Minutes - Local Economy Overview Group - 28 October 2004
BOROUGH OF POOLE
LOCAL ECONOMY OVERVIEW GROUP
28 OCTOBER 2004
The meeting commenced at 7.00pm and finished at 9.20pm.
Present:
Councillor White (Chairman)
Councillor Rampton (Vice-Chairman)
Councillors Adams, Brooke, Eades, Gregory, Mrs Hives, Mason, Parker and Pethen.
Also attending:
Councillor Clements.
Members of the public present at the meeting: 0
1.MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2004 were confirmed as a correct record.
2.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Brooke declared a prejudicial interest in M.4 as a retailer and took no part in the debate or vote in respect of the proposed parking charges in the town centre.
Councillor Mason declared a prejudicial interest in M.4 as a retailer and took no part in the debate or vote relating to proposed parking charges in Broadstone. He also declared a personal interest in M.3 as a retailer.
3.FAIR TRADE STATUS - FEEDBACK
The Head of Strategic Planning Services presented a report seeking a formal commitment to supporting efforts to make Poole a Fair Trade Town. He stated that solid progress had been made in bringing together various groups in the community with an interest in promoting Fair Trade and a Fair Trade Steering Group under the umbrella of the Poole Partnership had been set up to take this initiative forward. These actions were now being translated into greater levels of activity to raise awareness amongst schools, business and the consumer of the benefits of stocking and purchasing Fair Trade products. A resolution by the Council to support Fair Trade would add further impetus to this work and would assist in the drive to achieve Fair Trade Town status.
Ruth Bessant, Joint Chair of the Fair Trade Steering Group, made oral representations to the Group and stated that there was growing interest in this issue with £100 Million being spent on Fair Trade products in 2003. There was a great deal of interest in Fair Trade products, especially amongst the young and she called on the Council to take on board this initiative.
The Group wished to place on record its gratitude for the work undertaken by the Fair Trade Steering Group.
AGREED that
(i)Cabinet be asked to recommend to Council that a resolution be passed supporting Fair Trade and the community-wide efforts led by the Fair Trade Steering Group to make Poole a Fair Trade town; and
(ii)This commitment be declared on the boroughofpoole.com website and in an appropriate news press release and supported by an article in Poole News.
For:Councillors Adams, Brooke, Eades, Gregory, Mrs Hives, Mason, Parker, Rampton and White.
Abstention: Councillor Pethen
4.CAR PARK CHARGES FOR 2005/6
The Head of Transportation Services presented a report detailing proposals for car park charges for 2005/6. He stated that the proposals had been focused on making the charges simpler to understand and it would also encourage more parking events and longer stays which in turn would support the vibrancy of the town and districts. Increased income would also used to address car parking budget pressures, improvements to car parks and Striving for Excellence projects such as Full Sail Ahead which supported wider town centre improvements.
The Head of Transportation Services stated that the charges proposed were forecast to produce approximately £300,000 of additional revenue income. This resource would be used to support the Council’s 2005/6 Budget Strategy and Medium Term Financial Plan. This Strategy recognised the importance of efficiency savings and additional income opportunities in order to achieve a level of Council Tax increase which was acceptable to Council Tax payers and to support the Council’s key priorities.
Before preparing the proposals preliminary consultation had been undertaken with key stakeholders including the Town Centre Management Board, the Tourism Panel, Grosvenor and Marketing Services. Details of the proposed changes had been circulated to all of these and Town Centre Residents Association and Leisure Services for comments. Responses to the consultation were attached to his report. Comments had also been invited from members of the Transportation Advisory Group. He also reported that since the consultation, detailed comments had been received from the Town Centre Management Board who were very supportive of the Council’s proposals and the only change that they had requested was in respect of the proposed 60p (currently 50p) charge for parking in Town Centre car parks on Sundays. The Town Centre Management Board had requested that this charge remain at 50p. The following main points were raised by Members:
- There were concerns at the proposed charges at Town Centre car parks from £1 to £1.20 for up to 2 hours parking and from £2.50 to £3.00 for up to 4 hours parking which seemed a large increase. There were also concerns for staff who worked in the Town Centre and a request was made for Cabinet to consider paying by instalments.
The Head of Transportation Services responded by stating that there was already a very successful scheme in operation for part time workers and agreed that Cabinet could consider paying the season tickets by instalments.
- A Member reminded the Group that last year various charges were not increased to see what the effect was on the Town Centre viability after Castle Point Shopping Centre had opened and asked if this had been taken into account.
The Head of Transportation Services responded by stating that there had been an effect but the largest had been on Bournemouth and Boscombe. Obviously the Town Centre Management Board had been concerned at losing staff but they were happy with the proposals. He highlighted the fact that Bournemouth already charged 70p and hour and the charges in Poole had not been raised for 5 years.
- A Member felt that when Cabinet considered the scale of charges in respect of the Town Centre (particularly the charges between 2 and 3 hours) that usage figures for these were made available.
The Head of Transportation Services undertook to provide this information.
The following points were also made:-
- There were other ways of raising money in the car parks by re-organising them. The bring sites had been removed from many of the car parks and extra spaces could be made available as a result.
- Trading in the Town Centre had declined and there was a need to provide something attractive to bring shoppers into the area.
- The proposal to alter the hours of charging to 8.00am to 7.00pm (currently 8.00am to 8.00pm) was welcomed but the Group should consider looking at the other end of the day and that charging should not commence until 9.00am. Many mothers dropped children off at school and then went shopping and to start charging at 9.00am would encourage them to park in car parks.
- There was also a concern at the increase in the visitors weekly season ticket from £15 to £30.
- More information on trends/effects/options next year would be helpful.
The Vice-Chairman of Transportation Advisory Group congratulated the Officers for the report and emphasised that it was important to recognise that pressures on the budget either had to be paid for by increased car parking charges or increases in Council Tax. The proposals put forward by the Officers had been supported.
A proposal to retain the 50p charge for parking in Town Centre car parks on Sundays was proposed and duly seconded. On being put to the vote this proposal was LOST.
AGREED that
(i)the charging structure for car parks as set out below be agreed for 2005/06;
(Where changes are proposed current charges and times of operation are
shown in brackets)
TOWN CENTRE (including on-street pay and display)
Monday – Saturday 8am – 7pm
Up to 1 hour £0.60 (0.50)
Up to 2 hrs £1.20 (1.00)
Up to 4 hrs £3.00 (2.50)
All day – entry after 10am *¹ £5.00 (-)
–entry before 10am £6.50 (6.30)
–
*¹ (This charge will apply to entry before 10am for Quay Visitors car park
except for July/August).
After 7pm £0.60 (0.50)
Season Tickets
7 day Annual £700 (660)
Quarterly £190 (175)
5 day Annual £650 (600)
Quarterly £180 (165)
Half Day *² (up to 5 hours) 50 tickets £85 (75)
(*² Half Day tickets can only be used at Swimming Pool, Parkstone Road,
Serpentine Road).
For:Councillors Adams, Gregory, Mrs Hives, Parker, Rampton, Pethen and White.
Against: Councillors Eades and Mason.
Abstention: Councillor Brooke.
HARBOURSIDE CAR PARKS (including on-street pay and display)
April – September
Monday – Sunday 8am – 7pm (6am – 6pm)
As Town Centre
October – April
Monday – Sunday 8am – 7pm (6am – 6pm )
Harbourside 1 - as Town Centre
Harbourside 2 and on-street
Up to 2 hrs £0.60 (-)
Up to 4 hrs £1.20 (-)
After 7pm £0.60 (-)
Boat Launching
All Day (entry before 2.30pm) £8.00*³ (7.50)
Afternoon (entry after 2.30pm) £6.00*³ (5.50)
(*³ Charge includes parking of trailer and PHC harbour dues)
Season tickets £85.00 (85)
For:Councillors Adams, Gregory, Mrs Hives, Parker, Pethen, Rampton, and White
Against:Councillors Brooke, Eades and Mason
BEACHES (including on-street pay and display) but excluding Beach Road
car park
Monday – Sunday
Winter
Up to 2 hrs £0.50
Over 2 hrs£1.00
Spring and Autumn (April, May, June and September)
8am – 7pm (7am – 7pm)
Up to 1 hr £0.80
Up to 2 hrs £1.60
Up to 4 hrs £3.20
All Day £6.50
Summer (July and August)
8am - 7pm (7am – 7pm)
Up to 1 hr £1.50
Up to 2 hrs £3.00
Up to 4 hrs £6.00
All Day £10.00
Beach Road : Spring, Summer and Autumn up to half price
Winter – closed
Season tickets
Annual :
Poole residents £55
Non-residents £110
Visitors weekly season tickets – all surface Pay and Display car parks
£30( £15 )
For:Councillors Adams, Gregory, Mrs Hives, Parker, Pethen, Rampton and White
Against:Councillors Brooke, Eades and Mason.
DISTRICT CAR PARKS (including on-street pay and display )
Monday – Saturday 8am – 7pm (8am – 8pm)
Up to 2 hrs £0.30
Up to 4 hrs £0.60
All Day £1.00
Sunday and 7pm – 8am no charge
Season tickets
Annual £150
Quarterly £40
For:Councillors Adams, Brooke, Eades, Gregory, Mrs Hives, Parker, Pethen, Rampton and White.
Abstention:Councillor Mason.
CIVIC CENTRE (surface car park)
Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm (8am – 6pm)
Up to 1 hr £0.30 (0.30)
Up to 2 hrs £0.60 (0.50)
Up to 4 hrs £2.00 (0.60)
All Day £5.00 (-)
All other timesno charge
For:Councillors Adams, Gregory, Mrs Hives, Parker, Pethen, Rampton and White.
Against:Councillors Brooke, Eades and Mason.
(ii)Cabinet be asked to consider the possibility of allowing the payment for season tickets in the Town Centre to be by installments.
For: Unanimous
(iii)Cabinet be asked to approve as a trial, the charges at Broadstone on-street pay and display car parks commence at 9.00am (currently 8.00am).
For:Unanimous
5.STRATEGIC PLANNING: ARRANGEMENTS AND REGIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGIES OPTIONS
The Head of Strategic Planning Services reported that at its meeting on 27 September 2004 the Structure Plan Joint Committee had accepted the unanimous view of the three Strategic Planning Authorities that work cease on the Replacement Structure Plan and the Overview Group was asked to recommend to Cabinet that this decision be endorsed. The Structure Plan Joint Committee had recommended new structures and the setting up of:
(i)The Dorset Planning and Transportation Committee, which was an informal Forum consisting of two elected Members from each of the County Council, Bournemouth and Poole Councils, and the six Dorset Districts. Its remit was to agree, on a consensus basis, common responses to regional consultations and to consider common policy approaches for inclusion in Local Development Frameworks.
(ii)The South East Dorset Strategic Planning and Transportation Joint Committee, was the successor to the Structure Plan Joint Committee, had a remit to develop Sub Regional advice to the Regional Assembly, as part of preparation of the Regional Spatial Strategy, and had responsibility for preparing the new South East Dorset Local Transport Plan. The Joint Committee would be advised by two Advisory Groups: the first would focus on the proposed South East Dorset Sub Regional Study and its composition was as detailed in the report submitted by the Head of Strategic Planning Services. The second would include Strategic Transport Providers, and would focus on the LTP.
However, the Head of Strategic Planning Services stated that the Regional Assembly had regarded the Sub Regional Study Advisory Group as the Steering Group for that Study, and its findings would be submitted direct to the Assembly. The Strategic Authorities under the auspices of the proposed new Joint Committee, would then submit its “advice” to the Assembly, which might or might not reflect the study itself.
He stated that this process differed from what had been envisaged previously, in that it had been expected that the Advisory Group would report to the Joint Committee. Members of the Local Economy Overview Group asked that the Cabinet should be made aware of its concerns.
The Head of Strategic Planning Services emphasised that it was vital to be involved in the setting up of the new arrangements. It was felt that failure to be involved would jeopardise funding opportunities in the LTP and Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West.
John McBride, Chief Executive, suggested that representations be made to the Regional Assembly on this issue, particularly as it affected all Strategic Authorities.
Members drew attention to their concerns on this undemocratic process but John McBride, Chief Executive, stated that it was essential to be involved as this could jeopardise funding in the future.
A Member suggested that local MP’s should be made aware of Members’ concerns at this process.
The Local Economy Overview Group also considered the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West 2006 to 2026: Possible Development Strategies for the Region and, on balance, supported Option 3 as it was felt that some sustainable growth was essential.
AGREED that
(i)Cabinet endorses the resolution of the Structure Plan Joint Committee but the remaining stages of the replacement Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Structure Plan be not completed and that resources be redirected to promoting the Sub Regions best interests through the new Regional and Sub Regional Planning Processes;
For:Councillors Brooke, Eades, Gregory, Mrs Hives, Mason, Parker, Rampton, Pethen and White.
Abstention: Councillor Adams
(ii)The current Structure Plan Joint Committee, Strategic Planning Liaison Committee and Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Joint Member Transport Group be replaced by the arrangements proposed, but the Cabinet be made aware of the grave concerns expressed by Members of the Overview Group on the proposed reporting arrangements and that urgent and strong representations be made to the Regional Assembly and local MP’s on the guidance which has been received;
For:Councillors Adams, Gregory, Mrs Hives, Mason, Parker Pethen, Rampton and White.
Against:Eades and Mason.
Abstention: Councillor Brooke
(iii)Cabinet be recommended to submit a response to the South West Regional Assembly’s Consultation Document – Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West 2006-2026: Possible Development Strategies for the Region, based on Sections 5, 6 and 7 of the Report submitted by the Head of Strategic Planning Services.
For:Unanimous.
6.TRANSPORT AND WORKS ACT ORDER - SUBMISSION
Alan Taylor, Regeneration Manager, reported that Cabinet, on 2 November 2004, would be asked to approve the making of an application to the Secretary of State for Transport under the Transport and Works Act 1992 for permission to construct a second opening bridge across the Backwater Channel between the West Quay Road and the former Power Station site. The process meant that the Order would be submitted before Council had approved the matter at its meeting on 14 December 2004.
He also drew attention to the fact that:
- Letters of Agreement had now been received on land dedication.
- A Bridge Operating Board needed to be set up which was of real benefit to Poole.
A Member felt that the process seemed undemocratic in that the Order would be submitted to the Secretary of State before being approved by Council.
The Portfolio Holder for Local Economy responded by stating that the Council had already approved the submission of the Transport and Works Act Order in 2002.
Alan Taylor reported that the Environmental Statement was a major piece of work which was a legal requirement and would support the TWAO application. The ES would be placed on deposit when the application was made.
He stated that the preparation of the TWAO was the outcome of a considerable amount of work that had required involvement and commitment of Officers from across the Council, working with a number of expert advisors. Council was also grateful for the support and input of key partners, particular Poole Harbour Commissioners.
AGREED that Cabinet be recommended to:
(a)approve the submission of an application for an Order to carry out works to construct and operate the new bridge over Backwater Channel under Sections 3 and 6 of the Transport and Works Act 1992 substantially in accordance with the Draft Order described in the report submitted to the Group;