Decisions

That: The application to divert parts of Footpaths 71 & 72, Beaminster be accepted and an Order made; 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. (Decision taken is detailed within the Scheme of Delegation in the Council’s Constitution.)

That: The application to divert parts of Footpaths 71 & 72, Beaminster be accepted and an Order made; 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. (Decision taken is detailed within the Scheme of Delegation in the Council’s Constitution.)

Openreach, 23 November 2023 between 0930 and 1530 – WALDITCH ROAD, WALDITCH between the entrances to The Hyde.

 

 

 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to carry out urgent works in the highway to restore customer service.

 

 

 

Urgent works therefore no consultation carried out.

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to carry out urgent works in the highway to restore customer service.

Openreach, 23 November 2023 until 24 November 2023 between 0930 and 1530 – WHITECROSS, NETHERBURY between its junction with Bungalow Lane and White Cottage.

 

 

 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to carry out urgent works in the highway to restore customer service.

 

 

 

Urgent works therefore no consultation carried out.

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to carry out urgent works in the highway to restore customer service.

Dorset Council (Parts of Footpaths 79 and 92, Weymouth at Curtis Fields) Public Path Diversion Order 2022 The effect of the order will be to divert parts of Footpath 79 and 92, Weymouth under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (‘the 1990 Act’).

 

The current definitive routes of Footpaths 79 and 92, Weymouth are affected by the development at Curtis Fields. The footpaths pass through several of the houses, gardens and new road layout. The proposed new footpaths run through the new development. It was agreed that a Section 38 agreement under the Highways Act 1980 would compensate for the loss of Footpaths 79 and 92, Weymouth through open fields by creating additional new footpaths through similar habitat.

 

An amendment is now made to an earlier delegated decision (15 July 2022) that the above order should not be confirmed until the agreement under Section 38 of the Highways Act 1980 has been signed between Betterment Properties and Dorset Council undertaking that additional footpaths become adopted highways within the Local Greenspace adjacent the development. The prior requirement for an agreement under Section 38 of the Highways Act 1980 is replaced by an agreement under Section 106 of the 1990 Act. (Decision taken is detailed within the Scheme of Delegation in the Council’s Constitution.)

Decision: Dorset Council (Parts of Footpaths 79 and 92, Weymouth at Curtis Fields) Public Path Diversion Order 2022

South West Water 07 December 2023 between 0800 and 1700 – 

 

[1] ROMAN ROAD, LYME REGIS between its junction with Haye Lane and a point approximately 35 metres north east. 

 

[2] WOODMEAD ROAD, LYME REGIS between its junction with Windsor Terrace and number 19.

 

 

 

This Notice will enable South West Water safe access to install sewer level equipment.

 

 

 

 

 

Consultation period:  12 October 2023 – 22 November 2023

 

 

 

Following consultation, no comments received.

This Notice will enable South West Water safe access to install sewer level equipment.

Openreach, 6 December 2023 - 8 December 2023 between 09:30 – 15:30 – Market Way, Wimborne Minster in its entirety

 

 

 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to lay new underground duct in the highway.

 

Following consultation, no comments received.

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to lay new underground duct in the highway.

Dorset Council Highways 4 December 2023 between 0930 and 1530 – New Road Nether Compton between Common Close and Flax Lane (in both directions), a distance of approximately 200 metres

 

 

 

This Notice will enable Dorset Council to carry out carriageway maintenance and resurfacing works.

 

 

 

Consultation period:  1 November 2023 – 20 November 2023

 

 

 

Following consultation, no comments received.

 

 

This Notice will enable Dorset Council to carry out carriageway maintenance and resurfacing works.

Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd 6 December 2023 until 9 December 2023 – GAS HOUSE HILL, SHERBORNE LEVEL CROSSING at either side of the level crossing, a distance of approximately 60 metres.

 

 

 

This Notice will enable Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd safe access to carry out planned level crossing maintenance

 

 

 

Consultation period:  10 October 2023 – 14 November 2023

 

 

 

Following consultation, no comments received. 

This Notice will enable Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd safe access to carry out planned level crossing maintenance.

Openreach 6 December 2023  – ALLOTMENT HILL, IBBERTON from outside Woolland View, Leigh to outside Holmwood, Ibberton (in both directions), a distance of approximately 180 metres

 

 

 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to renew a pole renewal.

 

 

 

Consultation period:  10 October 2023 – 14 November 2023

 

 

 

Following consultation, no comments received. 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to renew a pole renewal.

Wessex Water 6 December 2023 between 0930 and 1530 – COOMBE, SHERBORNE from the junction with Nethercoombe Lane to outside 95 Coombe (in both directions), a distance of approximately 60 metres.

 

 

 

This Notice will enable Wessex Water safe access to to make a permanent reinstatement.

 

 

 

Consultation period:  10 October 2023 until 14 November 2023 

 

 

 

Following consultation, no comments received. 

This Notice will enable Wessex Water safe access to to make a permanent reinstatement..

Ferns Group 30 November 2023 08:00 and 18:00 – Parkgate, Hazelbury Bryan from outside Fiddlers Green, Park Gate to a point approximately 200 metres to the south (in both directions), a distance of approximately 490 metres.  

 

 

 

This Notice will enable to allow Ferns Group agents on behalf of Openreach to carry out a pole replacement. 

 

 

 

Consultation period:  25 September 2023 – 6 November 2023 

 

 

 

Following consultation, no comments received. 

This Notice will enable to allow Ferns Group agents on behalf of Openreach to carry out a pole replacement.  

Openreach 29 November 2023 – BOOKHAM LANE, ALTON PANCRAS between the entrance to Ball Farm and Bookham Farmhouse, a distance of approximately 1000 metres

 

 

 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to replace a telegraph pole.

 

 

 

Consultation period:  25 September 2023 – 6 November 2023 

 

 

 

Following consultation, no comments received.

 

 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to replace a telegraph pole.

Openreach 4 December 2023 between 0930 and 1530 – C20, Fifehead Neville from the access road leading to Hambledon to a point approximately 210 metres to the north  (in both directions). 

 

 

 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to replace and renew a telegraph pole in the highway.

 

 

 

Consultation period:  25 September 2023 – 6 November 2023

 

 

 

Following consultation, no comments received. 

 

 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to replace and renew a telegraph pole in the highway.

Openreach 1 December 2023 between 0930 and 1530 – C20, PLUMBER from the Access Road leading to Plumber Manor to outside Coolplay Ltd (in both directions), a distance of approximately 770 metres

 

 

 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to replace and renew a telegraph pole in the highway.

 

 

 

Consultation period:  25 September 2023 – 6 November 2023

 

 

 

Following consultation, no comments received. 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to replace and renew a telegraph pole in the highway.

Openreach, 5 December 2023 between 09:30 – 14:30 - Unnamed Road, Edmondsham between Heavy Horse Farm and a point approximately 180 metres to the east

 

 

 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to carry out pole replacement works in the highway.

 

 

 

Following consultation, no comments received.

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to carry out pole replacement works in the highway.

Openreach 6 December 2023 between 0930 and 1430 – C12 Old Sherborne Road, Charminster 

 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to carry out pole testing. 

 

Consultation period:  N/A 

 

Following consultation, no comments received/comments received;  N/A.

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to carry out pole testing.

Wessex Water - emergency 21-day notice came in to operation on 21 November 2023 and can remain in force for up to 21 days, however it is anticipated that the works will be completed by 1 December 2023 – Lions Lane, Ashley Heath between St Leonards Way and Grosvenor Close 

 

This Notice will enable Wessex Water safe access to carry out emergency works to a collapsed sewer. 

Emergency works therefore no consultation carried out.

 

This Notice will enable Wessex Water safe access to carry out emergency works to a collapsed sewer.

Approved 

 

Wessex Water, 17 November 2023 until 21 November 2023 – UNNAMED ROAD, BEER HACKETT between its junction with Church Close and Stone Cottage. 

 

This Notice will enable Wessex Water safe access to carry out urgent service repair.  

 

Urgent works therefore no consultation carried out. 

 

Approved 

 

Openreach, 09 November 2023 between 0930 and 1530 – C96, SOUTH BOWOOD between the entrance to Strode Manor Farm and its junction with Bungalow Lane. 

 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to carry out urgent works in the highway to restore customer service. 

 

Urgent works therefore no consultation carried out. 

 

Dorset Council 15 November 2023 – 6 December 2023 – Unclassified road, Tincleton

 

 

 

This Notice will enable Dorset Council safe access to carry out emergency assessment of the affected area to identify/undertake associated remedial works.

 

 

 

Consultation period:  N/A AS EMERGENCY

 

 

 

Following consultation, no comments received/comments received; N/A.

Approved to enable Dorset Council safe access to carry out emergency assessment of the affected area to identify/undertake associated remedial works.

Dorset Council 30 November 2023 until 09 December 2023 between 2000 and 0600 – B3162, BRIDPORT between its junction with Hospital Lane and the roundabout. 

 

This Order will enable Dorset Council safe access to carry out carriageway maintenance works. 

 

Consultation not carried out by the Traffic Team.

Approved to enable Dorset Council safe access to carry out carriageway maintenance works. 

Openreach, 15 November 2023 between 0930 and 1530 – B3162, LAYMORE between its junction with B3165 and entrance to Liddel Cottage. 

 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to carry out urgent works in the highway to restore customer service. 

 

Urgent works therefore no consultation carried out. 

 

Approved to enable Openreach safe access to carry out urgent works in the highway to restore customer service. 

 

 

 

 

Openreach 27 November 2023 between 0930 and 1530 - OLD SHERBORNE ROAD, CERNE ABBAS between its junction with Piddle Lane and the entrance to Higher Southcombe Farm.

 

 

 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to carry out pole tests.

 

 

 

 

 

Consultation period:  03 October 2023 – 12 November 2023

 

 

 

Following consultation, no comments received.

Approved to enable Openreach safe access to carry out pole tests.

Wessex Water - emergency 21-day notice came in to operation on 14 November 2023 and can remain in force for up to 21 days, however it is anticipated that the works will be completed by 16 November 2023 – Bell Street, Shaftesbury between Bell Street Car Park and Parsons Pool

 

 

 

This Notice will enable Wessex Water safe access to carry out emergency works to repair a main in the highway.

 

 

 

Emergency works therefore no consultation carried out.

Approved to enable Wessex Water safe access to carry out emergency works to repair a main in the highway.

Reason for the decision

 

The current policy requires Dorset Council to follow national guidelines, which already allows Local Authorities to interpret those guidelines as they see fit.

 

The update is required to document a new approach, that would allow more sustainable Highway options to be considered once a site becomes vacant to address recruitment and retention difficulties, to make best use of limited funds and to increase road safety for the school and wider community.

 

For example, the installation of an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing combined with a reduced speed could provide a more sustainable safety feature to support the school and the wider community outside the school crossing patrol times.

 

This update is consistent with the Executive Decision Note dated 14 February 2023 that updated Dorset Councils policy for pedestrian crossing requests.

 

Alternative Options considered and rejected

 

No alternatives.

 

Consultees

 

Jack Wiltshire, Head of Highways

Kate Tunks, Service Manager, Infrastructure and Assets

Colin Moors, Highways Improvement Team Leader

Tony Burden, Road Safety Manager

Rob Camp, Schools Road Safety Officer

 

Budget Implications

 

Any removal of a school crossing patrol site will provide on average a £6k revenue saving.  Installing new Highway mitigating measures would require a one-off capital expenditure.

 

Legal Implications

 

Whilst Dorset Council adopts national guidelines for the delivery of the school crossing patrol service, there is no legal obligation to provide school crossing patrols.

 

Reference Documents

 

National School Crossing Patrol guidelines revised 2016.

 

Extract from national guidelines:

 

The School Crossing Patrol (SCP) service is a non-statutory function, and these Guidelines are not intended to be prescriptive.  They highlight issues that should be considered and outline advantages and disadvantages of adopting particular measures to allow Managers to make their own informed decisions suitable to their local circumstances and policies. 

 

Authorities providing the service should decide how best to apply the Guidelines and the criteria for assessing SCP sites.

 

Dorset Council School Crossing Patrol Policy.

 

Executive Decision Note dated 14 February 2023 that updated Dorset Councils policy for pedestrian crossing requests.

 

Authority is delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment to remove a school crossing patrol site, in favour of alternative mitigating Highway measures as proposed by an appropriate officer.

 

Approved 

 

Openreach, 21 November 2023 between 09:30 – 15:30 - Unnamed Lane, Stour Row between Green Lane and Aldborough House 

 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to carry out urgent pole replacement works in the highway. 

Urgent works therefore no consultation carried out 

 

 

Approved 

 

Openreach 22 November 2023 between 0930 and 1530 - C44, POWERSTOCK between its junction with Lime Hill and its junction with Wytherston Farm Lane. 

 

This Notice will enable Openreach safe access to carry out pole tests. 

 

 

Consultation period:  26 September 2023 – 07 November 2023 

 

Following consultation, no comments received 

 

To consider the Dorset Council response to the consultaion on the publication version (Regulation 19) of the Wiltshire Council Local Plan

(a)  That the key issues upon which a detailed response be made to the Wiltshire Local Plan consultation as outlined in the report of 7 November 2023, be acknowledged.

 

(b)  That the responses to Wiltshire Council to the key issues be finalised in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

 

Reason for the decision

 

To input into the Wiltshire Local Plan as it moves towards examination thereby fulfilling the Council’s obligations under the Duty to Cooperate.

 

Acquiring the full freehold title of leased car parking of the former East Dorset District Council Offices

The intention of this Cabinet paper is to consider the expansion of funded childcare from April 2024 and support our longer term vision of working with Early Years settings to ensure there is sufficient childcare available for children in Dorset for working families and those in education or training.

That the approach to the expansion of funded childcare offer from April 2024 be adopted.

 

Reason for the decision

 

To ensure compliance with statutory duties and any subsequent related statutory guidance to ensure there was sufficient childcare for working families.

 

Approval required as to whether mitigation for development already granted permission should continue to be delivered using CIL funds given amendments to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill.

To receive a budget update for 2024/25.

(a)  That the updated cost pressures set out in this paper and the validation work that has been carried out on them, be noted.

 

(b)  That the assumptions being used in the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP), be agreed.

 

(c)  That the financial gap arising from (a) and (b) above be noted.

 

(d)  That 2024/25 principles for budget setting, be agreed.

 

(e)  That the approach to closing the budget gap set out in this paper, recognising that this is work in progress, be noted.

 

(f)    That Cabinet continue to press local MPs and work with peers to press the case for additional funding.

 

(g)  That Portfolio Holders work with officers to continue to identify and develop further efficiencies and savings.

 

(h)  That the next steps and timetable leading up to the 2024/25 budget which would presented to full Council on 13 February 2024, to be endorsed.

 

Reason for the decision

 

Councils were required by law to set a balanced budget. Essentially this means that expenditure is balanced by income without unsustainable use of one-off, or short-term sources of finance.

The report before Cabinet on 7 November 2023 provided an update on the budget gap for 2024/25 and the subsequent years of the MTFP and gave an update on progress on action/savings to date including the 2023/24 forecast performance against budget.

 

To seek approval to the sale of Clapcotts Farmstead, Spetisbury.

(a)  That the financial position of the project and progress to date be noted.

 

(b)  That the draft Order documents, including the latest draft Order Plan, as attached to the report of 7 November 2023, be agreed.

 

Reason for the decision

 

To deliver works approved be Cabinet to secure critical infrastructure in Blandford for the development of a strategic waste transfer facility in central Dorset which would provide the capacity to maximise the benefits of operational efficiency and resilience to provide business continuity.

An item relating to the making (adoption) of the neighbourhood plan following independent examination and a public referendum.

(a)  That the Council makes the Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan 2022 – 2032 (as set out in Appendix A) part of the statutory development plan for the Chesil Neighbourhood Area.

 

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

 

Reason for the decision

 

To formally make the Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan 2022 - 2032 part of the statutory development plan for the Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Area. In addition, to recognise the significant amount of work undertaken by the Parish Council and members of the Neighbourhood Plan Group in preparing the plan and to congratulate the Councils and the Group on their success.    

To adopt care experience as a protected characteristic.

(a)  That the development of an agreed definition of care experienced for the purpose of making this a protected characteristic, be supported.

 

(b)  Cabinet agreed that ‘care experience’ would be treated as if it were a Protected Characteristic under the Equalities Act 2010 so that decisions on future services and policies made and adopted by Dorset Council were assessed and considered the impact on people with care experience.

 

(c)  That the amendment of Dorset Council’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2021-2024 to reflect ‘care experience’ being treated as if it were a protected characteristic and the development of specific actions to reduce the disadvantage and discrimination that care experienced people face, be approved.

 

Reasons for the decision

 

Making care experience a protected characteristic would help to remove barriers to success for our care experienced young people and was in line with the recommendation to do so in the Independent Review of Children's Social Care, published in May 2022.

To approve the proposed approach to the delivery of the Levelling Up Fund project and finances and to seek endorsement of the priorities for regeneration

(a)  That the successful bid to the Levelling Up fund and the approach and progress to date, be noted.

 

(b)  That the sum of £3.5m, be allocated to match funding as proposed to Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DHLUC) in the Council’s LUF (Levelling Up Fund) Bid from the approved Capital Programme.

 

(c)  That subject to agreement of DHLUC, authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Levelling Up and the Executive Director of Corporate Development, the decision to reallocate Levelling Up Funds from the proposed New Bond Street scheme to Weymouth Bowl site scheme, and other sites as appropriate.

 

(d)  That a further report to agree the approaches to development on the relevant sites be presented to a future meeting of Cabinet.

 

Reason for the decision

 

This decision brings members up to date on the progress of the Weymouth Waterside Regeneration bid to the Levelling Up Fund and takes the next steps to allow further progress.

 

 

 

To consider a report regarding the Families First for Children Pathfinder.

That the approach to delivering the Families First for Children Pathfinder, as set out in the report to People and Health Overview Committee of 17 October 2023, be approved.

 

Reason for the decision

 

Participation in the Pathfinder programme was a huge opportunity for Dorset to shape the national transformation of children and families strategy and policy and to ensure that Dorset Council was well placed to implement these policy changes when they were rolled out nationally.  Department for Education funding would be made available and would be used to support the required change. 

 

Proposals for change set out in an invest to save business case.

(a)  Cabinet endorsed the progress made on the Our Future Council programme, Phase 1, as described in section 1.4. of the report to Cabinet on 7 November 2023.

 

(b)  That the continued expansion of Phase 1 to deliver identified and further savings across the organisation, aligned to the activity described in section 1.4. 3. of the report, be approved.

 

(c)  That the initiation of Phase 2 of Our Future Council programme aligned to and in support of the ongoing budget process and medium-term financial strategy, be endorsed.

 

(d)  That existing governance in place, to oversee the programme as it develops, through the council’s performance board and Our Future Council Programme Steering Group and officer board, be acknowledged.

 

(e)  That an update report on Phase 2 progress be received in early 2024.

 

Reason for the decision

 

Dorset Council has embarked on an ambitious programme called 'Our Future Council' putting our customers first and exploring new ways of working. The primary goal of this programme was to bring about sustainable change and create a streamlined, digital and unified customer experience, resulting in better outcomes at a lower cost.

 

The council aims to move beyond convergence and comprehensively review how it is organised. Central to this transformation was a renewed emphasis on our priorities, customers, and communities, with a resolute commitment to placing people and outcomes above our internal organisational boundaries and bureaucracy.   

 

To consider the Quarter 2 Financial Monitoring Report 2023/24.

 

(a)  That the senior leadership team’s forecast of the full year’s forecast outturn for the Council, made at the end of Quarter 2, including progress of the transformational and tactical savings incorporated into the budget, be noted.

 

(b)  That Cabinet identify the priority areas for changes to be made to close the in-year budget gap.

 

(c)  That Portfolio Holder’s work with officers to continue to identify and develop further in-year efficiencies and savings to minimise use of reserves.

 

(d)  That the capital programme for 2023/24 and updated capital plan for 2023/24 – 2027/28 be noted.

 

Reason for the decision

 

The Council has responsibilities to deliver within its corporate plan and it must do this within the resources made available through the revenue and capital budgets for 2023/24.  This report summarised the Council’s forecast financial performance for the year at the end of the second quarter.

 

 

To agree and adopt the draft order.

(a)  That the DOG-related Public Spaces Protection Order be approved, as set out within the original report to Place and Resources Overview Committee of 5 October 2023, (starting at paragraph 1.2 of the report) and

 

(b)  That the PSPO be reviewed after the winter period by the appropriate committee with a focus on Lyme Regis Front Town Beach.

 

Reasons for the decision

 

To protect public health, safety and animal welfare.

To provide a new PSPO as required by the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

To assist with the efficient use of enforcement resources.

To recognise the public’s support, through the consultation responses, for certain restrictions required for public safety.

To recognise and implement the requirements of the Equality legislation.