Purple Haze Mineral and Waste Plan

Dorset County Council (DCC), as one of a number of consultees on Hampshire County Council’s (HCC) minerals extraction proposals, raised an objection during the last pubic consultation on technical grounds, which includes the Purple Haze site, as the plan did not include enough flexibility to cater for any increase in aggregate demand over the plan period.

DCC suggested amendments to overcome this concern and HCC has now modified their overall plan in accordance with this request. As a result, DCC withdrew its objection as there were no longer reasons to object on technical grounds. However, after a meeting with officers at County Hall last Wednesday, it has been made clear that the withdrawal of the technical objection does not mean that DCC supports the proposals, as has been suggested by some residents. There are other, more far reaching, environmental issues that still remain of real concern.

Dorset County Council had also made other observations, particularly with concerns about the impact mineral extraction could have on the Ebblake Bog, which is of significant international importance as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and RAMSAR site. The Ebblake Bog must continue to be protected at all costs, to enable future generations to enjoy our natural environment.

There is absolutely no evidence from HCC to prove that mineral extraction from the proposed Purple Haze site would not have a serious and detrimental impact on the hydrology of the area and, therefore, damage the very sensitive eco-system of Ebblake Bog. The opinion of your local Dorset County Councillors is that the ‘precautionary principle’ should be applied and that the Purple Haze site be struck from the plan.

Other serious concerns have also been brought to the notice of HCC and the Planning Inspector. The campaign against these proposals continues to get the full support of Local Councillors at all levels in wanting to get the Purple Haze Mineral and Waste proposals removed from the HCC Minerals and Waste Plan.

The EIP [Examination In Public] will take place in Winchester, on Tuesday 12 June. As Leader of East Dorset District Council I will be attending to put the case that this site should be struck from the plan as it is unsound for the reasons expressed above.

Robert Walter MP has become involved again and has written to the national office of Natural England. He is concerned about the inconsistent approach taken by Natural England in Hampshire in not applying the ‘precautionary principle’ compared to the far more diligent approach adopted by Natural England in Dorset.

 In other words, if there is no evidence that mineral extraction would not cause harm the Ebblake Bog then the proposal should be struck out of the plan.

Revised Committee structure and planning reform

Revised Committee Structure – East Dorset Members approved the revised Committee Structure at Full Council on the 16 April. The new Committee arrangements will come into effect at the beginning of the new Council year on 14 May 2012. The prime purpose of the review was to further improve decision making and to make the whole Governance arrangements more effective and efficient. 

There will be two policy Committees: Resources and Community, and a beefed-up Audit and Scrutiny Committee, which will take over the role of the Efficiency and Improvement Committee, which has been disbanded, in monitoring performance,. The other significant change is the introduction of a Joint CBC and EDDC Ethical Governance Committee, comprising 5 Members from each Authority, replacing the current Standards Committee that had been linked to the now disbanded Standards Board of England. All other committee arrangements remain unaltered.

Planning reform – In recent years, house building had fallen to its lowest peacetime rate since the 1920s. The new National Policy Planning Framework (NPPF) is intended to support economic growth and help create the homes and jobs that are needed across the country. These changes are intended to put unprecedented power into the hands of communities and Local Government, which will help protect and enhance our natural and historic environment, including the Green Belt.

The Government has indicated that the final National Planning Policy Framework has been strengthened by the responses to the consultation in turning 1,000 pages of Whitehall guidance into 50 pages. Core reforms are intended to sharpen the definition of the policies, and emphasised the essential balance that the planning system must achieve. This should make it easier to build in the right place and harder to build in the wrong place.

On 27 March, the Department of Communities and Local Government published the new National Planning Policy Framework. This new framework takes immediate effect, with appropriate transition arrangements. It applies across England. In addition, to new planning guidance on traveller sites was published on 23 March 2011 which outlaws, as inappropriate, any development in the Green Belt for Gypsy or Traveller Sites.

The Government intends to make the Local Plan, designed by local people, the keystone of the planning system. Each councils’ Local Plan will have a decisive role in shaping local communities. It will offer significant safeguards by ensuring that planning permission is granted in accordance with the Local Plan rather than relying on the NPPF.

The NPPF is intended to protect our national and historic environments. The new planning guidance safeguards valued, national protection such as Green Belt, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, as well as ensuring measures which protect wildlife, biodiversity, cultural heritage and which tackle light pollution. The final framework recognises the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside. There is also the creation of new planning protection for local green spaces which communities can adopt. By contrast the Regional Spatial Strategies would have seen the Green Belt under threat like never before with significantly more housing development than is now planned in the East Dorset Core Strategy [Local Plan].

The final Framework gives councils new powers to tackle unwanted ‘garden grabbing’ and prevent the over-development of suburban neighbourhoods. The previous Government’s planning rules stopped homes being built with sufficient parking spaces have also been scrapped – this diktat just forced homeowners to concrete over their front lawns to avoid parking misery. The Localism Act will also be introducing new neighbourhood plans, putting local people in charge, to help shape the character of new development. However, all neighbourhood plans must accord with the Local Plan.

The NPPF includes a presumption in favour of sustainable development that means development is not held up unless to approve it would be against our economic, social or environment collective interest, or contrary to specific planning protections (e.g. Green Belt, etc). Plan-making this means that local authorities should positively seek opportunities to meet the development needs of their area. This is vitally important as decision making means approving proposals that accord with the Local Plan in a timely manner.

There is absolutely no doubt that having in place or being in the process of preparing an up to date Local Plan, as we are in the final stages of doing at East Dorset District Council, offers significantly more safeguards for our Green Belt than not having a Local Plan. It would be open season to speculative planning applications for development in our Green Belt where we would not wish to see housing, which would be won on appeal if refused by the local planning authority.

Councils agree community consultation on Core Strategy

At Christchurch Borough and East Dorset District Councils we have agreed to move ahead with the next stage of the joint draft Core Strategy, which will involve major consultation with local people on the future of the two areas.

Members agreed the Core Strategy document was suitable for consultation at an extraordinary joint meeting of the two councils on Monday 5 March.

The draft joint Core Strategy has been prepared in line with the coalition government’s Localism Agenda and will form the basis of future planning policy decisions for Christchurch and East Dorset. It covers a wide range of issues, including the future of education, economic development, transport, public open space and the provision of affordable housing.

The Core Strategy is a key part of the Local Development Framework [Local Plan]. Having this document is essential as it enables the local community to have real control over future development in their area.

Recent research has revealed that as many as 122 Local Planning Authorities across the UK either have their strategic plans approved, are awaiting approval or are submitting plans this year or next year.

East Dorset has worked together with Christchurch Borough to produce the draft Strategy and would encourage residents, businesses, groups and visitors to have their say.

Evidence which supports the draft Core Strategy has been gathered over several years and there has already been considerable community involvement through two previous public consultations. Moving the draft Core Strategy to the next stage will allow for suggested improvements before the final version is produced and submitted to the Secretary of State later this year. The extended consultation period on the proposals runs from 2 April to 22 June.

The key factor is that the Core Strategy will assist the Council in dealing with the demands of our community in all its forms and will enable residents to be in control of social and economic development. We have a housing crisis in our district which has to be addressed.

We have a duty of care to future generations to ensure they can stay to live and work in our District. For this aspiration to have any chance of being achieved we will need a clear strategic vision for the control of development in our district for the next 15 years.

Having the Local Development Framework [Local Plan] will also prevent the Council from leaving itself open to landowners and developers using national planning guidance to build on our Green Belt and winning at planning appeals.

It is hoped that during the consultation period we shall see real public participation, with material reasons being put forward when objecting to or supporting the proposed strategic plans.

Council Tax Freeze for a Second Year

Councillors at East Dorset have agreed to freeze its Council Tax for 2012/13. In addition to this, there will be no cuts in frontline services and the Council will remain debt free.

The decision was made at a meeting of the full Council yesterday evening. As you will be aware, the freeze to the Council Tax has been managed despite a 25.4% cut in government funding, equating to £788,444 reduction pa.

At East Dorset, we predicted the funding difficulties over three years ago and took a proactive approach to maintaining front line services and achieving a balanced budget. Members and Officers have worked hard to find efficiencies within the services we deliver and savings from working with others. These actions have resulted once again in a sound and well-constructed budget that provides us with a strong foundation in future years.

My budget speech from the meeting is available to view in full here.

Budgets and Businesses

Revenue and Capital Budgets 2012/13

At the East Dorset Policy and Resources Committee on 15 February, Members will be asked to support a recommendation to Council for a further year with Council Tax frozen at the 2010/11 level of £190.93 for a typical Band D property [£3.67 per week].

The Council Tax Freeze Grant is a one off grant from Government which will once again help ease the burden of Council Tax, following the doubling of Council Tax during the 13 years of the previous Government.

The plan is to set aside the Council Tax Freeze Grant of £184,185. This will be used as part of East Dorset’s £729,000 contribution towards the £40 million project to create an infrastructure for super fast broadband across the whole of Dorset. The Council is therefore using one off money for a one off expenditure, rather than including this grant to support the revenue budget, which is prudent given the harsh financial outlook predicted for the following three years.

Forecasts indicate a need to bridge a funding gap of about £650,000 during the next three years to achieve a balanced budget. This savings forecast is in addition to the £744,000 in savings already achieved in the past two years through our Partnership with Christchurch Borough Council and shared services with North Dorset District Council.

Further savings beyond the amount forecast could have an impact on service delivery, as there has to be a limit to the savings potential in any organisation, regardless of how efficient it may have become.

Members will also be asked to support the proposed Capital Programme, which is both realistic and achievable, without the need to resort to borrowing. The Council therefore remains debt free and will continue to fund its capital expenditure from the best use of Council owned assets. 

 

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership

A new organisation called the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, or LEP, is being launched in April to boost jobs and attract new industry right across Dorset.  It will be driven by the private sector but will work in partnership with local authorities.

The LEP’s aim is to create an environment in which existing businesses can flourish and which is attractive for new start-ups and investment from the UK and abroad. This will deliver higher-paid and better-skilled jobs throughout Dorset.

The Dorset LEP is one of only 39 Local Enterprise Partnerships announced so far in this country. Is to be run by a board, made up of nine members from the business community from across Dorset, plus six local authority and academic representatives. The Leader of Christchurch Council is on the LEP Board representing all district and borough councils in Dorset.

It was formed in December last year and is currently developing a business plan to set out a clear path to delivering a brighter economic future for the whole of Dorset.  In the meantime, a number of initiatives are already being progressed.

One top priority is getting Dorset connected to fast broadband access, in order to attract new business and support existing enterprises, particularly in rural areas. The Dorset LEP has shaped the local Broadband Plan to gain almost £10 million from the Government, to be match-funded locally, with the overall project likely to be worth a total of £40 million by 2017.  It will improve access to broadband for 172,670 premises, both business and residential.  Timing for the roll-out is expected to be announced shortly.

The LEP also aims to improve the performance of existing business in Dorset and to aid the growth of new ones from inward investment via an allocation from the Growing Places Fund, set up to boost local economic activity. A further priority is to boost the skills of the current and future workforce.

News from East Dorset to start the New Year

Shared Services between Christchurch and East Dorset Councils – The partnership each surveyed 3,000 residents from August to October last year. The response was 36 per cent, which was significantly above expected numbers. Both councils decided to issue their own survey to monitor the effectiveness of their work over the past three years. The results show major service improvements for both councils with East Dorset, figures showing an improvement in overall satisfaction rising from 53 per cent in 2008 to 65 per cent in 2011.

 The excellent results of the survey are due to the hard work and dedication of Elected Members and Officers alike who have worked together to overcome the many challenges we have faced in these difficult financial times. Our priority has always been to deliver quality services to the people of Christchurch and East Dorset and this feedback indicates that we are on the right track with the Residents Survey shows the majority in our community understand why the partnership was needed and appreciate the work done to date and planned for the future.

The Partnership officially came into operation in January 2011 with objectives to drive down costs, improve services and reduce the risk of services failing. The Revenues and Benefits service operates in partnership with North Dorset District Council and the joint service, called the Stour Valley Partnership, which started in October 2010. This was followed by the joint Housing service between Christchurch and East Dorset which began in December 2010, which has shown significant improvement, is the quality of the service provided to residents.

A shared services timetable, covering all services under review, was drawn up and this is now well under way with scheduled reviews taking place progressively over the next 4 year period.

Further Electoral Review of East Dorset – Following a report to P & R Committee in August 2011, the Council wrote to the Local Boundary Commission for England requesting a review of the district wards be undertaken. Initially the Commission informed us they were unable to undertake a review, however in December an opening in their schedule occurred and the review will now be going ahead, based on the mandate already agreed with Members last year.

The Commission are coming to talk to the Chief Executive and Officers involved in the review on 24 January and will be visiting on the 16 February to brief all members of the Council on the process involved. They will also be holding briefings with the Political Leaders of the Council and representatives from the Parish and Town Councils at dates yet to be agreed. A cross party Member Task and Finish Group comprising of six Councillors has been established to deal with this review under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Leader – Cllr Alex Clarke.

The Group will be meeting regularly with officers throughout the review timetable. A special Policy and Resources Committee meeting is being planned for sometime in April 2012 to authorise submission of the Council’s case for the review. It is expected that the review will be completed by August 2013 with implementation of the new warding and governance arrangements in place ahead of the scheduled May 2015 District Council Elections. All Parish and Town Councils will be fully consulted.

During the review process the number of District Councillors will be considered, along with the resolution of acknowledge anomalies and new ward boundaries drawn up. The ultimate aim is to ensure that East Dorset District Council is efficient and cost effective. There will be full consultation with the public and Town and Parish Councils leading up to the submission to the Boundary Commission.

Official opening of the new Queen Elizabeth’s School

A few days ago, I was fortunate enough to be invited to the official opening of the new Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne.

The new school has set a national benchmark for sustainable, environmentally-friendly design.  The opening ceremony was led by the Right Rev Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury and pupils, staff and governors were joined by young people from Q.E’s partner school – Beau Bassin State Secondary School in Mauritius.

It was a fantastic afternoon which featured musical and dance performances, presentations and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. The new school will be a major asset to East Dorset – its facilities are some of the best in the country.

The following afternoon, I was delighted to welcome the Mauritian students and their teachers to the Council’s offices at Furzehill.

Accompanied by Q.E Headteacher  Andy Puttock and Q.E students, they heard a little more about our district and our Partnership with Christchurch Borough Council. We were then able to chat to our guests over a Dorset cream tea or two and hear more about their fascinating country.

Before they left, I presented the Beau Bassin Headteacher with a framed photo of East Dorset to remember us by. I’m sure they will return to Mauritius with good memories of their time in England and we hope they return to visit us again soon.

Core Strategy – the next step

January 2011 saw the conclusion of an extended period of voluntary public consultation on the early options for the future of the district until 2027.

Consulting with the public at this stage fits in with the Localism Agenda and was well received by local communities. We had over 3,000 submissions and this level of public interest shows that the District Council’s decision to carry out this additional period of consultation was the right thing to do. The community had been given a real chance to shape the future of our district.

The Core Strategy is a key part of the Local Development Framework (LDF), which is the new Local Plan. We are obliged to prepare an LDF for the period until 2027 and not to do so would make the district vulnerable to development by appeal. Having a Local Plan is essential as it enables local communities to have control over future development in their areas and was confirmed as a requirement by the government in July 2010.

We are now ready for the next stage of Statutory Public Consultation, which will commence in March 2012 for a period of 12 weeks.

There will be a Special Policy and Resources Committee meeting to deal with this single item. This meeting will take place on Wednesday 1 February, 2012 at the Barrington Theatre in Ferndown, starting at 6pm. This will be a meeting of the Committee in public, not a public meeting. However, members of the public will be given an opportunity to address the Committee regarding the content of the consultation document. Full details of the arrangements will be published in good time ahead of the meeting.

The LDF has been prepared jointly with Christchurch Borough Council, because many aspects of the local plan [Core Strategy] are common to both Councils. CBC will also be considering their consultation document ahead of an Extraordinary Joint Council meeting which is planned to take place on Monday 5 March at the Village Hotel Bournemouth, commencing at 6pm. Here, EDDC’s Full Council will consider the recommendation forwarded by its Policy and Resources Committee.

There will be no public speaking allowed at this meeting, due to speaking being allowed at the Special Policy and Resources Committee.

Members will be asked to approve the consultation documentation as being sound and suitable for Statutory Public Consultation. They will not be voting on the individual merits of the proposals contained in the document. This will come at later date prior to submission to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration, which is scheduled to be in December 2012.

All Dorset councils to discuss gypsy and traveller sites consultation

All local authorities have a statutory duty to provide enough Gypsy & Traveller sites to meet local need and, next week, East Dorset will be meeting to endorse a planned public consultation on proposed sites later this year.

All of Dorset’s planning authorities are working with the county council to produce a Development Plan Document (DPD) that will allocate permanent and transit sites to meet the county’s needs for the next 15 years.

Each of Dorset’s six borough and district councils, plus the two unitary authorities of Bournemouth and Poole, will be meeting to endorse the public consultation process in November – when local people will have the chance to give their views on suggested sites.

Consultants Baker Associates have identified potentially suitable locations against strict criteria, before drawing up a shortlist of options for the council. I must stress that these options have not been endorsed by the Council and that, next Wednesday, the Policy and Resources Committee will only be asked to support the consultation process on the sites, not the sites themselves.

Having enough permanent and transit sites in the district will help the police use special powers to move Travellers who camp illegally on private or public land.  It can reduce problems with associated anti-social behaviour by having properly managed sites and limits the detrimental effects on travelling communities’ health, education and well-being.

It is vitally important to strike a balance when fulfilling our obligations to meet the needs of both the settled and travelling communities.

If Members approve the consultation, local residents, businesses, interest groups and travelling communities will be invited to find out more and have their say on the potential site options for each area. A series of public exhibitions is planned, supported by an online questionnaire and comments form.

Supporting events and activities in the 2012 Olympic and Diamond Jubilee

Members of East Dorset’s Community Engagement Committee have agreed to support a Cultural Olympiad for the District with funding of £30,000 from the existing grants budget .

The funding will be able to be accessed by way of grants made to the local community. These will be awarded to help support East Dorset’s communities in maximising the opportunities that 2012 will provide for generating community cohesion and delivering healthy and more active lifestyles promoting respect, fair play, excellence, ambition and friendship and especially those which can demonstrate a legacy for the future will be considered for funding. Applications which link these themes with the aims of the Cultural Olympiad will also be considered.

Applications will be considered against a criteria based on Olympic values and/or their relevance to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. A launch event takes place on 27 September, 2011 to an invited audience of community organisations. Details of how you can apply for funding for your event will be released at this time.

Moors Valley awarded Green Flag for 2011-2012

Moors Valley Country Park has been recognised for its high quality and environmental sustainability.

The Park has been awarded a Green Flag, which is regarded as the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales.  It provides the most widely accepted measure of quality relating to the management, operation and improvement of freely accessible public parks and green space.

And from now until early September, people who know the park can show their appreciation by voting for it in the Green Flag People’s Choice Award on the Keep Britain Tidy website (see below).

Established in the late 1980s, Moors Valley has become one of the most popular country parks in the south of England. With good access, the park offers a safe and friendly environment with activities for all, including challenging play equipment, steam railway, cycle trails, high wire adventure, visitor centre, golf course and restaurant – all set in a beautiful, diverse and rich natural environment.

Over 500 activity sessions also take place every year, ranging from ‘Nuts about Nature’ wildlife discovery sessions and ‘Woodland Wisdom’ bushcraft events to ‘Nordic Walking’ and one-to-one cycling sessions, with more than 100 volunteers helping to run the sessions as well as assisting in conservation management.

To vote for Moors Valley in the Green Flag People’s Choice Award go to: http://tinyurl.com/3zq5k2r.