Agenda item - Improvement of the environment in Poole Park through a trial closure of a park entrance to motor traffic

From 17 January 2024, BCP Council began a trial 24-hour daily closure to motor vehicles of one entrance / exit point in Poole Park.

On the same day the trial began, BCP Council launched a four-week consultation with the public, to understand the impact of reducing vehicles movements in Poole Park. The consultation results are considered in this report alongside other evidence, the strategic management of the park and the wider impact of a closure.

An Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) on the closure confirmed that on balance there are no significant impacts on protected characteristic groups, including older people and those with disabilities. The public consultation did show that older people and those with a disability were more likely to disagree with the proposal.

The purpose of this report is to assess the strategic management of the environment within Poole Park and to seek a decision as to whether the trial arrangement and road closure shall be adjusted or made permanent.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a) Agrees that the current trial closure, of the Whitecliff entrance and exit point to motor vehicles, is made permanent in Poole Park.

(b) Agrees that current arrangements are retained, and motor vehicles can still access Poole Park and its facilities.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Environment and Energy

Reasons

· Supports the BCP Council Corporate Strategy priorities of Sustainable Environment, preserving our natural environment for generations to come, an eco-friendly and active transport network, tackling the climate and ecological emergency, maximising access to our high-quality parks and open spaces.

· Supports the BCP Green Infrastructure Strategy that seeks to help increase health and well-being outcomes for our communities and visitors, thereby reducing pressures on health and social services; reverse biodiversity loss and nature recovery; strengthen the resilience of people, places and nature to a changing climate and support high quality placemaking.

· Public Health Dorset supports the proposed change as it enhances Park users’ health and well-being by being in an improved space with reduced vehicle movements, improved feeling of safety in accessing the park and its facilities.

· This is a strategic improvement of a key destination green space, supporting users from multiple wards, including some in more deprived areas. Follows similar precedent in Bournemouth parks, builds on previous trials and proposals to improve the park’s environment and the work of the 2017-21 Poole Park Life Heritage Fund project.

· It is recognised that 63% of consultation responses were against the proposal and of those many responses perceived that there are negative effects on older people and those with a disability. The Equalities impact Assessment and independent report by DOTS disability suggest there is no significant impact on any groups with protected characteristics.

· There has been an extensive review and understanding of the trial closure, the consultation response and supporting information. This report assesses the responses to the survey, their stated impacts against the long-term improvement for the environment of Poole Park and its users.

· With regards to ‘Active Travel’, a reduction of motor traffic through the park will improve comfort, safety and perception of safety for users of the park who are walking, wheeling, running or cycling for either pleasure or utility.

· Routes through the park have previously been identified as Key Walking Routes and/or Primary Cycle Routes within the LCWIP, adopted by full Council in 2022 in accordance with central Government policy.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute

Cabinet were advised that from 17 January 2024, BCP Council had begun a trial 24-hour daily closure to motor vehicles of one entrance / exit point in Poole Park, and that on the same day the trial began, BCP Council launched a four-week consultation with the public, to understand the impact of reducing vehicles movements in Poole Park. In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the consultation results are considered in this report alongside other evidence, the strategic management of the park and the wider impact of a closure.

In addition Cabinet was advised that an Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) on the closure confirmed that on balance there are no significant impacts on protected characteristic groups, including older people and those with disabilities but that the public consultation did show that older people and those with a disability were more likely to disagree with the proposal.

Cabinet was advised that the purpose of this report is to assess the strategic management of the environment within Poole Park and to seek a decision as to whether the trial arrangement and road closure shall be adjusted or made permanent.

The Chair of the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Chris Rigby addressed the Cabinet advising that the Committee at their recent meeting had scrutinised this report in detail having received representations from a number of members of the public and highlighted the significant amount of public engagement in this item. Further to this the Chair advised that following comprehensive discussion the Committee had resolved to make the following recommendation to the Cabinet for consideration urging that the decision be referred to Full Council for consideration: -

1. That Cabinet refer the matter to full council for decision.

Voting: For:6, Against:1, Abstentions: 2)

Ward Members addressed the Cabinet advising that there had been a balanced view of local residents both for and against the proposal.

Members addressed the Cabinet raising the following points of discussion: -

· urging that the recommendation from the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee be supported and that the decision be referred to full council.

· A request that the practices and processes for consultation be reviewed.

· A request to consider the options for timed closures

Members of the Cabinet spoke in support of the proposal and the recommendation highlighting that the park is still accessible for everyone to enjoy, and that the proposal has a positive benefit for the park user. Further to this it was raised that that there is a route still in existence for those who wish to drive through it.

During the discussion Councillor Cox read out Mr Ian Beechings submitted statement (as set out within the public issues) in order to clarify an extract of this statement within earlier discussions.

Cabinet members questioned the benefit of taking the report to full council for further debate and felt that the decision should be made.

In summing up the Portfolio Holder advised that the practices and processes for consultation should come back to the Cabinet at a future meeting for discussion.