Meeting documents

There were no apologies for absence.

For information, Cllr Parry arrived at the meeting a little late as he had to attend a previous meeting.

There were no declarations by members of disclosable pecuniary interests under the Code of Conduct.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2018 were confirmed and signed.

Public Speaking

There were no public questions received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(1).

There were no public statements received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(2).

Petitions

There were no petitions received at the meeting in accordance with the County Council’s Petition Scheme.

The Cabinet considered the draft Forward Plan, which identified key decisions to be taken by the Cabinet on or after the next meeting.  Cllr Knox highlighted that it was appropriate that the Forward Plan was diminishing as the new Dorset Council was approaching.  The next meeting of the Cabinet would be on Wednesday 6 March 2019 and there was a reserve date in the diary of Wednesday 27 March 2019 which would be used to ensure all business was completed and signed off prior to the start of the new Council.

Items for consideration included a proposal for Better Care Funding and an item on the Bridport Care Village.

Noted

To consider a report from the Cabinet Member for Natural and Built Environment.  This report was also considered by the Shadow Executive at their meeting on 17 December 2018.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Cabinet Member for Natural and Built Environment which included a draft Statement of Common Ground (SoCG) which documented the cross-boundary matters being addressed in emerging local plans and also set out any progress in co-operating to address these.  The draft SoCG had been prepared jointly by local authorities in Dorset and had also been presented to the pan Dorset Strategic Planning Forum.  The Shadow Executive had also considered and approved this report at their meeting on 17 December 2018.

Cllr Haynes felt this report was a really good piece of work which showed authorities the way forward and was clear to read and understand.

Cllr Wharf, in his role as Vice-Chairman of the pan Dorset Strategic Planning Forum advised that the SoCG had now been agreed by all sovereign authorities, including Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

Resolved

That the draft Statement on Common Ground be approved.

Reason for Decision

To comply with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework in demonstration that the duty to co-operate was being met.

Recommendation 65 – Proposed parking restrictions on the C8, West Road, West Lulworth

Members received a statement from the Weld Estates supporting the Order and is attached as an Annexure to these minutes.

The Cabinet Member for Natural and Built Environment highlighted to members the minutes from the Regulatory Committee relating to this item when it was considered.

Resolved

That the Traffic Regulation Order for extending the current waiting restrictions northwards and southwards on West Road (C8) at West Lulworth be approved and introduced as advertised.

Reason for Decision

To avoid danger to persons or other traffic using the road and preventing the likelihood of any such danger arising and for facilitating the passage on the road, of any class of traffic, including pedestrians.

Recommendation 66 – Proposed Puffin Pedestrian Crossing – Broad Street- Lyme Regis

Members were advised that a site meeting had been held on 18 December 2018 to explore potential ways of mitigating the loss of on-street car parking following the Regulatory Committee meeting on 6 December 2018 and an update for members was provided with their papers.

The Cabinet Member for Natural and Built Environment who was also the local member for Lyme Regis, made reference to a recent dialogue with Mr Robinson (one of the speakers) which had been very informative and helpful in the process. He had met with officers on site and felt there was now a pragmatic solution to the loss of parking. For reasons of safety and equality he felt he must support the crossing and highlighted the need to treat all issues as a single scheme.  He asked that a third recommendation be considered that ‘he work with Officers to look at the package of measures highlighted in the update report to mitigate the loss of parking spaces in Broad Street and to investigate funding for the whole scheme’.  In respect of costs the works would cost around £80k and would come from the Local Transport Plan (LTP) Budget.

Members received statements from Mr & Mrs Haines, Cllr Reynolds, Ms Wiscombe, Mr Robinson, Mr Hyde, Cllr Miller and Cllr Doney which supported the installation of a Puffin Crossing and are attached as an Annexure to these minutes.

Following a reference made regarding an extra-ordinary meeting of Lyme Regis Town Council, the Chairman advised that any action today would be in line with what the County Council and the new Dorset Council could achieve and any other comments would be for the Town Council to deal with.

In response to comments made about any potential equality issues, the Chief Executive made reference to the equalities impact assessment contained in the report considered by the Regulatory Committee which stated there would be neutral impact on any sector of the community on the grounds of gender, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, sex, married or civil partnerships or other socially excluded groups and not in respect of disability.  There was more than a slight positive impact for people with protected characteristics relating to age,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 2018 were noted.

Following a question from the Cabinet Member for Health and Care regarding support for care leavers in respect of appropriate accommodation and support for Universal Credit, the Director for Children’s Services advised that there was a variety of types of accommodation that were used.  The type of accommodation used was dependent on the amount of support required by the care leaver.  Those with significant problems needed to be placed in semi-independent placements which could be quite costly to the Authority.  Accommodation was pre-commissioned and of a high standard.  Personal Assistants to support those care leavers that needed them were employed by the County Council. 

Cllr Haynes added that many care leavers found managing money difficult and in respect of Universal Credit this was a concern.

Noted

The Cabinet Member for Health and Care advised members that Bournemouth and Poole wished to make amendments to these minutes and therefore would not be presented at this time.

Noted

To consider an urgent report from the Cabinet Member for Community and Resources.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Cabinet Member for Community and Resources that highlighted the need for approval of expenditure of up to a further £400k of programme expenditure to meet the revised anticipated costs in 2018-19. The Cabinet heard that based on the Programme Director’s report to the Shadow Executive this would then be sufficient to cover all of Dorset County Council’s share of programme costs in 2018-19.  All further programme costs for 2019-20 would need to be met by Dorset Council as there would be no residual LGR funding set aside by Dorset County Council to transfer to the new authority.

Resolved

That the additional spend of up to £400,000 by Dorset County Council in respect of their share of the LGR programme costs be approved.

Reason for Decision

Additional programme costs had been approved by Shadow Dorset Council and Dorset County Council’s share of these was over the current approved sum.

To answer any questions received in writing by the Chief Executive by not later than 10.00am on Friday 11 January 2019.

A question was received from Cllr Nick Ireland to the Cabinet Member for Community and Resources in respect of the LGR Programme Budget.

The question and answer are attached as an annexure to these minutes.

The Cabinet Member for Community and Resources added that as the new Dorset Council was not yet in existence spending needed to be adopted by the existing councils.  He noted that a better programme than anticipated was being produced and that this was a good news story and would make Dorset Council better.