Public Issues
To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution, which is available to view at the following link:
https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1
The deadline for the submission of a public question is 4 clear working days before the meeting.
The deadline for the submission of a public statement is midday the working day before the meeting.
The deadline for the submission of a petition is 10 working days before the meeting.
Minutes:
The Chairman advised that a number of public issues had been submitted for the meeting:
A – Public Questions
Public Question from John Soane on behalf of Bournemouth Civic Society
What measures are the Council taking to improve the lamentable standards of municipal environmental care in Bournemouth – especially with regard to the removal of graffiti from private locations (as in Westover Road and Springbourne); the creation of a visually appropriate, summer mowing plan (as along Wessex Way) and the better supervision of badly placed trade bins (as at the bottom of Richmond Hill).
Reply from Councillor Nicola Greene, Cabinet Member for Council Priorities and Delivery
Firstly, I would like to thank the Bournemouth Civic Society for their interest in protecting the built and historic environment of the town and engaging constructively in the planning process for new applications.
Secondly, I would like to thank Dr Soane for his particular question. He highlights an area of huge priority for this administration, based as it is on the daily concerns of our residents, businesses and visitors. What we see as we walk around our town and district centres impacts immensely on our sense of wellbeing and pride in our area. It is central to the Big Plan which we launched last year and to the Cleaner, Greener, Safer agenda which runs as a golden thread through our environmental work. We are committed to improving our area with pilots already launched in the conurbation’s three town centres.
I will deal with the three points raised in order:
Starting with graffiti – the thoughtless work of a moment which leaves property owners and those who see it with a distressing long-term problem. Graffiti on private property is the responsibility of the property owner and not that of the council. It is considered to be criminal damage and as such can be reported to Dorset Police.
Council officers will be working with Business Improvement Districts, local businesses and private landowners – and other willing partners - within the pilot areas to encourage self-led action to clean up properties and property boundaries as part of shared action.
Summer mowing has generated considerable interest over 2021 and as we move forward.
Throughout 2021 BCP experienced an exceptionally long and sustained period of grass growth due to an extended period of damp and warm conditions. This was a significant change from the normal, seasonally expected, drier periods in which vegetative growth would otherwise have stopped, giving our maintenance teams the ability to catch up and then keep pace with any subsequent growth.
Consequently, throughout 2021 grass grew much taller and denser than in preceding years and this was coupled with reduced staffing levels because of ongoing Covid-19; and this gave the impression that maintenance had in places stopped or had been reduced which was simply not the case. The Wessex Way, being a major high speed trunk road is subject to operating restrictionswhich involve full lane closures. Timing is critical to ensure minimal disruption to traffic ... view the full minutes text for item 132
Public Issues
To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution, which is available to view at the following link:
https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1
The deadline for the submission of a public question is 4 clear working days before the meeting.
The deadline for the submission of a public statement is midday the working day before the meeting.
The deadline for the submission of a petition is 10 working days before the meeting.
Minutes:
The Chairman advised that a number of public issues had been submitted for the meeting:
A – Public Questions
Public Question from Susan Stockwell
Does this council consider littering emanating from licensed premises a matter of public nuisance, whether for alcohol licensing or take away licensing?
Reply from Councillor Bobbie Dove, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services
The prevention of public nuisance is one of the Licensing objectives for all licensed premises, including alcohol sales and late-night refreshments. This would include take-aways operating after 11.00pm and would include litter.
Licensed premises, particularly those operating after 23:00 hours and into the early morning, may affect people living or working in the vicinity of these premises. Therefore, we would expect that the applicant’s operating schedule would contain practical steps to prevent potential disturbance to local residents, this would include litter in the immediate vicinity.
In some instances, litter emanating from licensed premises may be as result of failure by businesses to comply with ‘duty of care’ obligations to make suitable waste collection arrangements. Where this should happen, the Council is piloting a scheme where an enforcement company called WISE will engage with businesses to work alongside the Council and make improvements where necessary. This would include engagement with licensed premises, to ensure that they comply with these obligations. Should they fail to do so, fixed penalty notices can be issued where appropriate.
Public Question from Vicky Spence
How are residents near Culliford Crescent supposed to be able to object about a 5g mast going barely metres from their homes and affecting other homes further up the hill when all have been pretty much isolating since March 2020?
Residents were not informed, and homes are now blighted by an unsightly 18 metre mast towering over them.
I only found the Yellow planning notice after it had been erected and the weblink went to a blank page, the phone number was an old Poole Council number. How are we to find out information when the information supplied is WRONG?
Reply from Councillor Philip Broadhead, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Development, Growth & Regeneration
The 5G mast proposal near Culliford Crescent was subject to the required statutory notification following the submission of the application in June 2021. We need to look further into why residents didn’t submit comments to the proposal but all statutory requirements regarding publicity were carried out as they always are. An objection to the application was received from a ward Cllr representing their residents raising issues that were then considered in the assessment of the application.
Unfortunately, due the way the permitted development regime operates, the Council is bound by a strict process within which to determine 5G mast applications, and whilst fully sympathising with the concerns raised in the question, this application was ultimately determined in accordance with the legislation. We are, however, always reviewing how applications are notified and will ensure that any issues raised will be looked at further to ensure the Council’s notification procedures remain ... view the full minutes text for item 120
Public Issues
To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution, which is available to view at the following link:
https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1
The deadline for the submission of a public question is 4 clear working days before the meeting.
The deadline for the submission of a public statement is midday the working day before the meeting.
The deadline for the submission of a petition is 10 working days before the meeting.
Minutes:
The Chairman advised that a number of public issues had been submitted for the meeting:
A – Public Questions
Public Question from John Pendrill (read out by the Chief Executive)
Why are so many middle and high-status managers leaving the council? There are many incompatibilities between council policies and the relevance of them to the community. Personnel find it difficult or impossible to work in such an environment so choose to move elsewhere to engage with policies that are appropriate to the towns and wider locations concerned.
Are councillors aware of the disruption that occurs when experienced managers’ leave? Changes of personnel at higher levels cause delays in dealing with many issues that arise in the normal course of business.
Response from Councillor Drew Mellor, Leader of the Council
I would like to thank Mr Pendrill for his question. The figures are consistent with previous local authorities and the wider economy. It is natural that the Council would have some anecdotal movement of staff as we emerge from the pandemic. We also need to consider the organisational change we are in, including the smarter structure programme and bringing together the three authorities so there is an added change in our environment, and we should expect that. It is also important to say that we should recognise the service of staff who have moved on and we are hugely grateful to the efforts of those people who got us through the pandemic and to the dedication of officers across the Council. This is entirely consistent with what we would expect, and I am completely confident, and we can evidence, that we are still able to recruit the best talent in the country as we move forward to be a world-class single Council.
Public Question from Gerald Rigler
Discussing the Local Plan, the last Council Meeting learnt that a future BCP housing need of about 2700 dwellings per annum was a fair and balanced representation. What is the evidence?
Independently, ONS expects only 744 new households per annum will be formed in the BCP area during 2021 to 2031 (2018-based projection). Therefore, some Councillors think developers will build 2000 surplus dwelling each year for the whole plan period. The population of BCP (0–79) is projected to decline. So, who could buy these surplus dwellings and how may it be known that they will be built?
Response from Councillor Philip Broadhead, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning
I thank Mr Rigler for his question. The housing figure of around 2,700 dwellings per annum comes from the Government’s standard housing methodology. Government policy is clear that local authorities must use the standard methodology as the starting point for determining housing needs in each area. However, this is a starting point, and we have a piece of work underway to understand and provide evidence for what the balanced representation of the actual housing need should be.
I have written separately to Mr Rigler to assure him that ... view the full minutes text for item 108