Parish Assembly Weds 6th May

The 2009 Parish Assembly will be held at the Bayview Caravan Park at 7.00pm on Weds 6th May.



These are the minutes of last year's meeting:



Minutes of the PARISH MEETING of the Parish of Swanage, held at the Town Hall, Swanage on
WEDNESDAY, 7th MAY 2008 at 7 o’clock p.m.


Councillor Gary Suttle, Town Mayor, was in the Chair, and, in addition to members of the Council and officials, 34 persons were present.


Chairman – Councillor G.M. Suttle (Town Mayor)

In attendance:-
Councillor Mrs. C. Gainsborough
Councillor M. Hadley
Councillor Mrs. G.A. Marsh
Councillor S. Poultney
Councillor Mrs. A. Turner
Councillor W.S. Trite
Councillor M. Whitwam


Before the commencement of the Meeting, the Clerk outlined the procedure that would be followed during the Meeting. All registered electors in attendance had been issued with blue cards, and other interested parties (not on the electoral register) were allowed to attend the Meeting at the Chairman’s discretion.

1. APOLOGIES
Apologies for their inability to attend the Meeting were received from Councillors Audley, Bright, Gloyn-Cox and Pratt, and Mr. J. Wootton.

2. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Parish Meeting held on 21st May 2007 were approved as a correct record and signed. (Copies of the Minutes were circulated to those present at the Meeting).

Arising from the Minutes, the following matters were raised:-

MR. P. CLARK enquired when the Public Report on the Bay View Holiday Park would be published. He was informed that the Options Appraisal was almost completed and that a Report would be included in the next edition of “Swanage Matters” which would be published shortly.

MR. P. CLARK then referred to Page 3 of the Minutes and enquired whether the Council’s management accounts were being produced on a monthly basis, in keeping with “best practice” procedures adopted elsewhere. He also enquired whether it was the Town Council’s intention to appoint a CIPFA qualified accountant. The TOWN MAYOR confirmed that the management accounts were presented to the Council on a regular monthly basis. Consideration had been given to the appointment of a CIPFA qualified accountant, but having regard to the Council’s limited financial resources, negotiations were currently being undertaken with Poole Borough Council for the provision of accountancy services on a consultancy basis.
MR. FOOKS referred to the piece of land adjoining Day’s Park (approximately 1/3rd of an acre) and maintenance work that had recently been carried out in this area. He requested that this area be included within the Council’s regular maintenance programme, and enquired whether the land is designated as being within an area of outstanding natural beauty. He was assured that his request would be referred to the Council’s Operations Manager. The land was not specifically designated as being within an area of outstanding natural beauty.

3. GENERAL ISSUES
The Mayor then opened the Meeting for general discussion, and invited questions and comments from the audience.

COUNCILLOR M. HADLEY requested that the Minutes of the Annual Parish Assembly be made available as soon as possible after the Meeting.

MR. I. SAUNDERS referred to income received by the De Moulham Trust and expressed the opinion that monies should be made available from this source for the maintenance of the service roads within the De Moulham Estate, as a matter of priority.

COL. SQUIRREL drew attention to the termination of the lease of the Mowlem restaurant and bars with Badger Breweries. He was anxious that this tenancy should not affect the future of the theatre, which should be secured for the benefit of the residents of Swanage, and suggested that the Town Council considers sponsorship of the theatre if the Trust is unable to secure a suitable tenant.

The TOWN MAYOR welcomed representatives from Dorset Police and introduced Inspector Ashley Adams, the Section Commander for Purbeck.

MR. I. MACKENZIE expressed his concern regarding the stability of the wall on the western side of Shore Road in the vicinity of Battlegate toilets and enquired whether responsibility for the wall had been established. He also enquired when the pedestrian crossing would be re-instated as he was concerned for the safety of pedestrians with the approach of the busy summer season. He was informed that the ownership/responsibility for the wall was being researched by both Purbeck District Council and Dorset County Council but no clear ownership had been established at the present time. COUNTY COUNCILLOR DONALD HIETT gave an assurance that he would pursue the re-instatement of the pedestrian crossing with Dorset County Council as a matter of urgency.

MR. P. CLARK reported that the proposed closure of the Swanage Household Recycling Centre was a matter of major concern to the residents of Swanage and the surrounding villages. He strongly criticised the way in which the matter had been dealt with by Dorset County Council, and PROPOSED:-
That the matter be put on the Agenda of the next full
evening meeting of the Swanage Town Council and that,
prior to the meeting, the Council seeks to obtain an up-to-date
report on the matter from Purbeck District Council.

This proposition was seconded by MR. I. MACKENZIE and RESOLVED.

MR. D. SPINDLER enquired as to the ownership of the former Grammar School building, which he understood had recently changed hands. He was informed that the Council was also aware of this rumour, but had no further information on the matter.

MRS. SPINDLER was concerned at the total disregard of the speed limits in Northbrook Road by some motorists and requested that action be taken to deter this practice. Her comments were endorsed by MS. P. KEELING who highlighted her concerns at “boy racers” in the High Street. They were advised by Police Officers in attendance at the Meeting, that in certain circumstances a Section 59 Notice could be served on persistent offenders, which may result in the confiscation of the vehicle and a fine of £125 being issued.

MR. I. ALLEN reported that the Swanage Town and Community Partnership had made recommendations to Dorset County Council regarding traffic improvements that could be introduced in Swanage, and COUNCILLOR M. HADLEY also reported on traffic issues that were being raised by the Town Council’s Transport Committee.

COUNCILLOR HADLEY then referred to the increasing number of vehicles that were parking in the vicinity of the Stone Quay, and expressed his concern for the safety of pedestrians in the area.

MR. I. SAUNDERS enquired whether the Town Council had made provision for the overnight parking of camper vans in its car parks and was informed that the Council’s Off-Street Parking Order had been amended to allow for the parking of camper vans for one night only in Main Beach and North Beach Car Parks with effect from 1st April 2008.

Other traffic issues raised included the proximity of the town centre traffic lights, illegal parking and lack of enforcement, and a request for consideration to be given to the introduction of a ½ hourly parking charge at the Residents’ Car Park.

MR. SARGENT, a caravan owner at the Swanage Bay View Holiday Park, referred to the recent resignation of the Tourist Information Centre Manager. He was very appreciative of the services provided by the Tourist Information Centre and enquired whether this worthwhile post would be filled, bearing in mind the current economic climate. The changing requirements of the tourism industry were explained by the TOWN MAYOR and he reported that the future provision of these services were to be considered at a meeting with the Economic Development Officer/Tourism Officer at Purbeck District Council to be held the following day.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next Parish Assembly was scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 6th May 2009 at 7.00 p.m.

The meeting concluded at 8.20 p.m.