Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

Apologies were received from Councillors M Cox, B Dunlop, M Greene, C Matthews, L Northover, S Phillips and A Stribley.

Councillors are required to comply with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and the Council's Code of Conduct regarding Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

Councillors are also required to disclose any other interests where a Councillor is a member of an external body or organisation where that membership involves a position of control or significant influence, including bodies to which the Council has made the appointment in line with the Council's Code of Conduct.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made on this occasion.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting held on 17 September 2019.

The Minutes of the Council meeting held on 17 September 2019 were confirmed as a correct record and signed subject to clarification by Councillor Butler on the voting relating to Clause 15(a) of the minutes of the Council meeting held on 16 July 2019 when she had voted against the motion and not abstained.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman of the Council.

Death of Sir George Meyrick

The Chairman referred with regret to the recent death of Sir George Meyrick who was a major landowner in the area.

Death of Former Councillor

The Chairman referred with regret to the recent death of former Borough of Poole Councillor Ray Smith who was a Canford Cliffs Councillor from May 1995 to May 2007.

Ray had been Sheriff in 2002/03, Mayor in 2003/04 and Deputy Mayor in 2004/05.  He had served on numerous Committees including as Chairman of the Planning Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Community Support and Scrutiny Committee.  In addition he served as a Council representative on various outside bodies and was the Carers Champion in 2006/07.

In the absence of Councillor Stribley the Chairman called on Councillor Haines who paid tribute to Ray Smith.  Councillors stood in silent tribute.

Urgent Items

The Chairman gave notice of the following urgent items of business that he proposed to raise following item 11 on the agenda.

• Potential deferral of the Council meeting on 17 December 2019
• Adoption of the Boscombe & Pokesdown Neighbourhood Plan
• Calendar of meetings for 2020/21

Although these matters were not included on the agenda, the Chairman agreed that they be dealt with as a matter of urgency due to the potential impact of the UK Parliamentary General Election timetable, and the requirement to comply with statutory deadlines.

To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution. Further information on the requirements for submitting these is available to view at the following link:-

https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/documents/s2305/Public%20Items%20-%20Meeting%20Procedure%20Rules.pdf 

The deadline for the submission of:

Public questions is Tuesday 29 October 2019.

A statement is midday, Monday 4 November 2019.

A petition is midday, Monday 4 November 2019.

The Chairman advised that 2 public questions and 2 statements had been submitted for the meeting.

Public Question from Simon Grimston

The West Hill Project & Community together tackling criminal and antisocial behaviour but this is only the tip of the iceberg.  Our efforts are directed in the following ways:

·           protect the environment – we, the Community,  

·           increase well-being for our community, inclusive of those with disabilities or victims of anti-social behaviour and crime.   

·           seek sustainability in resources whether voluntary, financial or advisory.

There is a high risk that if funding does not continue, all those benefits will be lost.

Will the Leader of the Council therefore give the West Hill Project a commitment to continued and sustainable funding?

Response by Councillor Vikki Slade (Leader of the Council)

Thank you for your question and thank you for inviting me to spend a morning with you so I could learn more about the issues faced by the area and so I could get to speak to business owners and residents about some of the social problems that they face.  As you know I have had several meetings with officers since we spent that time together and I was delighted to have been asked to present an award to the community team responsible for the community garden that has sparked some well needed ‘good news’ for the area.

As you know, the West Hill Project is a 2 year project funded by the MHCLG and is a multi-agency effort, driven by the council, which seeks to promote landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities, improve community cohesion and tackle issues relating to housing standards in the area. Over the life of this project a dedicated team of officers have developed excellent relationships with the community, who have responded positively and are now more engaged than ever before. As a result, we have been able to work with the community to better understand their experiences and their concerns, and have recently reviewed the project outcomes to ensure that not only are we delivering our baseline commitments, but to ensure that we are extending the benefit of the additional resources that come with it.

I am pleased to report that 276 inspections have taken place since the commencement of the project in June 2018, many of which have included multi agency partners in order that a range of issues are able to be identified and addressed. The outcomes from these inspections range from action to resolve housing standards issues, to direct action relating to anti-social behaviour and immigration issues. The project also includes a dedicated outreach service provided by Citizens Advice where tenants can seek advice and support and a Neighbourhood Warden who patrols the area and is able to provide a means of reporting issues, supporting residents and taking practical action to improve the area. In addition, we have invested in community engagement and development work and many improvements to the local area have been achieved, from enviro-cleans to a community garden created on a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

To receive the minutes of the following meetings.

The Committee Minutes for the last cycle of meetings were received.

Councillor Butler highlighted amendments required to the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 3 October relating to Planning Application Nos.  The Chairman advised that it was a matter for the Planning Committee to determine the accuracy of the minutes when presented at a future meeting of that Committee.

Voting: Agreed

Please refer to the relevant published agendas and reports.

(a) Cabinet – 11 September 2019

The recommendation arising from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 11 September 2019 was then considered and approved:-

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented the report and proposed approval as set out.  He outlined the project, the funding arrangements and benefits to the health and wellbeing of residents. Councillors were advised that that Audit and Governance Committee at its meeting on 10 October 2019 had supported the recommendation from the Cabinet on the above project.

Voting: Unanimous

(b) Cabinet – 9 October 2019

The recommendations arising from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 9 October 2019 were then considered and approved:-

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change presented the report and proposed approval as set out.  She outlined the project including the funding arrangements.

Voting: For - 68, Against - 0, Abstention - 1

The Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Leisure and Communities presented the report and proposed approval as set out.  He thanked Councillor Brooks for his role in chairing the Task and Finish Group.

Voting: Unanimous

The Leader of the Council presented the report and proposed approval as set out.  She highlighted the minor changes to the Strategy since the Cabinet meeting.  The Deputy Leader in seconding the proposal thanked Officers for their work in preparing the Strategy.

A Councillor commented on the Strategy and sought clarification on the implementation plan and how the objectives would be achieved.

Voting: For - 68, Against - 0, Abstention - 1

Following the resignation of Councillor Julie Bagwell from the Poole People and ALL Group the Council will be asked in accordance with the relevant regulations to review the political balance of the Council and the allocation of seats to Committees.

Councillors were advised that it was proposed that the review of the political balance of the Council would be deferred until the next meeting of the Council to enable further discussions.

RESOLVED that the review of the political balance of the Council be deferred until the next meeting of the Council.

To seek adoption of the new polling district and polling place boundaries following a review across the BCP Council area.

The Leader of the Council presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Councillor and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘A’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Council was asked to adopt the new polling district and polling place boundaries following a review across the BCP Council area.

The Monitoring Officer confirmed that the proposals set out in the report would not apply to the forthcoming general election.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)    the minor amendments to specific polling district boundaries within Alderney & Bourne Valley Ward, Bearwood & Merley Ward, Canford Cliffs Ward and Queen’s Park Ward as set out in Appendix 3 be approved;

(b)    it be agreed to combine polling districts in Highcliffe & Walkford Ward (HW2 & HW3), Muscliff & Strouden Park Ward (MS7 & MS8), Parkstone Ward (PS2 & PS3) and Poole Town Ward (PT4 & PT5) to make one larger polling district in each case to effect an alignment of the average electorate per polling station across the BCP Council area;

(c)    it be agreed to continue to designate the entire Polling District as the Polling place for that Polling District. 

Voting: Unanimous

This report seeks the agreement of the Council to delegate the appointment of the Independent Remuneration Panel to the Council’s Monitoring Officer and to recruitment of replacement panel members as vacancies arise.

When the Shadow Authority approved the scheme of members’ allowances in February 2019, it was acknowledged that a review would be required during the first twelve months of the new Council’s existence once the roles within the BCP Council were fully established and the work and responsibilities had been fully identified.

It is therefore necessary to formally appoint a Panel for BCP Council to undertake the review which will report back to Council at its meeting scheduled for 18 February 2020.

The Leader of the Council presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Councillor and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘B’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Councillors were advised that agreement was sought from the Council to delegate the appointment of the Independent Remuneration Panel to the Council’s Monitoring Officer and to recruitment additional panel members as vacancies arise.

The Leader explained that when the current scheme of members’ allowances was approved in February 2019, it was acknowledged that a review would be required during the first twelve months of the new Council’s existence once the roles within the BCP Council were fully established and the work and responsibilities had been fully identified. She encouraged Councillors to engage in the review process.

It was therefore necessary to formally appoint a Panel for BCP Council to undertake the review which will report back to Council at its meeting scheduled for 18 February 2020.

RESOLVED that the recruitment and appointment of an Independent Remuneration Panel be delegated to the Monitoring Officer.

Voting: Unanimous

Councils have a legal duty through legislation related to Public Health to improve the health and wellbeing of residents; reduce the differences in health outcomes between populations they serve and protect the health of local people.

Public Health in Dorset is a partnership between Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Dorset Council, which is the host for the service.

A robust recruitment process was undertaken by the two Councils and Public Health England in June 2019, which has led to the appointment of a new Director of Public Health, Sam Crowe.  This appointment has been approved as is required by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

The Leader of the Council presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Councillor and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘C’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Portfolio Holder for Adults and Heath advised that a robust recruitment process was undertaken by BCP Council, Dorset Council and Public Health England in June 2019, which has led to the appointment of a new Director of Public Health, Sam Crowe. This appointment had been approved as was required by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

The Portfolio Holder for Adults and Health and other Councillors commented on Sam’s commitment, compassion and drive and congratulated him on this role.

RESOLVED that the Council notes the appointment of Sam Crowe as the Director of Public Health for Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch Council and Dorset Council which has been approved by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

Voting: Unanimous.

The Chief Executive reported that the General Election had been called for 12 December 2019 and the next Council meeting was scheduled for 17 December 2019 which would require the agenda and papers to be sent out pre-election.  It was therefore proposed to defer the meeting until January 2020 on a date to be determined.

Councillors discussed the proposals and the implications which included highlighting that the work of the Council should continue, expressing concerns about the effect on residents and referring to key issues that were expected to be submitted to Council in December.  It was also acknowledged that Councillors were aware of the purdah restrictions.  A Councillor referred to the impact on officers in preparing reports for the Council who also had elections duties to fulfil.

Councillor Lawton moved and Councillor Broadhead seconded that Council business continue and the Council meeting scheduled for 17 December 2019 remain unchanged. 

Upon being put to the vote the above proposal was carried:

Voting: For – 39, Against – 24, Abstentions - 6

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Councillor and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘D’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Councillors were advised that, following a positive referendum result, the Council would make (adopt) the Boscombe & Pokesdown Neighbourhood Plan part of the statutory development plan for use in planning decisions in the Boscombe & Pokesdown Neighbourhood Area.

In moving the recommendations in the report the Portfolio Holder thanked all those involved in getting the plan to the adoption stage.

Councillors welcomed the report and acknowledged the support available from other forums in the Council area where Neighbourhood Plans had already been adopted.

RESOLVED that the Council:-

(a)   notes the results of the Boscombe & Pokesdown Neighbourhood Plan Referendum held on 31 October 2019 attached at Appendix 1;

(b)   agrees to ‘make’ the Boscombe & Pokesdown Neighbourhood Plan part of the statutory development plan for the Boscombe & Pokesdown Neighbourhood Area (the area is defined in a Plan attached as Appendix 2);

(c)   agrees to delegate to the Interim Head of Planning the publication and circulation of the final decision statement, and to format or make minor corrections where appropriate and publish the final plan.

Voting: Unanimous

This item was not dealt with at the meeting and will therefore be submitted to the Council meeting on 17 December 2019.

No motions have been submitted for this meeting.

No motions had been submitted for this meeting.

The deadline for questions to be submitted to the Monitoring Officer is 28 October 2019.

Question from Councillor Andy Jones

Given the anger and frustration caused to a number of disabled football fans by the removal of a significant amount of parking in Kings Park with no formal consultation, can the leader state what steps she is personally going to take to ensure that this never happens again?

Response by Councillor Andy Hadley (Portfolio Holder for Transport and Infrastructure)

I thank Councillor Jones for his question, which the Leader has asked me to respond to, as this has been raised with me, and with officers, by members opposite previously.

The introduction of restrictions to suspend parking within Kings Park during match days was agreed through the Safety Advisory Group meetings with the football club and the Police. With the increasing success of AFC Bournemouth, the Police were concerned with access to the site for emergency vehicles and for safe access away from the site for coaches carrying visiting fans. They reported that on occasions, due to the level of parking by blue badge holders within Kings Park, coaches were prevented from leaving the site in a safe manner at the end of the match.

The restrictions have been introduced using a temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO), also in place in Thistlebarrow Road on match days. We did not enforce the restriction for the first few matches. and most people have been respecting the change. 

 Following feedback from blue badge holders, and in order to mitigate the impact, the club have offered them alternative parking.  Members of the Safety Advisory Group recently met with local Councillors, including yourself, and blue badge holders representing the fans, to review the decision. As you will know, it was reported that the changes had made a very positive impact, not only for the safety of coaches leaving the grounds but also for all vehicles departing after the match. There was discussion on the appropriate provision of parking for blue badge holders and a commitment from the club to make some changes and ensure this is monitored over the next home fixtures, with a review in the new year. I would hope that having attended this meeting that Councillor Jones is content with the approach taken by the Council in partnership with AFC Bournemouth and guidance from the Police. 

Councillor Jones will also know that I have been raising the possibility of a direct walking link between Pokesdown for Boscombe Railway station and Kings Park to help reduce matchday congestion. 

We will continue to work with the Police, the club and the fans, including those with disability, to attempt to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.

Supplementary Question from Councillor Andy Jones

Councillor Jones asked if equality impact assessments would be undertaken for every event and for TROs.

Response by Councillor Andy Hadley (Portfolio Holder for Transport and Infrastructure)

Councillor Hadley confirmed that equality impacts assessments were undertaken and he would expect that to be the case.

Question from Councillor Drew Mellor

Could the Portfolio Holder please outline  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.