Council
Borough of Poole
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