Agenda and minutes

Proposed by Cllr Susan Cocking, seconded by Cllr Nick Ireland.

Resolved:  That Cllr John Worth be elected as Vice-Chairman for the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Louie O'Leary and Bill Pipe.

To receive any declarations of interest

Cllr Nick Ireland declared an interest in Item 6 on the agenda as a member of the Petitions Panel that had made recommendations in relation to the Park District area parking permit.  He would not take part in the debate or vote on this item.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2021were confirmed as a correct record and would be signed at a future date.

To receive questions or statements on the business of the committee from town and parish councils and members of the public.

Public speaking has been suspended for virtual committee meetings during the Covid-19 crisis and public participation will be dealt with through written submissions only.

Members of the public who live, work or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area, may submit up to two questions or a statement of up to a maximum of 450 words.  All submissions must be sent electronically to denise.hunt@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by the deadline set out below.  When submitting a question please indicate who the question is for and include your name, address and contact details.  Questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda.

Questions will be read out by an officer of the council and a response given by the appropriate Portfolio Holder or officer at the meeting.  All questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.  The deadline for submission of the full text of a question or statement is 8.30am on Tuesday 6 April 2021.

Representations by the public to the Committee on individual planning applications are detailed below. There were no questions, petitions or deputations received on other items on this occasion.

To consider a report by the Executive Director of Place.

The Committee considered an application to divert parts of Footpaths 23 and 24, Owermoigne at Lower Watercombe House as shown on Drawing P205/20/1.

The Senior Definitive Map Technical Officer presented the application and recommendations and responded to technical queries.  She confirmed that the current "walked route" had not been considered due to the landowner not being in favour of this option for reasons of privacy and security.

Members discussed the consequences of reopening the definitive footpath if the application was refused, as well as discounting of the "walked route" option by the landowner.  There was particular concern regarding the water meadows with a request for appropriate land drainage along the proposed route.

Legal advice was provided that the committee should consider the proposal before it and whether this met the statutory legal tests rather than whether there was a better legal alternative.

Proposed by Cllr Nick Ireland, seconded by Cllr Dave Bolwell.

Decision:

That:

a)   The application to divert parts of Footpaths 23 and 24, Owermoigne at Lower Watercombe House be accepted and an order made;

b)   The Order include provisions to modify the definitive map and statement to record the changes made as a consequence of the diversion; and

c)   If the Order is unopposed, or objections are withdrawn, it may be confirmed by the Council without further reference to the Committee.

d)   If objections to the Order are received and are of a similar nature to those already considered by the Committee it may be submitted to the Secretary of State for confirmation without further reference to the Committee.

Reason for Recommendations:

a)   The proposed diversion meets the legal criteria set out in the Highways Act 1980.

b)   The inclusion of these provisions in a public path order means that there is no need for a separate legal event order to modify the definitive map and statement as a result of the diversion.

c)   Accordingly, the absence of objections may be taken as acceptance that the proposed diversion is expedient and therefore Dorset Council can itself confirm the order.

In the event that objections of a similar nature to those already considered in this report are received to the order, the Committee will have already considered the objections in the light of the legal criteria and therefore it may be submitted to the Secretary of State for confirmation without further reference to the Committee.

To consider a report by the Executive Director of Place.

The Committee considered a proposal concerning changes to the resident parking permit in Zones A & C of the Park District Area of Weymouth, Dorset.

The Service Manager for Parking Services gave a presentation to members and three of the written statements received from members of the public were read out at the meeting. All of the written statements that were received are attached as an appendix to these minutes.

Cllr Jon Orrell - Dorset Council - Melcombe Regis, addressed the committee concerning the central issue of too many permits for the number of parking spaces in the area.  He considered that the recommendations were the right balance as they gave residents the opportunity to park near their homes as well as a nearby parking area for guest house and hotel guests.

Members asked whether it would be possible to extend use of the Swannery Car Park to residents who were unable to find a space in the residential area; whether the number of electric charging points could be increased and the duration of the Covid testing area in the car park.

They were informed that a current review of parking permits sought to address the principle of use of nearby car parks by resident permit holders; that increasing the number of electric charging points would be fed back to the electric vehicle project team and that the Covid testing site would be moved to an alternative location in the Weymouth area at the start of the Summer period.

A proposal to include Lodmoor Car Park in addition to Swannery Car Park for visitors staying in guesthouses and hotels in the permit area was supported by the Committee.

Proposed by Cllr John Worth, seconded by Cllr Susan Cocking.

Decision: That having considered the representations received, in response to public advertisement, that the Committee be recommended to support the proposed changes to the Park District area residents parking permit zones A and C as follows:

i) That establishments within the Zones A & C areas of Weymouth identified as Hotels, Guest Houses, Holiday Homes and Air B & B’s be provided with a like for like allocation of permits (should they wish to purchase them) for the Swannery Car Park and Lodmoor Car Park. Guests visiting these establishments will still be able to park outside the property to drop off their luggage and check-in before receiving a permit and re-positioning their vehicle into the Swannery Car Park.

ii) That all residential establishments be restricted to a maximum of 2 permits per household. All units in Houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) would need to be considered individually for the purpose of allocation.

iii) That residential properties with private driveways be excluded from the scheme or set at a maximum of one, subject to point ii) being agreed.

iv) That the one-hour maximum wait is confined only to the periods between 9am – 6pm, thereby allowing visitors to businesses to continue, with residents only and no one-hour wait between the hours of 6pm and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972

The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items.