Decisions

Reason(s) for Decisions:

(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 new route is expedient and therefore Dorset Council can itself confirm the order.

Before confirming a public path creation, diversion or extinguishment order a council or the Secretary of State must have regard to any material provision of a rights of way improvement plan prepared by the local highway authority. Dorset’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan sets out a strategy for improving its network of Public Rights of Way, wider access and outdoor public space.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

No. Current route obstructed by deer grids and closed by temporary Traffic Regulation Order.  Proposed new route already in use by the public.

A full consultation was carried out in November / December 2019

(a) The application to divert parts of Bridleway 22, Bere Regis as shown on Drawing 19/11 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

If the Order is unopposed, it be confirmed by the Council.

The map is available on request from Democratic Services.

Decision

That Dorset Council enter into a contract with Homes England for the grant of £808,555 to support the Bridport Cohousing Development on terms to be approved by the Monitoring Officer and Section.151 Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety.

Reason for Decision

To support the community led development of 53 affordable homes.

Decision

That the press and the public be excluded for the following item(s) in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Decision

(a)       That the consultation proposals and the content of the consultation as set out in Appendix A of the report to Place Scrutiny Committee of 24 October 2019 be approved.

(b)       That the extension of the current Dog-related PSPO’s in the former East Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland council areas until 31 December 2020 be approved.

Reason for Decision

A single Dog-related PSPO for the council area will help ensure consistency, fairness and clarity for residents and visitors to Dorset and will assist the efficient use of enforcement resources. 

While it is a requirement to consult with stakeholders prior to introducing a PSPO, it is appropriate to define the parameters of the consultation in order to avoid generating unworkable proposals or raising unreasonable expectations.

A number of Dog-related PSPOs currently in place from predecessor councils will expire during the period of the making of the new Order. Should those expiry dates not be extended, it will not be possible to enforce the relevant requirements for public safety and animal welfare.

Decision

That the report on the Inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services Focused Visit, the progress made and the next steps for the council in improving children’s services be received and noted.

Reason for Decision

To formally notify Cabinet of the outcome of the inspection, together with the Council’s responses to the findings of the visit.

Decision

(a)       That the Council makes the Motcombe Neighbourhood Plan 2017 - 2027 (as set out in Appendix A of the report of 10 December 2019) part of the statutory development plan for the Motcombe neighbourhood area.

(b)       That the Council agrees to make a small number of minor (non-material) modifications to the neighbourhood plan in order to rename references to Site 4 from “land at Shire Meadows” to “land at Bittles Green” throughout the document. (These modifications were set out in Appendix B of the report of 10 December 2019.)

(c)        That the Council offers its congratulations to Motcombe Parish Council and members of the Neighbourhood Plan Group in producing a successful neighbourhood plan.

Reason for Decision

To make the Motcombe Neighbourhood Plan part of the statutory development plan for the Motcombe Neighbourhood Area within the 8 week time limit set by legislation.

The Parish Council (the qualifying body) had requested that Site 4 should be renamed.

To recognise the significate amount of work undertaken by the Parish Council and members of the Neighbourhood Plan Group in preparing the neighbourhood plan and to congratulate both the parish Council and the Group ion their success.

Decision

(a)       That the draft Local Industrial Strategy (LIS) for Dorset be endorsed;

(b)       That this Council’s agreement to any minor changes requested by Government (in early 2020) be delegated to the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Skills;

(c)        That Dorset Council seeks to support implementation of the Dorset LIS through appropriate alignment with its own Economic Growth Strategy, due to be presented to Cabinet members in Spring 2020.

Reason for Decision

It is critical that Dorset can articulate a clear, well-evidenced economic ambition to Government, whilst also giving confidence to local business and future private investors.  It is important that, when required, Dorset can move at pace to respond to both public and private investment opportunities.  A Local Industrial Strategy for Dorset with an aligned Council economic growth strategy and action plan, utilising the same economic analysis, will enable sustainable economic growth and prosperity for Dorset.

Decision

(a)       That the updated draft of the Poole Harbour Recreation Supplementary Planning Document 2019-2024 be adopted;

(b)       That any additional textual changes or amendments to the supplementary planning document be delegated to the Executive Director for Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

Reason for Decision

The SDP will add further detail to adopted and emerging policies in local plans and outline a process for securing contributions to fund mitigation measures required to avoid adverse effects on European sites in accordance with the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

Decision

 (a)      That the short term/immediate need for action to address the High Needs Block overspend, taking into account the impact on children and schools as set out at Section 4.1 of the report of 10 December 2019 be approved;

(b)       That the strategic aims and priorities be approved.

(c)        That officers be instructed to undertake further forensic examination of opportunities to meet the strategic aims including:-

·         breakdown of spending and projected savings;

·         more detailed modelling of impact on individual & groups of children and Schools

As set out in Sections 1.4, 1.5 , 1.6 and Section 4.2 of the report of 10 December 2019;

(d)       That in the light of the detrimental effect on individual school budgets, Members agreed not to pursue a block transfer of funds from the schools block to the high needs block for the next 3 years.

These relate to the financial years of 21/22, 22/23, 23/24. (as set out in Section 4.2 of the report of 10 December 2019)

Reason for the Decision

Given the value of annual and accumulated deficit failure to address these will result in a significant future pressure. In the meantime, the deficit remains on the council balance sheet, subject to DfE funding rules.

It is essential to balance the provision for children with SEND with the cumulative demand for school budgets to balance.

In the particular case of a block funding transfer from school budgets to the high needs block; this lessens the ability of schools to operate inclusively and presents additional challenges to their budgets which are already amongst the lowest funded in the country. An inclusive mainstream provision for children is required as a condition necessary to achieve high needs overspend reduction. To reduce funding to mainstream schools prevents them from being able to deliver this element of the overall strategy.

That the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy be adopted subject to the following amendments:-

(a)       That the sentence "the council ... policies" in paragraph 9.1 of the report be replaced by "The policy will be reviewed on a regular basis by the relevant portfolio holder and will be taken through the committee process every three years  to ensure that it reflects the latest legalisation, best practice and other council policies."

(b)       That the term "local characteristics" be changed to "Dorset Council's protected characteristics".

(c)       That a minimum of one key performance indicator be developed for equality and diversity once the Council Plan is finalised.

Reason for Decision

The Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy would ensure that the Council was delivering services fairly and meeting the needs of Dorset communities whilst also being a fair and inclusive employer.

The policy would ensure that the Council was meeting its statutory duties as contained in the Equality Act 2010.

Decision

That the “Going Forward” section of the report be approved and that the plans/actions set out within the report of 10 December 2019 be used to address the areas identified for improvement.

Reason for Decision

To be assured that plans are in place that  identifies gaps and areas for development and will support practice improvement to strengthen outcomes for children.

Reason for Decision

To conserve the public amenity of specific parts of the Dorchester Conservation Area, by preventing loss of further features which contribute to the character of the conservation area.

Alternative Options considered and Rejected

1. Not to make an Article 4 Direction - this is likely to lead to further loss of walls, gates and other means of enclosure which contribute to the character of the conservation area.

2. Not to make an immediate Article 4 Direction.  This would result in raising the profile of the issue, and there would be a much longer time during which walls, gates and boundary features could be removed through permitted development rights.

To approve the making of an Article 4 Direction for specific parts of the Dorchester Conservation Area as drafted in the original report.