Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

Apologies were received from Councillors H Allen, L Dedman, D Flagg, N Geary, L Lewis, and M Robson.

Councillors Rice, Ricketts and Trent were not in attendance at the meeting but joined remotely. In accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation these Councillors were not able to vote.

Councillors are requested to declare any interests on items included in this agenda. Please refer to the workflow on the preceding page for guidance.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interests made at this meeting.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting held on 9 November 2021.

The Chairman asked Councillors if they agreed to confirm the minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 9 November 2021.

Councillor Butler raised the following issues

• Paragraph 4 page 34 - requested that her comments on the Poole Civic Centre item regarding the impact of the proposed fire escapes on the listed building windows, that there had been no comments from the Conservation Officer to the Working Group and that she had raised a question on correct plans to show the position of the proposed fire escapes were attributed to her as other comments had been attributed by name.
• Page 14 - Correction of 2 words in Cllr Broadhead’s answer to Dr Young’s public question on 5G: “garnet” should read “are not” (paragraph 1 of answer) and “stop” should read “step” (paragraph 2 of answer).
• Page 37 - Item 8i Gigabit Fibre Network: “Vote carried by majority” There were significant numbers of Cllrs who did not vote FOR – therefore votes should have been listed in Minutes to highlight this.

Members were advised that votes would be included in the future.

The Minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting on 9 November 2021, subject to the corrections, were confirmed.

To receive any announcements or introductions from the Chairman.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

A - Former Councillors Graham Curtis and Frank Bowers

The Chairman reported that former Canford Heath Councillor Graham Curtis had recently died. He was a Poole Councillor for 24 years from 1987-2011 and Mayor of Poole 1998-1999. The Chairman called on Councillor Sandra Moore who paid tributed to Councillor Curtis.

The Chairman also informed Councillors that Former Borough of Poole Councillor Frank Bowers had passed away recently.  The Chairman explained that he was a Councillor during the 1980s and he would like to include him and Councillor Curtis in the Council’s respectful recognition of their service and memory.

The Chairman called for a period of respectful silence following the sad passing of former Councillors Curtis and Bowers and Members were upstanding.

C – Civic Activities

The Chairman took theopportunity to refer to some of the engagements that he had attended since the last Council meeting as detailed below:

·       Along with the Mayor of Bournemouth, he attended the Anglo European College of Chiropractic (University College) Graduation Ceremony.

·       Again, along with the Mayor of Bournemouth, he attended the introduction of the revived Palace Court Theatre, hosted by the new owner/operators Arts University Bournemouth.

·       He was honoured and privileged to read a Lesson at each of the Christmas Carol Services at The Priory Church, Christchurch, and St Peter’s Church in Bournemouth.

·       He visited the Bournemouth Food Bank in Haviland Road and this visit received good coverage in the local Press where the Chairman wanted to emphasise the Council’s thanks and admiration for those who work and volunteer for this vital community service which was especially appreciated at this time of year.

• He attended the Christmas Carols on the Green in Kinson, organised by St Andrew’s Church Choir.

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.

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.

The deadline for questions to be submitted to the Monitoring Officer is 31 December 2021

Question from Councillor Mark Howell

How much has the Council contributed in funding to Christmas activities, decorations and events in 2021 whether directly or via funding to other organisations and whether one off contributions or part of longer-term contracts? Please supply total figures for each of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and please further break down this information between each town centre and local centre.

Reply from Councillor Beverley Dunlop, Cabinet Member for Culture and Vibrant Places

A legacy budget of £44K for Bournemouth for the installation, removal, repair and replacement of Christmas decorations is not broken down by neighbourhood centres but is used where necessary to maintain or replace Xmas decorations and lights as and when needed. 

There are two other legacy Christmas budget items, £110k for Xmas Tree Wonderland, in Bournemouth, a contract, which has now completed and £20k from Christchurch for lighting and Christmas trees. 

These are the Christmas budgets that Cllr Howell inherited from the legacy councils when he became portfolio holder in May 2019 and the Conservative administration subsequently inherited from him completely unchanged 18 months later in October 2020, i.e. nothing for Poole Town or any of the district centres. 

Incidentally, the entire Poole events budget that Cllr Howell handed to Cllr Iyengar was less than the Christchurch Christmas budget, the princely sum of £17,200.  

In 2021 we were determined to correct this imbalance and boost events across the conurbation by putting extra funding into the cultural budget.  

And we did with a massive programme of 700 performances right across the three towns in summer 2021. Mr Chairman you may recall that Cllr Howell and other councillors from Poole and Christchurch, in Council, spoke and voted against this proposed increase in cultural spending.  

As part of Festival Coast Live we also obtained CIL approval for £50k infrastructure improvements to decorative lighting and electrical power infrastructure for Poole High Street and Poole Quay, an essential component in developing a Christmas experience for Poole. 

And that is precisely what we’re working on now. As part of our programme for 2022, to deliver on our Big Plan supporting the regeneration of Poole, we are intending to invest further in Christmas activities, working with partners so that Poole residents can enjoy a spectacular Christmas festival!   

And I say the same to Christchurch residents; we will be working with local partners to develop your events programme even further.   

This Conservative administration will continue to be proactive in supporting business and delighting our residents with high quality festivals and events, and Christmas 2022 will see amongst other things the launch of the Christmas Maritime Festival in Poole.

Councillor Howell, as a supplementary question asked that resources were spent equitably across the conurbation. Councillor Dunlop in response emphasised the approach in ensuring that all residents had the opportunity to enjoy the events and festivals that were held.

Note – the meeting was adjourned from 19.32 – 19.37

Question from Councillor Margaret Phipps 

My question relates to the Planning Committee carrying out its  ...  view the full minutes text for item 133.

The Chairman in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution sought approval of the Council to vary the order of business and bring forward item 7c – Audit and Governance Committee 2 December 2021 - Minute No 57 - Report of the Constitution Review Working Group - Changes to the Constitution to deal with these recommendations first under item 7.  The Chairman explained that the reason for this was to allow Simon Goacher from Weightmans to respond to any relevant questions or issues relating to the revision of the Constitution.

The Council agreed by consensus to vary the order of business.

Item 7c - Audit and Governance Committee 2 December 2021 - Minute No 57 - Report of the Constitution Review Working Group - Changes to the Constitution

Councillor Beesley, Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee presented the report on changes to the Constitution as set out on the agenda and referred Members to the recommendations. Councillor Beesley provided background explaining that this was the second set of recommendations from the Audit and Governance Committee on proposed changes to the Constitution.  He explained the process that had been undertaken culminating in the recommendations before the Council.  Councillor Beesley reported that the Constitution developed as part of Local Government Reorganisation coming into 2019 was undertaken at some pace so it was always anticipated that changes would be required, and the work undertaken by Officers to tidy up the Constitution was a benefit to all who use it on a regular basis.  Councillors were advised of how the review of the Constitution had been undertaken which included inviting interested parties at appropriate stages such as the Chair of the Licensing Committee, the Chair of Planning Committee, appropriate officers and the external challenge and advice on best practice sought from external solicitors Weightmans.  Councillor Beesley reported that the recommendations that had come forward were now for Council to consider, namely were they fit for purpose and should they be included in the Constitution.  Members were advised that there were other proposals coming through and Councillor Beesley confirmed that the Audit and Governance Committee would go through the same process over the next few months prior to submitting recommendations to Council.

Councillor Beesley took the opportunity of thanking Officers for the huge amount or work undertaken and in particular Richard Jones, Head of Democratic Services, Susan Zeiss, Monitoring Officer and Bob Hanton Senior Democratic and Overview and Scrutiny Officer.  He also reported on the work of the Constitution Review Work Group which had been hugely beneficial and detailed and that all options had been explored to enable the Council to consider the work that has gone into the proposals and the rationale.  Councillor Williams in seconding the move paid tribute to the cross-party Working Group.

Simon Goacher, Weightmans explained that he had been engaged by the Council and had been working with officers to review the recommendations and consider them against the legal requirements and best practice.  He reported that Weightmans advises a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 134.

The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 12 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor Chris Rigby and seconded by Councillor Simon Bull:-

Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Motion

For reference https://fossilfueltreaty.org/home

This Council

1.         Notes the “Glasgow Pact” Agreed at COP26 in November 2021 recognizes that the impacts of climate change will be much lower at the temperature increase of 1.5 °C compared with 2 °C and resolves to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C

2.         Notes the same document Calls upon Parties to accelerate the development, deployment and dissemination of technologies, and the adoption of policies, to transition towards low-emission energy systems, including by rapidly scaling up the deployment of clean power generation and energy efficiency measures, including accelerating efforts towards the phasedown of unabated coal power and phase-out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, while providing targeted support to the poorest and most vulnerable in line with national circumstances and recognizing the need for support towards a just transition;

3.         Notes that the recent report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has been described as ‘a code red for humanity’ by the Secretary General of the United Nations

4.         Notes that global governments and the fossil fuel industry are currently planning to produce an estimated 120% more emissions by 2030 than what is needed to limit warming to 1.5°C and avert catastrophic climate disruption, and that this risks undermining global efforts to reduce climate-changing pollution

5.         Notes that the economic opportunities presented by a clean energy transition far outweigh the opportunities presented by an economy supported by expanding fossil fuel use and extraction

6.         Notes BCP Councils own declaration of a climate and ecological emergency in July 2019

7.         Notes BCP Council and the wider community is committed to targets of net zero by 2030 and the BCP conurbation target of net zero by 2050, and recognises the current work underway to meet these targets

8.         Believes that BCP Council should be committed, as part of our Climate Emergency response, to a just energy transition and to ambitious investments in green infrastructure and industries that will create jobs and rapidly decarbonize our economy;

9.         Recognises a new global initiative is underway calling for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty that would end new fossil fuel exploration and expansion, phase out existing production in line with the global commitment to limit warming to 1.5°C, and accelerate a just transition to renewable energy

10.      Notes that other leading cities including Barcelona, Toronto, Los Angeles, Sydney, and Cambridge (UK) have endorsed the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

11.      Therefore, BCP Council endorses the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty 

12.      Further that the relevant portfolio holder, on behalf of BCP Council send a letter to the Prime Minister of The United Kingdom urging the UK Government to support the global initiative for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 12 of the Meeting Procedure Rules was moved by Councillor Chris Rigby and seconded by Councillor Simon Bull:

This Council

1.      Notes the “Glasgow Pact” Agreed at COP26 in November 2021 recognizes that the impacts of climate change will be much lower at the temperature increase of 1.5°C compared with 2°C and resolves to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C

2.      Notes the same document Calls upon Parties to accelerate the development, deployment and dissemination of technologies, and the adoption of policies, to transition towards low-emission energy systems, including by rapidly scaling up the deployment of clean power generation and energy efficiency measures, including accelerating efforts towards the phasedown of unabated coal power and phase-out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, while providing targeted support to the poorest and most vulnerable in line with national circumstances and recognizing the need for support towards a just transition;

3.      Notes that the recent report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has been described as ‘a code red for humanity’ by the Secretary General of the United Nations

4.      Notes that global governments and the fossil fuel industry are currently planning to produce an estimated 120% more emissions by 2030 than what is needed to limit warming to 1.5°C and avert catastrophic climate disruption, and that this risks undermining global efforts to reduce climate-changing pollution

5.      Notes that the economic opportunities presented by a clean energy transition far outweigh the opportunities presented by an economy supported by expanding fossil fuel use and extraction

6.      Notes BCP Councils own declaration of a climate and ecological emergency in July 2019

7.      Notes BCP Council and the wider community is committed to targets of net zero by 2030 and the BCP conurbation target of net zero by 2050, and recognises the current work underway to meet these targets

8.      Believes that BCP Council should be committed, as part of our Climate Emergency response, to a just energy transition and to ambitious investments in green infrastructure and industries that will create jobs and rapidly decarbonize our economy;

9.      Recognises a new global initiative is underway calling for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty that would end new fossil fuel exploration and expansion, phase out existing production in line with the global commitment to limit warming to 1.5°C, and accelerate a just transition to renewable energy

10.  Notes that other leading cities including Barcelona, Toronto, Los Angeles, Sydney, and Cambridge (UK) have endorsed the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

11.  Therefore, BCP Council endorses the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

12.   Further that the relevant portfolio holder, on behalf of BCP Council send a letter to the Prime Minister of The United Kingdom urging the UK Government to support the global initiative for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Councillor Chris Rigby presented the motion which would compliment the ongoing work which BCP Council was doing and the Climate Action  ...  view the full minutes text for item 135.

The Chief Executive to report on any decisions taken under urgency provisions in accordance with the Constitution.

The Chairman reported there were no urgent decisions to be reported.

Reserve date for Council in February 2022

The Chairman reported that the next meeting of the Council was scheduled for 22 February 2022. Members were informed that council business at that meeting would include the approval of the budget and the setting of Council Tax.  He indicated that he would like to make arrangements for a reserve date to be put in the diary.

The Chairman proposed that 24 February 2022 at 7pm be agreed as a reserve date which was approved by the Council.