BOROUGH OF POOLE COUNCIL 29 SEPTEMBER 2015 BOROUGH OF POOLE COUNCIL 29 SEPTEMBER 2015

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1 BOROUGH OF POOLE COUNCIL 29 SEPTEMBER 2015 The Meeting commenced at 7:00pm and concluded at 8:17pm. Present: Councillor Ann Stribley (Mayor) Councillor Peter Adams (Deputy Mayor) Councillor Xena Dion (Sheriff) Councillors Bagwell, Brooke, Brown, Burden, Mrs Butt, Challinor, Farrell, Fisher, Gabriel, Garner-Watts, Gupta, Mrs Haines, Mrs Hodges, Howell, Iyengar, M Le Poidevin, Mellor, Mrs Moore, Newell, Mrs J Newell, Parker, Pope, Potter, J Rampton, Mrs K Rampton, Russell, Tindle, Tomlin, Trent, Mrs Walton, White, Ms Williams, Miss Wilson, Wilson Members of the public in attendance: Approximately - 6 C52.15 PRAYERS Prayers were said. C53.15 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ms Atkinson, Eades, Hadley, Pawlowski and Wilkins. C54.15 MINUTES It was Moved, Seconded and RESOLVED that the Minutes of the last Meeting of the Council held on the 21 July 2015 having been previously circulated, be taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Mayor as a correct record. C55.15 DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST(S) Mr Andrew Flockhart, Interim Chief Executive, declared a pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 9, Appointment of the Council s Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service, and indicated that he would leave the Council Chamber during discussion and voting on this Item. 1

2 Councillors Burden and the Mayor declared personal interests as Members of the Fire Authority in the Urgent Business Item on the Supplementary Agenda, Consultation enabling closer working between Emergency Services. C56.15 OBITUARY : THE LATE MRS JEAN PARKER: FORMER MAYORESS OF THE COUNCIL Council was advised that the former Mayoress, Mrs Jean Parker, had died on 31 August 2015 at Forest Holme Hospice. The Mayor advised Council that Mrs Parker had been a huge support to Councillor Ron Parker during his Mayoral Year, and indeed over many years of marriage. Councillor Parker had asked that the Mayor thank all friends and colleagues for their messages of sympathy and for attending the Funeral. All present stood in silent tribute. C57.15 MAYOR S COMMUNICATIONS The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, welcomed Councillor Mrs Butt to the Council meeting, following major surgery to remove a brain tumour and congratulated her on recovering in such a short time to be able to return to the Chamber. The Mayor then drew Council s attention to her Communications which had been tabled in, she hoped, a more interesting format explaining that, whilst visiting one of the many events she had attended in Poole Park, there were photographs of this area taken a number of years ago when the whole space between Parkstone, Sandbanks and Park Roads, now occupied by the Civic Centre, the Crown buildings and the old Police Station and Law Courts, was an area of allotments known as the Brown Bottom Allotments, it previously having been know as the brown bottom fields. The Mayor then suggested that all of those working within the boundaries of these three roads could collectively be referred to as Brown Bottomers! C58.15 PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS a) From Members of the Public i) Poole Flag Trust A Petition signed by 139 residents of the Borough had been received from Mr G Rigler in the following terms: 2

3 We, the undersigned, recognise the usefulness of the flag (illustrated above and currently available from the Poole Flag Trust) in promoting localism and a sense of historical place for Poole. Since the flag is based on the 14 th century Seal of Poole, which was awarded to all inhabitants of the Borough, we would wish to see the Council fly the Poole flag outside of the Civic Centre and at our beaches. The Mayor invited Mr Rigler, the Secretary of the Poole Flag Trust, to address the Council which he did in the following terms: I am Gerald Rigler, Secretary of the Poole Flag Trust. The trust is a registered noprofit making company that donate surplus funds to local charities. It is dedicated to promoting the unique flag of Poole based upon the 14 th Century Seal of the Town Council: not upon the more recent Coat of Arms to the approval of political party leaders some time ago. We recently displayed the flag at the 125 year Poole Park Celebration Event and it (and its back story) proved very interesting for those who visited out stand. Many of our visitors were surprised that it existed despite out efforts over recent years to contact flagpole owners across the Borough, although Poole scholars were reminded of their school badges. The flag has been exchanged with Cherbourg and has been flying from HMS Cattistock, several local yacht, sailing and bowling clubs and has even made an appearance on the Thames at the Queen s Jubilees but not out beaches or outside our Civic Centre. Hence this petition, which reads as detailed above. The Petition has been signed by some 175 people, many of whom expressed surprise that such a petition was necessary but, it was explained that we are expecting some significant seaside maritime events (including EU Maritime Festival in 2017) and it is a very cost effective way of livening up the place, raising spirits and flaunting out history and the Borough might like to be reminded (as a principal flagpole owner in the Borough) of these advantages in flying the Poole Flag, which would be seen on television programmes about our boat shows, polo matches and the Maritime Festival. As a matter of interest, whilst most of the signatories to this Petition are local residents, the gentlemen from York was quite convinced that his signature would stress the need for those with history to flaunt it, the chap from Wareham said he had to sign it because he is a Poole Pirate and, as we know, it was Poole Pirates that took the flag to the Queen s Jubilee. Others currently living outside the Borough showed strong connections with the nature of Poole, despite the BH postcode that misleads so many. Thank you for this opportunity to present this matter to you in person. It is trusted that, as the owners to more flagpoles than most of us within our Borough, it will soon be possible for you to accept and implement this petition and thereby strengthen the sense of Place or Localism across our Borough. The Mayor thanked Mr Rigler for his presentation. The Chief Executive advised that the Petition would be referred to the Council Efficiency and Effectiveness 3

4 Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration, and Mr Rigler would be advised of the date and time of the Meeting. ii) Harbourside 2 Car Parks: Illegal Incursions A Petition, signed by 116 residents, was presented by Mr Mike Randall, Chairman of Poole and Baiter Residents Association in the following terms: We request Poole Borough Council to narrow the entrance and exit to Harbourside 2 Car Park as a matter of urgency to deter illegal incursions. The Mayor invited Mr Randall to address the Meeting which he did in the following terms: Madam Mayor, Councillors, Ladies and Gentlemen, there have been at least 7 Traveller Incursions into Harbourside 2 Car Park during the past two years. A Senior Council Officer had claimed the average stay is 7 nights, which equates to approximately 7% of the year taken up with illegal incursions. This results in a massive disruption for residents, traffic continually in and out of the car park, generators activated throughout each night, dogs continually barking throughout the night, shouting, swearing and occasional fighting. The last incursion of 19 vans left a huge mess when it departed, faeces, soiled nappies, broken glass, huge wooden and cardboard boxes, all this despite provision of portable toilets with public toilets (less than 100 metres away) and skips. This all occurs with residents living less than 30 metres away from the chaos. The Senior Officer had ordered a reduction of 50% car parking charges to encourage motorists and to deter travellers which had proved an abject failure? Senior Officers claimed any barriers would deter legitimate camper vans, a total red herring as almost no legitimate camper vans park in Harbourside 2 Car Park. They use Harbourside 1 Car Park, with scenic views to Brownsea Island, and I have photographic evidence to confirm this. In total frustration, the Parkstone Bay Association organised a petition of residents requesting simply to narrow entrances, which has had over 130 signatories. We would request the Council to narrow entrances to Harbourside 2 Car Park, and close one gate. Almost no car parks in the Borough have two entrances. It would save considerable costs of legal notices and evictions and also, if such a measure is accepted for Whitecliff Car park, why not for Harbourside 2 Car Park, less than a mile away and both within Fields in Trust, of which Parkstone Bay Association are trustees? There can be access onto Baiter Park for emergency vehicles should the need arise, as there are currently three access gates that are locked. We host two fun fairs (each often longer than a week), festivals, charity and sponsored events, weekly Sea Cadet Band practices. We have no problem with these, but to add another 7% disruption on top of that is too much for residents. Poole is a Beautiful Place. Take the initials B, P and that translates also into Baiter Park, we would also like that to remain the same at all times, not only for residents of Baiter Park, but also for residents of Poole. 4

5 The Mayor thanked Mr Randall for his presentation. The Chief Executive advised that the Petition would be presented to the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration, and Mr Randall would be advised of the date and time of the Meeting. b) From Members Councillor Mrs Rampton presented a petition from Talbot Village Residents Association, requesting the Council not to remove the existing tree buffer along Wallisdown Road (westbound from University Roundabout to Talbot Drive), and not to replace it with a one-way two-metre westbound cycle lane, as the Talbot Village Residents Association felt that this would increase noise and traffic pollution to those residents properties that border Wallisdown Road (westbound). and also those who use it will be affected by the same noise and traffic pollution. The Petition invited residents to select the option they preferred as below: (i) (ii) To remove the existing tree buffer (that is alongside Wallisdown Road from University Road to Talbot Drive) and install a two-metre tarmacked cycle path, although there is a safer, quieter and virtually pollution-free cycle from Vine Farm Road to Talbot Drive or Leave the tree buffer in place that runs alongside Wallisdown Road (westbound) which protects the residents from noise and pollution from Wallisdown Road. This alternative also gives the cyclists a quieter, virtually pollution-free ride, it is also safer that they use relatively deserted sideroads and it is a better use of your tax-payers money. It was Moved, Seconded and RESOLVED that the Petition be referred to the Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration. C59.15 QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC No questions had been received. C60.15 APPOINTMENT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND HEAD OF PAID SERVICE BOROUGH OF POOLE COCUNIL: REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE APPOINTMENTS PANEL Councillor Mrs Walton introduced her Report, the recommendation of which was Moved and Seconded. Councillor Mrs Walton, as Chairman of the Appointments Panel, introduced this Report explaining that the Appointments Panel had interviewed Mr Flockhart, the sole applicant for the post, on 26 July 2015 and unanimously recommended to Council his appointment to the post of Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service. The Panel had been unanimous in its recommendation. 5

6 It was Moved, Seconded and RESOLVED that Council appoint Andrew Flockhart to the Post of Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service for the Council of the Borough of Poole with effect from 29 September C61.15 CORPORATE STRATEGY : REPORT OF THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL The Leader of the Council, and Chairman of Cabinet, introduced her Report, the recommendations of which were Moved and Seconded. A number of Members spoke against the adoption of the Strategy for the following reasons: It lacked detail There was no measurement or specification of how any of the priorities were to be delivered There was no detail against which the Strategy could be measured When setting objectives, they need to be specific and measureable, within the Strategy they are not Reference to priority of the local people was missing from this Strategy It was queried why there was little mention of the Voluntary Sector? This was not a Strategy, it was a Mission Statement Comparators were required. This was inadequate as a Strategy There was criticism of the lack of mention of education, in particular children with special educational needs and 9-14years olds. There was no mention of this sector of the community, and no mention on the Council s work on Child Sexual Exploitation At Page 6 of the Strategy, Waste did not mention re-cycling, air quality or carbon reduction, nor provision of public toilets This was not a Strategy document, but a wish list, which did not stipulate how the Council would be able to achieve such a wish-list. The formulation of a Strategy was about the how With regard to re-vitalising the Town Centre, there is no proposals contained within the Strategy as to how this might be achieved An Amendment in the following terms was Moved and Seconded that the Council refer the Strategy back to Cabinet, to look at and develop Strategies so that the Council is aware of the when and how the Council is going to approve. On being put to the vote the Amendment was LOST. A number of Members explained that a detailed Strategy document was not necessarily the answer. A Corporate Strategy rather than an Action Plan was successful. It was a Strategy where the detail underneath was how the Strategy could be realised 6

7 A Member Moved an Amendment which was Seconded to clarify the amendment made at Cabinet in the following terms: Insert as number 7 under the same heading reduction in total waste, insert per household, to read reduction in total waste per household. On being put to the vote, the Amendment was CARRIED. It was Moved, Seconded and RESOLVED: (i) That Council approve the Corporate Strategy as attached and amended as detailed below, on the basis that minor amendments can be made by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council; Page 8, Poole s Environment at 4, delete borrowers and insert users, to read number of active library users Insert as number 7 under the same heading reduction in total waste per household. C62.15 AMENDMENT TO THE COUNCIL S SCHEME OF DELEGATION: ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND POLICING ACT 2014: REPORT OF THE HEAD OF LEGAL AND DEMOCRATIC SERVICES Councillor Mrs Rampton, the Portfolio Holder, introduced this Report, explaining that Council was being requested to amend its Scheme of Delegation to take account of further powers now in force under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act Council, in December 2014, had approved amending its Scheme of Delegation to give delegated authority to the appropriate Officers, as a result of new powers under this Act, to enable Officers to continue to undertake anti-social behaviour work. The further necessary changes to allow the powers recently introduced to be used by Council Officers were detailed at Appendix 1 to the Report. It was Moved, Seconded and RESOLVED that the Council s Scheme of Delegation be amended to incorporate specific delegations to named officers, (as detailed in the Appendix to this Report), to accord with further provisions of the Anti Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 now in force. C63.15 NOTICES OF MOTION The following Motion had been received and was detailed in the Council Agenda: 1. Council notes that over 6 million people have been displaced in Syria and over 3 million people have fled to nearby countries. 7

8 2. Council notes that thousands of displaced Syrian people have attempted to cross the Mediterranean to seek asylum and have died in the process. 3. Council believes that the UK should be resettling more Syrian refugees than it currently is, and that it is our moral responsibility to do all we can as a Council and as a country to help to alleviate this humanitarian crisis. 4. Council therefore resolves to write to the relevant authorities to offer to accept 10 Syrian refugee families and house them within the Borough. 5. Council further resolves to seek funding from all possible sources to cover the cost of resettlement and to provide funding from reserves to cover any shortfall in costs not met by outside organisations and the UK government. 6. Council urges other councils across the UK to adopt similar policies, and 7. calls on the UK government to do more to address this humanitarian crisis. Signed : Councillors Brooke, Eades, Brown, Mrs Moore, Mrs Hodges, Hadley, M Le Poidevin, Howell The proposer of the below Motion, Cllr Brooke, referred Members to a revised Amended Motion in the following terms which was Seconded and had been circulated electronically to all Members of the Council and was tabled at the Meeting. i. Refugees (Amended Motion) Council recognises the severity and urgency of the refugee crises and will do all it can to help. Council commends the support from local communities and individual families that have offered aid, including accommodation, and will provide any necessary assistance to co-ordinate these offers via he Regional Strategic Migration Partnership. Council acknowledges it is necessary to balance the needs of local residents who have housing, health and education requirements with those of refugee families but is prepared to offer accommodation to refugee families if al all possible. Council pledges to work with all interested parties, including neighbouring authorities, MPs, MEPs, Faith and Community Groups to ensure support mechanisms are in place as soon as possible. Council resolved to seek funding from all possible sources, including the UK Government, to cover all the costs incurred through the provision of support and resettlement. Council calls upon the UK Government to do even more to address this humanitarian crisis. Signed : Councillors Brooke, Mrs Moore. 8

9 Councillor Brooke addressed the Meeting after the Mayor had reminded Members that there should be no inflammatory statements and no language used which may cause offence. Councillor Brooke explained that he felt the revised Motion would find favour with all Members of the Council and was disappointed that this had not been the case, he felt the Amended Motion recognised the Council s issues with regard to housing and the potential conflict whilst demonstrating the Council would be able to help the less fortunate who flee countries in a state of humanitarian crises. A number of Members spoke in FAVOUR of the Amended Motion: Most people would support this action and wish the Council to aid people. Since the 1950 s, this Country had coped with refugees and it has benefitted from assisting refugees. This Motion should be supported to help the Syrian refugees, and not refuse to do anything because of cost. A number of Members were AGAINST the Amended Motion and stated: The Motion could not be supported as it would mean that it was difficult to determine genuine refugees and those who were fleeing poverty. It was one thing to flee a war zone there was poverty in the World in all areas and the UK and the European Union could not support economic refugees. This Country was very good in opening it s door to people in genuine need of safety, but this Motion did not take account of economic refugees It would be difficult for the NHS to meet the needs of all. On being put to the vote the Amended Motion was LOST. The Proposer and Seconder indicated that they did not wish to move the substantive Motion. (ii) Motion Regarding Refugees The following Motion was Moved and Seconded We, the undersigned, wish to present the following Motion to Council : Council welcomes the statement made by Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron that the UK will take in 20,000 refugees from camps in countries neighbouring Syria over the remainder of this Parliament. Council recognises the severity of the current refugee crisis and wishes to do what it can to help. Council acknowledges the importance of Syrian refugees being granted 5 year humanitarian protection visas, allowing access to public funds, the labour market, and potentially family reunion. 9

10 Council commends the support offered by local communities which have offered aid including accommodation. Council will support communities to coordinate those offers via the Regional Strategic Migration Partnership. Council would wish to minimise the pressure on the local authority and communities by balancing the needs of local residents who have housing, health and educational requirements with those of refugee families. Council pledges to work with all interested parties, including neighbouring authorities, MP s, MEP s, Faith and Community groups to open up lines of communication and make representation to Government to provide adequate financial support as necessary, up to the full five year length of a refugee s stay. Signed: Councillors Mrs Rampton, Mrs Walton, Parker, Rampton, Burden, Mellor, Gupta, Challinor, Mrs Haines. The Proposer of the Motion, Councillor Mrs Rampton, addressed the Council stating that there were 4 million refugees in neighbouring countries to Syria, with vulnerable people at risk in camps, the Prime minister would like the country to take in 20,000 refugees from the camps but there was no indication of the cost of settling a family. She stated that the Council needed to act with its head not its heart and supporting this Motion would enable this to happen. A number of Members spoke in favour of the Motion as follows: Whilst supporting the Motion a Member felt uncomfortable that the Prime Minster was taking the credit as the Member felt the Prime Minister was part of the problem as he assisted in destabilising Lybia and the European Union and the USA had destabilised the Middle East. The Government was proposing to renew Trident against what deterrent? The Government could allow countries to use unoccupied second homes to house refugees. A Member supported the Motion as it encapsulated the Councils approach to the problem to take in 20,000 of the most vulnerable, this country had done rather more than other countries to aid those refugees in camps. A Member supported the Motion as it dis not commit the Council to spending unknown sums of money stating that there were 14,000 people in Poole s Housing Waiting List at present. A number of Members were AGAINST the Motion explaining that: To take 20,000 refugees from camps would not solve the problem, the UK should take its pro rata share of those travelling across the European Union. A Member could not support this Motion noting that other Councillors could not support the Amended Motion. He stated that Bournemouth Borough Council had agreed to take in 10 families the Amended Motion did not specify a number this was a sad time that the Council did not support the Amended Motion. On being put to the vote, the Motion was CARRIED. 10

11 C64.15 QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE FIRE AUTHORITY AND WORK OF THE POLICE AND CRIME PANEL There were no questions. C65.15 QUESTIONS TO THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL RELATING TO THE DORSET LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP (DLEP) There were no questions. C66.16 QUESTIONS RELATING TO GENERAL BUSINESS One question had been received in accordance with the Council s Constitution and as the Member was not present it was not discussed and it was agreed that the Question and response should be circulated to all Councillors and is appended to these Minutes. C67.15 URGENT BUSINESS: CONSULTATION ENABLING CLOSER WORKING BETWEEN THE EMERGENCY SERVICES :REPORT OF THE MAYOR, COUNCILLOR MRS STRIBLEY In accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the Mayor allowed consideration of this urgent item as a decision was required before the next scheduled Meeting of the Council. The Mayor drew Council s attention to the Government Consultation Enabling closer working between the Emergency Services on which a response was required by the 23 October Members noted that the measures being consulted upon were: i. The introduction of a new duty on all three Emergency Services to actively consider collaboration opportunities with one another to improve efficiency and effectiveness. ii. Enabling Police and Crime Commissioners to take on the duties and responsibilities of Fire and Rescue Authorities where a case has been made. There were 16 consultation questions. The Dorset Fire Authority had considered this issue at its Meeting on 23 September 2015 and, in her role as Vice Chairman of the Dorset Fire Authority and one of this Council s Representatives on the Fire Authority, the Mayor felt it was her duty to draw this proposal to the Councils attention and for the Council to respond to the Government. It was noted that responses were invited from individual members of the public as well as Councils and other bodies. It was Moved, Seconded and RESOLVED that authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Leaders of the Liberal Democrat and Poole People Party Groups to respond to the Government on its Consultation paper Enabling 11

12 closer working between the Emergency Services by the due date of 23 October MAYOR 12