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LYTCHETT MINSTER & UPTON TOWN COUNCIL

A meeting of the ENVIRONMENT Committee was held on Tuesday 26 January 2010 and commenced at 7.30 p.m.

PRESENT: Councillor E Skelton (in the Chair) Councillor Mrs J Young Councillor Mrs M Pryor Councillor P F Johns Councillor Mrs J M Richards Councillor P Rusling Councillor R Griffin Councillor F Rickard Councillor C Davies Councillor J Small (Chairman of Council)

Also in attendance: Karen Wright, Town Clerk Gena Hooper, Clerical Assistant Mr B Cooper, Tree Warden

APOLOGIES: Councillor Mrs P Skelton Councillor F Drane (abscent without apology) Councillor J Whippey Barbara Lake, Office Manager

310/09 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None.

311/09 CLERKS REPORT: a. Minute 262/07, 205/07, 164/07, 366/06 Upton in Bloom. It is hoped to organise a Flower and Vegetable show at the Community Centre on 11th September. The date for the next meeting will be Monday 15th February.

b. Minute 262/07, 205/07, 64/07, 366/06 (d) New ‘Welcome to Upton’ signs on the entrance to the Town. This matter is under review.

c. Minute 262/07, 205/07, 164/07, 65/07 Weight limit for Poole Road (except for access). A reply has been received from Tony Burt DCC saying that there has been very little progress in devising proferred routes for HGVs within and surrounding the County. This is largely due to the rise in SatNav use which drivers tend to follow religiously. There is a national review being undertaken of SatNav data but do not know how long this will take or if any improvements will result.

d. Minute 208/09 A35 Signage. A letter from DCC has been received which states that the zebra crossing at the Upton Cross Roundabout on the Poole road side complies with current regulations, if it is moved it could be well away from the pedestrian desire-line and not be used as a consequence, leading to people crossing at different points along the road. The problem of vehicles being driven through crossings when people are crossing is one that seems to be increasingly common all over the road network. Consideration is being given to a more prominent yellow beacon being tried out at a site in Dorset and it could be that this zebra crossing is a candidate for such a trial. DCC felt that the Town Councils view on the request for traffic signals at this junction are understood however if the Greenridge pub site is redeveloped then there may be scope for some minor improvements to that side of the junction.

continued...... 113

311/09 CLERKS REPORT: (Cont) e. Lytchett Minster School Cycleway. A DCC update has been received to say that the proposed Poole Road extension to the cycleway is now part of the capital programme to be approved by DCC cabinet shortly, with it being scheduled for 2012/13. Information was received from DCC about Dorset’s Cycle Network. Input is needed to see where new cycle routes are needed, and a survey is available on Dorset For You.

f. Minute 451/08 & 269/07 Lytchett Bay View. PDC are on site and have started undertaking some investigations in respect of its history as a land fill site to ascertain the risk of contamination. A letter was received from Amanda Marler, Dorset Wildlife Trust regarding the survey findings. The survey findings were presented at a special panel in early January. The panel was made up of representatives from various organizations including Natural England, DCC, Dorset Environmental Records Centre(DERC), Dorset AONB and the Environment Agency. The conservation interest of the site was acknowledged and it was agreed that it meets the criteria for an SNCI. The site will now be processed by DERC who will draw up the official boundaries (it will not overlap with the SSSI) and a management statement will be sent, including the site boundary, a brief description of the conservation interest, a map of the habitats present, a list of Dorset notable species found on the site, and management suggestions. It was also suggested to work towards local Nature Reserve status.

g. Minute 220/08 Request for Restricted Parking Schemes in Upton. DCC have advised that all consultees have replied to the proposals except PDC, but they have liaised with Cllr Drane. They are now commencing the public advertising.

h. Minute 344/08 Access from Triangle Shops onto Dorchester Road. This will be left in abeyance until a decision is made on the Greenridge site.

i. Minute 368/08 Variable Message Sign. The sign has been installed and is up and running, displaying various messages.

j. Minute 57/09 Upton Trailway, Poole Road – Upton Country Park (rear of Allens Road/Blandford Road South). No further information.

k. Minute 157/09 Limberlost Trees. DCC Highways have agreed in principal to small bushes/shrubs being planted at this location and this will be left in abeyance until funds are available.

l. Minute 153/09 Upton Trailway North side. A letter was sent to DCC Rights of Way team requesting that they investigate the possibility of claiming the old railway line as a right of way. No response has been received to date.

m. Minute 163/09 Disabled Parking Bay. Nothing further to report.

n. Minute 209/09 Request for 40 mph Speed Limit Request from A35 to Poole Road. DCC has advised that there are certain criteria in respect of speed limits within Dorset to ensure continuity through the County’s road network. Poole Road between the end of the current 30 mph speed limit and the junction with the slip road feeding on to the west bound carriage way of the A35 Upton Bypass does not meet the criteria for any limit lower than the national 60 mph limit. A lower limit along that stretch of road would not have any effect on collisions that occur at the junction itself. Having researched the most recent three year period for collisions at this junction they have all been caused by traffic pulling out from Poole Road into the path of vehicles traveling from the Creekmoor roundabout direction. Continued………………. 114

311/09 CLERKS REPORTCont) These collisions can only therefore be attributed to ‘driver error’ rather than speed. I suspect the major cause is traffic signaling left to come off the roundabout failing to cancel their indicators as they approach the Poole Road junction. The traffic waiting at the mouth of the junction is then pulling out over the give way signs without ensuring that the approaching vehicle is actually turning left and a collision occurs. No changes to speed limits at this location is therefore proposed. After discussion it was agreed to send another letter to Andy Culley to highlight concern re slip road coming of the A35 down past Upton House and through onto Poole Road and to suggest a 30mph speed limit and roundels on the road.

o. Minute 215/09 request for yellow lines in Upton Close. See Minute 251/09 (h).

p. Vehicular access from Lytchett Minster School A letter has been sent to DCC advising of Council’s suggestions for the problems at this site, and a response is awaited. Andy Culley DCC has agreed to attend the next Environment Meeting on the 23 February 2010 at 7.45.

q. Regeneration of Davenport Close Open Space. Upton in Bloom accepted the quote for £833.75 and the Town Council has approached the contractor to go ahead. There has been some delays due to staff issues with the contractor. The Groundsman to expidite this

r. Blandford Road North – New Pavement. This is scheduled into DCC capital programme for 2010/11.

312/09 CORRESPONDENCE: a. A Flood Warden Newsletter was received from the Environment Agency. Cllr Johns is acting Flood Warden at the present time. A formal proposal to elect Flood Warden will be an item on February Agenda and Cllrs agreed this was very helpful.

b. Feedback was received from DCC Parish Maintenance Unit.

c. A letter was received from DCC Highways Management Group advising us that the Highways team have moved to new premises at the North East Wing of County Hall.

d. A letter was received from DCC Eastern Highways Office with further information on the Highway Lengthsman Scheme. As the Town Council have appointed their own Street Cleansing Operative this scheme is currently not of interest to the Town Council.

e. A letter of thanks was received from a resident of Upton for installing a new bus shelter on Sandy Lane, near Tree Hamlets.

f. A letter was received from DCC asking for the Town Council feedback on the recently installed Poole Road Pedestrian Refuge. The Questionaire was filled in and will be sent back to DCC LTP and Improvements Group at DCC.

g. A proposal to introduce a 30 mph speed limit north east of Lytchett Minster and south east of the Bakers Arms roundabout, which is currently 40 mph, was received from DCC. After discussion it was agreed that the Town Council were all in favour of changing the speed limit on this stretch of road.

h. Information on a temporary road closure of Huntick Road, Lytchett Matravers from 15 February for 3 weeks was received.

i. Blandford Road Action Group. Copy of recent minutes are in circulation to Cllrs. Continued………………………. 115

313/09 TO CONSIDER RENEWAL OF ANNUAL BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP FOR THE DORSET WILDLIFE TRUST: After discussion it was proposed, seconded and RECOMMENDED to renew the Dorset Wildlife Trust Membership of £100 plus VAT for another year.

314/09 TO DISCUSS STREET NAME PLATE PROVISION: As there has been many complaints from residents about the length of time it takes PDC to replace Street Nameplates a suggestion for the Town Council to repair and replace them was put forward. After discussion it was proposed, seconded and RECOMMENDED that a letter will be sent to PDC Chief Executive to put forward proposals for repair and replacement nameplates \and costings.

315/09 TO REVIEW EXPENDITURE AGAINST BUDGETS: The expenditure against budget for the period to date was reviewed and agreed by the Committee.

316/09 REPORTS ON AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY: Roads and Pavements Cllr P Rusling The road surface on the A350 from the Cemetery to Sturminster Marshall has completely broken up. The Town Clerk will write to Andy Ackerman DCC, to express the Town Councils concern on the condition of the road.

Waste and Recycling Report Cllr P F Johns The PDC application for funding to provide a kerbside food waste collection was unsuccessful. It is worth noting that DCC supported the application and offered financial support. The council will continue to try to obtain the necessary funding for this additional collection. Formation of Joint Waste Authority The proposal for all the Dorset councils to join together to provide one waste authority is progressing at a pace with the possibility of service improvements and considerable cost reductions. However if the proposals come to fruition PDC would not be able to take part until the expiry of the PDC/SITA waste collection contract in late 2013.

Street Furniture Cllr C Davies None.

Open Spaces Lytchett Bay View None

Jubilee Gardens A Cherry tree will be planted on 28 January in memory of a resident’s mother.

St. Martins Park The seat still requires attention.

Davenport Close Cllr Griffin has drafted a letter regarding Phase 1 of the proposed work on the area, to go out to all residents in Davenport Close. Cllr Small will obtain a copy of the layout to go out with the letters.

Continued…………………………. 116

316/09 REPORTS ON AREAS OF RESPONSIBILTY:(Cont) Open Access Issues Cllr Mrs J M Richards None

Overgrowing vegetation To date 9 letters have been sent out, 5 of which have been resolved, and 2 referred to the DCC Enforcement Officer. There has been nothing further to report to date. In the absence of Cllr Skelton, Cllr. Rickard has agreed to check on any overgrown vegetation. Feedback from Cllrs was positive with letters encouraging residents to take action to maintain their hedges responsibly.

317/09 HIGHWAYS MATTERS: None.

318/09 RIGHTS OF WAY OFFICERS REPORT: None.

319/09 TREE WARDEN’S REPORT: The following TPO information was received:

Applications

109.09/10 South Lytchett Manor Camping & Caravan Park, Lytchett Minster, (Poole Conservation Area)

Fell 1 Oak

111.09/10 17 Dorchester Road, Upton, Poole (TPO)

Crown lift 3 Oaks

114.09/10 Friars Green, New Road, Lytchett Minster, Poole (Conservation Area)

Fell 1 Silver Birch

Consent/Refusal 085.09/10 The Old Button Shop, 58 Dorchester Road, Lytchett Minster (TPO)

Crown lift 1 Oak

Refuse Consent

None.

320/09 ITEMS OF REPORT AND MATTERS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS: a) The judging of the Best Kept Front Garden will be done by Barbara Moulton and Cllr Mrs Davies will be asked if she would like to assist.

b) Cllr Small attended a PACT meeting at Lytchett Way on 25 January 2010 and felt it was a useful forum to meet with residents.

continued…………………. 117

320/09 ITEMS OF REPORT AND MATTERS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS:(Cont) c) It was reported that the roadsweeper does not do a very good job of sweeping the roads, particularly in cul-de-sacs. A letter will be sent to PDC regarding the inadequacy of the street cleaning vehicle, and to ask if an operative could get out of the cab and sweep leaves towards the vehicle.

d) The condition of the Recreation Ground Car Park is cause for concern. Cllr Small will undertake to find out who is legally responsible for the Car Park.

e) Cllr Griffin expressed concern about the amount of litter on the roadside from the Cemetery to Limberlost. The Town Clerk will write to PDC to check whether the SITA lorries are being sheeted when travelling.

f) Cllr Mrs Pryor will mend the Town Council flag.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.50 pm.

Long term outstanding items: Footbridge over the bypass Undergrounding lines in the Lytchett Minster Conservation Area

Chairman……………………………………………

Date…………………………………………………..