Decisions

Decision

That working with Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue and other partners Cabinet:-

(i)         Authorise officers to proceed with detailed work to establish an options paper that looks at both the legislative as well as other alternatives available to control or prohibit barbeques and other fire related activities relating to Dorset Council area.

(ii)        Continue to support, until any further formal measures are put in place, the ongoing publicity campaign throughout the summer months in conjunction with partners. This will include the continued use of targeted signage at certain locations as well as supporting a range of social media campaigns 

Reason for Recommendation:    

To protect:

·         Dorset’s habitat, ecology and wildlife

·         Human health

·         Dorset Council’s and private property

·         And to support the safety of Dorset’s emergency services and Dorset Council staff

Decision

(a)       That the initial impact of the ‘lockdown’ phase of COVID-19 on                    vulnerable groups in Dorset (attached at appendix 1) be noted;

(b)       That the findings of a series of round-table discussions with Councillors   as summarised at appendix 2, be noted;

(c)        That the an ongoing assessment of the impact on vulnerable groups          through subsequent phases of the pandemic be agreed;

(d)       That the action plan outlined at section 5 of appendix 1 be agreed; and

(e)       That the initial assessment undertaken largely by staff ‘released’ from core roles to assist with the covid-19 response be noted and the actions set out in section 5 require appropriate resourcing and oversight.

(f)        That the report be referred to People Scrutiny Committee for  consideration.

Reason for Recommendation:  To ensure that Cabinet is aware of the impact of COVID-19 on Dorset’s vulnerable communities and responds accordingly. 

Decision

(a)       That the continued COVID-19 emergency response in relation to the organisational reset and planned incident recovery be noted;

(b)       That a review of the Dorset Council Plan is considered in light of the organisational reset and recovery;

(c)        That the report be referred to the next meeting of Resources Scrutiny Committee for consideration.

Reason for Recommendation:  To ensure that Cabinet is aware of the impact of COVID-19 on Dorset’s vulnerable communities and responds accordingly. 

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety advised that Community Safety Partnerships (CSP) were required to produce three-year Community Safety Plans that were revised annually. The Dorset CSP agreed it’s 2020-2023 Plan at its meeting on 9 March 2020.

Members were further advised that the Plan had been developed by analysing information and data and was informed by the findings of public consultation. Place Scrutiny Committee had also considered the process by which the CSP would develop the Plan at it’s meeting on 30 January 2020. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that Dorset Council was under a legal duty to work with the responsible authorities to identify and tackle community safety issues in its area and recommended the Plans adoption.

Recommendation to Full Council

That the Community Safety Plan 2020-23 be recommended to Dorset Council for adoption.

Decision

(a)       That the draft Gambling Policy 2021-2024, as set out in appendix A, be agreed and published for a period of public consultation of not less than 12 weeks;

(b)       That, subject to there being no relevant representations, the Service Manager for Licensing & Community Safety, in consultation with the Chairman of the Licensing Committee recommends to the Council adoption of the Draft Gambling Licensing Policy;

(c)        Should relevant representations be received, which require consideration of one or more significant amendments to the policy, officers be instructed to bring a further report to the meeting of the Licensing Committee with the outcomes of the consultation.

Reason for Recommendations:   

To comply with legislative requirements,

To ensure openness and transparency in the Council’s decision making, and

To ensure that those persons affected by the policy are given the opportunity to have an input into it.

Decision

(a)      That the draft Licensing Policy 2021-2026 (as set out at appendix A to the report) be published for a period of public consultation of not less than 12 weeks.

(b)      That the proposed Cumulative Impact Area, as detailed in Appendix A of the Draft Licensing Policy, be published alongside the Cumulative Impact Assessment and Violent Crime Analysis from Dorset Police as part of the public consultation.

(c)      That, subject to there being no relevant representations, the Service Manager for Licensing & Community Safety in consultation with the Chairman of the Licensing Committee recommends to the Council the adoption of the Draft Licensing Policy.

(d)      Should relevant representations be received, which require consideration of one or more significant amendments to the policy, Officers be instructed to bring a further report to the meeting of the Licensing Committee with the outcomes of the consultation.

Reason for Recommendations

To comply with legislative requirements,

To ensure openness and transparency in the Council’s decision making, and To ensure that those persons affected by the policy are given the opportunity to have an input into it.

Decision

(a)       That the implementation of riverbank improvements to the River Brit to commence in October 2020, be approved;

(b)       That officers be instructed to complete an extension of the lease to the site operator of the Campfield Holiday Park at West Bay until 31st January 2074 on terms described in the confidential appendix which will fund the cost of the project works. 

Reason for Recommendation:    

A decision is required to progress the riverbank reinforcement project to the River Brit in West Bay, to address the risk of river flooding to the Campfield Holiday Park and adjacent properties in Forty Foot Way.

The Council is the freehold owner of the Campfield Holiday Park which is leased to Parkdean Resorts who have been the Council’s tenant for 53 years. Parkdean Resorts are prepared to fund the estimated project costs from a capital premium in return for granting a 50 year lease extension that will encourage the tenant to continue to invest in a sustainable business in West Bay.

Reasons for Decision

To allow the completion of a lease of the former Verwood Youth Centre premises to Verwood Town Council, following the inability to complete a lease to EMS (Youth and Community) Centre Ltd and their successor body the Wimborne MAT, following the conversion of the school to an Academy.

Alternative options considered and rejected

No other options considered as this approach to lease to another Authority supports the original decision for these properties to be continued to be used to support community provision.

DCC’s Cabinet resolved on 25 May 2016:

(i) approves the use of the County Council’s general power of competence to grant a freehold transfer, assignment of lease, or long leasehold interest in the youth centre buildings at Somerford, Burton, Gillingham, Bridport, Dorchester, Crossways, Sherborne, Southill, STEPS, Verwood, Wareham, and Swanage to the respective community bodies on terms to be agreed by the Director for Environment and the Economy, after consultation with the Director for Children’s Services and the Monitoring Officer;

And:

4.11 East Dorset – Verwood

The lease to Emmanuel Middle School Governors or the EMS (Youth and Community) Centre Ltd, as was subsequently agreed, and their successor body the Wimborne MAT, following the conversion of the school to an Academy has not been completed.  Verwood Town Council have now agreed to take the Centre on under a lease agreement in order to support the social, economic and /or environmental wellbeing of the area by allowing community groups, schools etc to rent the premises.

A delegated decision was required by the Executive Director Place, as the successor role to the DCC Director for Environment and the Economy, to agree to the change of nominated body to take a lease of this property.

Reason for Decision

Housing the homeless under

Alternative options considered and rejected

Not to lease this particular property.

Decision

To lease 8 Church Street, Dorchester DT1 1JR

Reason for Decision

The variation allows for the transfer to the Parish Council of the open space and facilitates Aster’s timetable in terms of occupying the dwellings. There would be no material reduction in terms of public benefit. The hall, area of play and dwellings would all be provided for within the modified agreement.

Decision

To agree a Section 106 Deed of Variation (application WD/D/20/003294) to vary the original Section 106 Agreement dated 12 July 2016 (in respect of application reference WD/D/15/00425).

The decision is taken under delegated powers identified in paragraph 151 of the Officer scheme of delegation:

To  undertake  all  action  in  connection  with  any  proposal  /  application  for  the  cancellation, revocation,  deletion, modification and/or variation to any agreement, deed, undertaking and/or any other document entered in to wholly or partly pursuant to any Town and Country Planning Legislation provided that such power does not extend to the approval of an application to modify, vary or revoke an agreement or planning obligation:

(a) imposed by an express decision of Planning Committee; and

(b) where in his/her opinion such approval would result in a material reduction of benefit to the community secured pursuant to such agreement or obligation (as the case may be).

Reason for Decision

Housing the homeless under

Alternative options considered and rejected

Not to lease this particular property.

Decision

To lease Flat 4 Tilly Whim Swanage BH19 1EH under the direct leasing scheme for homeless households.

Reason for Decision

Housing the homeless under

Alternative options considered and rejected

Not to lease this particular property

Decision

To lease Flat 3 Tilly Whim Swanage BH19 1EH under the direct leasing scheme for homeless households.

Reason for Decision

Housing the homeless under

Alternative options considered and rejected

Not to lease this particular property

Decision

To lease Flat 1 Tilly Whim Swanage BH19 1EH under the direct leasing scheme for homeless households.

Reason for Decision

Section 119 of the Highways Act 1980 provides that the Council may divert a public path in the interests of the landowner, occupier or lessee of the land, or where it is in the interests of the public. In making this order the Council’s officers are satisfied that it appears expedient that the path should be diverted on the grounds that it is in the interests of the landowner.

 It is considered that the proposed diversion meets the criteria set down in the Highways Act 1980 and that the proposed route is an acceptable alternative footpath. The end points of the diverted section of the path are on the same highways as at present and are substantially as convenient as at present. The alternative path would not be substantially less convenient to the public in consequence of the diversion and would not have undue effect on the public’s enjoyment of the path as a whole.  No objections were received during the statutory period to allow for responses and the Order can therefore be confirmed.

Decision

That the Council confirms the public path diversion order made on 23^rd July 2019 under section 119 of the Highways Act 1980 to divert footpath 14, Lydlinch as outlined in the attached report and shown on the accompanying plan. That the Definitive Map and Statement is modified by the order under section 53A (2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and the Definitive Statement modified as described in Part 3 of the Schedule to the order.

Reason for Decision

Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 local authorities have powers to make orders to create, extinguish or divert public rights of way. The Council may make an order to divert or stopping-up of any footpath, bridleway or restricted byway under section 257 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 if it is satisfied that it is necessary to do so in order to allow development to be carried out in accordance with planning permission granted under Part III of the Act.

It is considered that the proposed diversion meets the criteria set down in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and that the proposed route is an acceptable alternative. No objections were received during the statutory period to allow for responses. The Authority is empowered by section 259 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to confirm an unopposed order.

Decision

That the Council confirms the public path diversion order made under section 257 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 on 15^th July 2019 to divert footpath 34, Gillingham. That the Definitive Map and Statement is modified by the order under section 53A (2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and the Definitive Statement modified as described in Part 3 of the Schedule to the order.