BOROUGH OF POOLE
NEWTOWN AND PARKSTONE AREA COMMITTEE
14 JANUARY 2009
PARKSTONE EVANGELICAL CHURCH HALL, RINGWOOD ROAD, NEWTOWN
The meeting commenced at 7.00pm and concluded at 8.12pm
Members of the Committee present:
Councillor Clements (Chairman)
Councillors Collier, Mrs Stribley, Wilson and Woodcock
Members of the public in attendance: 15
NPA26.09 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Plummer and for late arrival
due to his attendance at another Council Meeting, from Councillor Wilson.
NPA27.09 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no Declarations of Interest.
NPA28.09 MINUTES
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the last Meeting of the Area Committee held
on 12 November 2008, having been previously circulated, be taken as read,
confirmed as a true record and signed subject to the following amendments:
M.NPA22.08 – Budget and Council Tax 2009/2010
Page 4 – first bullet point under “Comments on the Medium Term Financial Plan
were received as follows” second line delete “£40M” and insert to read “£9M from the
Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF)”.
Page 5 – fourth bullet point first line delete “settlement” to read “Cllr Plummer
expressed concern that the Council’s 29% budget from central Government ……”.
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NPA29.09 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Pearson Avenue – request for yellow lines
Councillor Mrs Stribley reported that she and her fellow Parkstone Ward
Councillors have conducted a survey with the assistance of Transportation Services
Unit amongst residents with regard to the imposition of waiting restrictions in Pearson
Avenue. The survey had revealed that the majority of residents were not in favour of
the imposition of yellow lines and alternative proposals were being formulated.
North Road Playingfield
Councillor Collier reported that discussions were taking place with Poole and
Bournemouth College over community use for this Site and he hoped soon to be able to
report that the Site may be available for public use in the near future.
NPA30.09 TRANSPORTATION ISSUES – TRAFFIC PANEL
(a)
Almond Grove
Mr Tite, Transportation Services, stated that the Traffic Panel had met on
the
November 2008 and considered the imposition of “No waiting at any time”
restrictions at Almond Grove, in the Newtown Ward at its junction with Rossmore Road
as detailed on Drawing HT200/79 before Members.
19th
RESOLVED that the Area Committee support the “No waiting at any time“
restrictions at the junction with Rossmore Road as detailed in Drawing HT200/79 for
advertisement.
(b)
Decies Road
The Traffic Panel had considered the imposition of waiting restrictions to
protect access and prevent obstructive parking in Decies Road. The Traffic Panel had
supported the “No waiting at any time” restrictions applying to the whole of Decies
Road.
RESOLVED that the Area Committee approve the advertising of waiting
restrictions to the whole of Decies Road as shown on Drawing HT200/80.
(c)
Highland Road
The Traffic Panel had considered the imposition of waiting restrictions at
the junction with Glen Road and at the access to Belmont Court, Highland Road,
Parkstone and supported “No waiting at any time” restrictions.
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RESOLVED that “No waiting at any time” restrictions be advertised for imposition
at the junction with Glen Road as shown on Drawing HT200/81.
(d)
North Road
The Traffic Panel had considered the request of a local resident to extend
the waiting restrictions to cover the access to No. 105 North Road. The Panel had
commented that the Council had a general policy that parking restrictions would not be
imposed purely to protect private accesses and if restrictions were introduced here the
parking would merely be displaced further up the hill. The Panel was aware there were
concerns about speeding in North Road and imposing additional waiting restrictions
may exacerbate these concerns.
The Area Committee concurred with these views.
RESOLVED that no action be taken at this time.
(e)
Herbert Avenue
The Committee was advised that a number of Members had concerns
about the proposal to impose waiting restrictions to protect sight lines at the access to
the Doctors Surgery car park in Herbert Avenue. The Traffic Panel had considered this
request and felt that waiting restrictions should not be considered outside the Doctors
Surgery until a possibility that the proposals to building a Nursing Home nearby might
provide the opportunity to accommodate parking in a new layby and clear parking from
the accesses along this stretch of Herbert Avenue had been investigated. This might
also allow the cycle lanes to be continued further along Herbert Avenue.
The Area Committee noted that parking bays had been left in this section
of Herbert Avenue specifically to accommodate visitors to the Doctors Surgery and
Pharmacy.
Councillor Wilson explained that he had looked at the proposals relating to
250- 260 Herbert Avenue and whilst understanding the needs of the Surgery he felt
although it might take longer that the options of building a Nursing Home and
accommodating parking in the new layby should be investigated although realising this
may take longer to achieve an improvement. He felt that traffic may move more freely if
there was an increase in the cycleway and the verge removed to utilise this space as
parking. He explained these works may take a year and then the proposals should
come back to the Committee for consideration. The Committee were supportive of this
suggestion.
RESOLVED that the opportunities for accommodating parking in a layby outside
the new Nursing Home be investigated and reported back to the Area Committee.
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NPA31.09 TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS – CHUBBS MEWS
Mr Tite explained that following complaints about obstructive parking, the Area
Committee had approved the imposition of waiting restrictions to keep access clear.
East Dorset Housing Association had consulted its Residents on the most appropriate
form for the restrictions and were to fund the proposals.
The Proposals, would prevent parking along the southern side of the road and at
the junction with Churchill Road were advertised on the 20th November until the 18th
December 2008.
Representations had been received from two households in Churchill Road a
short distance from Chubbs Mews. The Objectors had pointed out there was a
shortage of kerbside parking space in the area and the proposed parking restrictions
would make it more difficult to park near to residents’ homes. One of the objectors had
asked that consideration be given to introducing a residents parking scheme.
Mr Tite advised that Chubbs Mews was only 5.5 metres wide, too narrow to
accommodate parking on both sides. The yellow lines would not prevent parking in the
road but aimed to keep parking to one side and clear of the junction.
He advised the Area Committee that the Transportation Advisory Group had
recently reviewed its policy on residents parking schemes and the Portfolio Holder had
approved that it would only fund schemes that meet the strategic aim of reducing
carbon peak hour commuting. A resident parking scheme in Chubbs Mews would not
remove the need to keep parking to one side of the road and a resident parking scheme
in Churchill Road would merely displace parking into other nearby areas.
He reported that a further letter had been received in support of the Proposal, for
the School.
A resident addressed the Meeting explaining there were difficulties with access to
properties and felt that the introduction of yellow lines in Chubbs Mews would
exacerbate the problem causing parking to overspill into Churchill Road and that he
would really like to see a residents parking scheme in Churchill Road.
Councillor Wilson explained that he had visited the site and the residents of Flat
15 had received abuse from people parking in the Housing Association car park. He
requested Transportation Services to work with the Housing Association to fund clear
signage and to erect two signs explaining it was residents parking only.
As a Ward Councillor he was pleased that the Housing Association was working
with residents. He suggested that Transportation may look at 40 Churchill Road to see
if shortening yellow lines would bring another car parking space into use. He suggested
a meeting with Branksome East. Ward Councillors, Councillors Mrs Lavender and
Eades to work with this Area Committee over the issue may be appropriate.
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Councillor Collier responded that there were more losers if a resident parking
scheme was imposed and agreed that access to Chubbs Mews was essential. He
supported the proposal but realised it did not solve the problem of car parking in
Churchill Road. He explained that small residential parking schemes were not a good
idea as wide consultation and criteria were needed in order to consider the introduction
of residents parking schemes.
Councillor Mrs Stribley suggested that alternative solutions should be sought to
help residents in Churchill Road suggesting the use of Norrish Road Car Park to see if
residents’ car park permits could be issued time restricted to help with car parking
overnight. Mr Tite advised that car parking at Norrish Road was free overnight.
Members agreed that where proposals affected two Area Committees
Transportation should consult all Ward Councillors and the Area Committees work
together for the benefit of residents.
RESOLVED that
(i)
the Traffic Order in Chubbs Mews relating to the imposition of yellow lines
be made as advertised; and
(ii)
the issues relating to car parking in Churchill Road be referred to the
appropriate Ward Councillors and the Alderney and Branksome East and
West Area Committee.
NPA32.09 SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM UPDATE
The Chairman welcomed Sergeant Ingram, the Sergeant responsible for the
Safer Neighbourhood Team in Branksome East and West and Newtown together with
his colleague, Police Community Safety Officer Peter Raymond and Sergeant Jane
Newcombe who worked with the Safer Neighbourhood Team in Parkstone, Penn Hill
and Canford Cliffs.
The Chairman invited Sergeant Ingram to update the Area Committee on the
work of the Safer Neighbourhood Team covering Branksome East and West and
Newtown.
Sergeant Ingram explained that every three months the Safer Neighbourhood
Team identified a team focus in collaboration with the concerns of the community. The
Safer Neighbourhood Team was a multi-agency initiative. In December 2008 the three
areas identified with the community which the Safer Neighbourhood Team’s focused on
were:

Anti-social behaviour (in particular Apple and Pear Close)
Alcohol abuse and drugs (Trinidad and Dunford Close)
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
Speeding
Obviously other issues were dealt with as well but this was the Team’s main
focus for those three months. Sergeant Ingram appreciated that Apple and Pear Close
were not within this Area Committee’s remit.
The Team had been tackling anti-social behaviour and alcohol abuse in the
Trinidad area seeking long term sustainable solutions. Crime Reduction Officers were
also working on this initiative looking at the layout of flats making them a better, more
safer design by the taking out of hedges and reducing the flow of people through
scheme. Sergeant Ingram also explained that as part of the Restorative Justice
Programme offenders who had not offended before had planted shrubs in Poole
Housing Partnership Limited properties. This Restorative Justice Programme meant
that parents, perpetrators and the victims met with perpetrators to confront their
behaviour.
With regard to speeding, always a contentious issue, Police had been trained to
use a laser device to enforce speeding limits focusing on residential roads. Should the
Community have any issues it wished to raise with the Neighbourhood Community’s
Team it could be contacted on 222222.
Parkstone, Penn Hill and Canford Cliffs
Sergeant Newcombe explained that the three topics which her Team was
focusing on were speeding, particularly Bournemouth Road, Canford Cliffs and
Sandbanks, parking outside schools and cycling on the pavements. This focus would
change after consultation with the community at a Meeting at 6.00p.m. on 28 th January
2009, Civic Centre to which Sergeant Newcombe invited any residents here tonight to
attend. The “Think Bright” initiative had also been introduced to stop those cyclists
without lights giving them 14 days to produce a receipt for the purchase of lights and
attend with their bikes at the Police Station.
The Chairman invited the public to raise any issues.
A resident explained that he felt cycling on pavements was dangerous.
objected to cycle lane in Sandbanks Road.
He
Councillor Wilson explained that as a Panel Member at Newtown he felt the
outcomes of the Safer Neighbourhood Team’s initiatives had made a difference at
Trinidad.
The Chairman thanked the Police representatives of the Safer Neighbourhood
Teams for their attendance and for the difference they are making to the communities
and invited them to the next meeting of the Area Committee.
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NPA33.09 OPEN FORUM
Mr Landford had submitted the following question:“We have been given several deadlines since last May when a decision will be
made on the Fourways project and the Whitecliff portacabins - each time the
deadline passes and we are told that negotiations are at a critical stage - this has
been the case for the last 4 months or so and the portacabins have been empty
since last May - where are we with the Fourways Project decision and how can
we believe that you are simply not stalling for more and more time with the
monstrous portacabins sitting empty on Whitecliff? (the latest deadline was
Xmas/New Year as given by Charlie Sheldrick)?
Please also give assurance that if the Fourways project progresses to use of the
portacabins at Whitecliff that they will cease to be used by the planning decision end
date of December 2010 and the area will be restored to its original use as a recreation
ground at that time?”
The following response from Charlie Sheldrick, Head of Adult Social Care
Wellbeing was circulated.
“As Councillors are aware, the Council has developed detailed plans to develop a
new well-being centre on the Fourways site which will meet the needs and aspirations
of current and future service users and carers. In early 2008, the Council tendered for a
development partner to build both the centre and housing on the site. Unfortunately the
economic downturn led, to the withdrawal of the developer from the project in summer
2008.
Officers have, subsequently, been conducting a review of the financial viability of
the project in the light of the changed economic circumstances and have continued
negotiations with Care South, which is planning as an integral part of the project to edevelop its residential home for older people, which is located on the site. The Housing
Corporation has indicated a willingness to provide grant, which could allow the provision
of affordable housing as part of the project.
At this point, the financial appraisal work and negotiations with both the Housing
Corporation and Care South are continuing. A report will be presented to the Council’s
Cabinet on 27 January 2009 which will facilitate decisions on the way forward for the
overall project.
Planning permission for use of the temporary buildings at Whitecliff as a day
centre was granted in March 2008. This permission is valid through to the end of 2010.
Officers of the Council are aware of the need to work within this timetable.
The Head of Adult Social Care and Well-Being attended a meeting of this
committee on 12 November 2008 to provide an update and answer questions about the
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project. There is nothing further to add to what was reported then beyond confirming
the date for the Council’s Cabinet to receive a report with detailed recommendations (27
January 2009).”
Mr Landford, after reading the Response, explained that he realised residents
would have to wait until Cabinet on the 27th January 2009 before progress was known.
Councillor Collier commented that as the Cabinet Member who had objected to
the imposition of portacabins on Whitecliff felt it was important that the officers were
given time to see what they could achieve and assured residents that they were close to
a solution and that the Report should be awaited. Councillor Woodcock appreciated
residents’ concerns and reiterated that he would have to see the proposals at Cabinet
on the 27th January 2009.
A resident responded explaining that Councillor Collier had promised that at the
end of the Fourways Project the Whitecliff portacabins would be removed. Councillor
Collier responded that if another administration took control of the Council this could
change but confirmed that currently that was this Council’s policy.
A resident requested a promise from Councillors that the land should be returned
to recreational use when the portacabins were removed. Parkstone Ward Councillors
confirmed this was the case.
Councillor Wilson commented that the focus of the Council should be on the
Fourways users and how their needs were met. He explained that he felt the current
Fourways property had deteriorated to a point it could not be used. He requested that
Cabinet Members focus on the needs of Fourways users.
St. George’s Avenue
A resident commented that during the severe cold weather the car wash
overflowed into St. George’s Avenue and he had reported the resulting ice on the
pavement to Environmental and Consumer Protection Services. He had been advised
that the owners of the car wash were to put water softener and salt on the ice and clear
it up. He advised that this had not happened.
Councillor Collier assured the Resident that he would take this matter up with
Environmental and Consumer Protection (ECPS) and asked that residents if they did
not hear back from officers, then officers would assume that the action had been taken.
He requested that residents report incidents and follow-up on the ECPS telephone line
261700.
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Whitecliff childrens Play Area
A resident commented that at last he understood there was a scheme for new
equipment at Whitecliff Play Area but he had now been advised by the Council there
was
insufficient Section 106 money to cover the cost of such equipment. He queried
whether this funding could be found.
Councillor Woodcock agreed to take up this point to see if other funding was
available.
Councillor Wilson explained he was bemused by the question as he was a
Member of the Section 106 Working Group which is meeting tomorrow and there had
been no mention of any budget pressure for the childrens play fund yet, from what the
resident was saying there seemed a significant shortfall? A resident explained that a
letter had been issued by Leisure Services confirming this shortfall.
Camper vans Whitecliff Road
A resident raised the issue of camper vans and caravans parking in Whitecliff
Road. Mr Tite responded that he would look at time restrictions. Councillor Collier
explained that camper vans can park if properly taxed and this was not an Area
Committee issue.
Open Space Turner’s Hill
Councillor Wilson explained that a resident of Upper Road was looking at Policy
L1 Open Space in relation to Turners Hill and was hoping to achieve Village Green
Status. A green card was to be sent to her and Councillor Wilson explained how
residents could use the green card to seek Planning Obligations and Heathland
Mitigation funds.
Park in Alderney
Councillor Wilson raised the issue of consulting areas close to other Area
Committee boundaries where two Wards were dissected by a road and it was
AGREED that when there was a significant impact on neighbouring areas
Transportation Services would consult the appropriate Area Committees before taking
any action.
CHAIRMAN
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