MINUTES OF 62nd AGM & CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

AGM held in St. John's Church Hall on Thursday 18th May 2000. Present:- Cllrs Annette Brooke and R. Williams, D Green (Canford Magna and Merley Association), and 50 Members and Officers of the Association. John Noyes took the Chair.

1 APOLOGIES:- Cllr Les Burden, Ken Slydel, Don Shemilt, Don Harris, Richard Horwood, Lilian Simmonds.

2 MINUTES OF THE 61st ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, held on 18th May 1999. These minutes having been published in the Summer 1999 Magazine, were taken as read.

3 ACTIONS and MATTERS ARISING

Footpath 5 - There had been a delay due to a legal objection to the Council's proposed solution. The Council were now processing an agreement with D of E, which should allow progress to be made.
War Memorial Viewpoint The Association had re-opened the discussions with the Parks Department, but had again received a firm 'No' regarding the clearance of trees.

4 CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

The Chairman started by paying tribute to John Luckham, who had recently died, aged 87. He was, for several years, Chairman of the Association, and later had two spells as President.

The Chairman then thanked all the Officers and Wardens of the Association for their hard work and support. It is through them that the Membership has grown to encompass one third of the households in Broadstone - nearly 3000 members.

Over the last twelve months, the Committee have been looking to mark the Millennium Year by planting a tree and installing a seat in the Recreation Ground, near to the War Memorial. We have included other Broadstone Organisations in the project, and memorial plaques will identify those participating. The work will be done in the Autumn, and we anticipate that the oldest Broadstone inhabitant will carry out the unveiling Ceremony. Currently the chosen candidate is a lady of 92, but if you know of a true Broadstonian of greater age, please let me know. The committee also supported a number of Community initiatives, the more important of which are:

We have invited to the Executive as non voting members, representatives of other local community organisations, to get the widest possible views on local issues. We have supported the Police and Local Councillors in opposing the grant of an Entertainment Licence to the Stepping Stones. We felt this would exacerbate an existing problem, with many youngsters congregating around the nearby late night liquor store. The licence was refused by the Borough Licensing Committee, but was granted on appeal by the Local Magistrates, with however, restrictions on noise limits and the number of days when entertainment could take place.

We supported Local Councillors in an attempt to limit noise and environmental damage caused by trials bikers on Upton Heath SSSI. As this is private land the police have no jurisdiction, unless all the owners apply to prosecute. Luckily the law relating to preservation of SSSIs is about to be strengthened. Action from the Wardens has helped to reduce the problem, but it is still with us.

We have taken action to get the pedestrian access to Delph Woods at the end of Greensleeves Avenue re-opened. This was never a Public Right of Way, but application has been made to Poole, to rectify the situation. Correspondence with H J Palmers has resulted in a paper promise to restore the access, once the current phase of building is complete. We will be watching the situation closely.

We have supported Councillors in establishing the parking rebate scheme, currently in operation. We have been extensively consulted over the revised 2-hour parking in roads near the shops. This we feel is an important change allowing more parking for shoppers, and driving all-day parkers, further afield. We now publish major details of the Associations activities on the local website www.broadstone.net.

We have a project for the Association to sponsor a more extensive History of Broadstone, than the existing booklet produced by Nona Bowring.

In the past we have had annual meetings with the Borough of Poole to retrospectively discuss budgets and the effect on Council Tax. We are now trying to make arrangements for a more pro-active role, with earlier meetings with both Councillors and Borough Officials, in order to increase any influence we may have.

Finally I would like you to know that apart from producing the magazine issues, some of your subscription money has been used to support Broadstone in Bloom, the Christmas lights, and this year the restoration of the Alfred Wallace monument.

5 TREASURERS REPORT for the year ending 31st December, 1999

A copy of the Receipts and Expenditure Account was presented to all persons present.

The Treasurer explained in detail the final accounts, which showed a balance of £6026, slightly up on the previous year. The Chairman remarked that though this appeared a large sum, after we had paid for the Winter Magazine and other sundry expenses, what was left was retained as an emergency fighting fund should we find it necessary to embark on legal challenges.

Acceptance of the Report was proposed by PA Talbot, seconded by Sally Banford and passed unopposed by the meeting.

6 AMENDED RULES

A copy of the revised Rules of the Association was on display in the hall. Main changes, apart from bringing the name and operational details up-to-date, were changes to the requirements for co-opting non-members onto committees, and also widening the scope of the projects we might support from our funds. As some members had not had a chance to look at the new document on arrival, the Chairman deferred the acceptance vote till after the interval, giving more time to view.

7. REPORTS BY OFFICERS

7.1 Planning

Pat Talbot, summarising the applications he had reviewed in the year noted that there were 73 tree applications in Broadstone, roughly 100 minor extensions, a few medium sized developments and six major sites. We were still monitoring the Hi Palmer development at the edge of Delph Woods, and also the re-development of the Harry Palmer premises between Springdale and Macaulay Roads. We had formally objected to the proposed developments at 3 York Road, and the land behind 113-119 York Road. The development at 11 Upper Golf Links road was also considered inappropriate. A new problem was arising with a rash of radio masts for an extension of the One-to-One mobile telephone system. The latest applications just lodged, included re-building the Methodist Church on the Broadway, and six flats on the site of the Heatherdell Nursing Home, in Wetherby Close. The major developments on the Siemens site and the land behind Makro were also noted, as the extra traffic they would generate, was likely to make the name 'Broadstone Relief Road' a complete misnomer.

7.2 Editor

John Milhofer had received many compliments for the recent issues of the magazine and wished to thank the many contributors who provided his basic material - particularly those who delivered on time. Without their efforts the magazine would wither to a shadow of its former self.

7.3 Advertising

The list of advertisers in the magazine had remained substantially the same over the year, which implied that they were all fairly happy that their adverts reached a good percentage of local buyers, and that despite last years increase in fees, they still felt they received value for money. The editor felt there was no requirement to increase fees this year.

7.4 Chief Warden

Frank Wood started by thanking all the Wardens for their efforts during the year. They formed the backbone of the Association, not only delivering magazines and collecting subscriptions, but also by recruiting new members.

As usual there was a continuing turnover among the Wardens (we have over 70) and we have lost two Area Wardens, Don Shemilt and Roger Bew. Don has been replaced by Ted Loader, but we still need a replacement for Roger. Ted Loader was a Warden's Representative on the Executive Committee, and his move leaves a vacancy for this position. Joyce Warren has also given up as a Representative, so there are in fact two vacancies. Any volunteers to join the Exec. Committee?
Some Wardens have left, some new Wardens have volunteered, but as of now there are nine areas needing support. Again- volunteers please!!!

The current membership is 2826 with 25 applications from the tear-out slips in the last Magazine. There are also a number of potential members who have received complimentary copies of the last magazine.

7.5 Education

There has been a lot of Government Legislation this year, which has put a strain on the resources of the Local Education Authority (L E A). They have been obliged to produce a three-year Development Plan, to show year by year improvement in attainment grades for pupils. The plan must also cover a wider range of courses and conferences to improve teacher skills. In the near future Poole LEA will itself be inspected to see how well it is performing. Schools have been re-designated as 'Community Schools' or 'Foundation Schools' formerly the Grant Maintained Schools. Parent power has been increased, with more parent governors, who theoretically can exert more influence on the L E A.

The introduction of a numeracy hour, in addition to the literacy hour, means that now about 40% of the school day is spent on the basics.
In Broadstone, the reduction of reception class sizes to 30 pupils, has meant an extra classroom at Springdale where the intake is now 90 (three classes), and a smaller intake of 60 pupils at Broadstone First.
Broadstone Middle School has attracted funding for a new arts and science block, and this allows scope for re-organisation of existing areas. Corfe Hills has applied for Technology College status.

7.6 Post Office Advisory Committee (POAC) and Telephone Advisory Committee (TAC)

TAC. We belong to Purbeck and East DorsetTAC, (not Poole and Boumemouth), and such Committees are run under the OFTEL umbrella. The committee meets quarterly, and notes comments and criticisms from the participating districts. There are many official reports and consultation papers circulated, and sometimes presentations by major suppliers. Vodaphone is most helpful, but Cable & Wireless is reluctant to appear. There are some sixteen million 999 calls in a year, of which some 70% are hoaxes or false calls. Many of the latter come from unfortunate positioning of mobiles in handbag or pocket, and 'phone companies are trying to find a cheap solution to this problem. The Internet is also a rapidly developing area, with the WAP phone providing fax, video, E- Mail and telephony across the world, all at local rates. BT estimate that by 2003 there will be as many computers on the 'phone network, as there are conventional 'phones.

POAC. This is a similar set-up to TAC, but reports to the Post Office Users National Council. Business covers both Post Office Counters and Royal Mail. At present there are 180 district POACs, but moves are afoot to replace them by just eight regional committees. The Districts are currently consulting about these proposals. Post Office Counters report that in general there level of service meets the required standards, with 94% of customers served within five minutes. Currently there are grave worries over the future of many local and rural sub Post Offices, when new methods of benefit payments are introduced.

In Broadstone, we have suffered from the closing of the local sorting office, and there seems to be no suitable alternative in sight. This gives rise to a slow and cumbersome arrangement with staff being bussed up and down to the (temporary?) sorting site on the Nuffield Estate. Allied to a shortage of staff, deliveries in Broadstone have often been unacceptably late. Otherwise the complaint level is low. Attempts to get more Collection Boxes in Merriefield Avenue and Wentworth Drive have been thwarted. It appears we can only relocate existing ones, provided the current users do not mind.

7.7 Dorset Federation

The Federation of more than 30 local Residents' Associations, meets four times a year and covers topics of common interest. They are also invited to attend meetings of other organisations with similar interests.

This year they had been addressed by the Service Development Manager of the Dorset Health Authority, who outlined the current structure of the Authority, and in particular emphasised the huge waste of resources and money through missed or cancelled appointments. Other topics for consideration had been: Draft Heritage Strategy for North and West Dorset. DCCs Waste Forum, particularly recycling and use of recycled materials. St Leonard's Grange Estate and local developments. CPREs fight for the preservation of country lanes. Poole Harbour Commissioners Annual Meeting.

8 Election of Officers

The President, Dr Fleming, now took the chair. In compliance with the rules of the Association, a notice had appeared in the Spring Newsletter, inviting members to nominate persons for office. Since no nominations were forthcoming the Executive Committee recommended that the officers listed below be re-elected. The only new appointment in the list was P.A.Talbot, replacing F.Wood as vice chairman.

Frank Meaton (Dorset Federation) and Don Harris (Chamber of Trade) will continue to serve on the committee, as will the existing area wardens, and the warden's representatives.

There had been no further nominations so the officers submitted by the Committee were elected unopposed. After the election, John Noyes resumed the chair.

9 Appointment of Auditor. T. Bridle had offered his services, and the appointment was proposed by PA Talbot, seconded E Loader and unanimously approved.

10 Subscription Rate for the Coming Year. The nieeting approved the recommendation of the Treasurer, that the rate remain £1.00 for the coming year.

11 AOB One of the members raised the question of vehicles driving excessively fast along Springdale and Clarendon Roads, in the evening. Dennis Phillips (Neighbourhood Watch), said he would raise the issue with our Community Policeman.

Wendy Faux complained about the increasing levels of noise pollution from aircraft. Hum was getting continually busier, and lately we seemed to have a large number of Chinook helicopters continually overhead. The Chairman felt this was not the place for an open discussion on the topic, and decided this would be discussed at the next meeting of the Executive Committee. In closing the formal section of the meeting, the Vice Chairman expressed our thanks and appreciation to Joyce Warren, and the Combi Shop for the refreshments to come.

After the Refreshment Break the Chairman asked if there were any comments on the revised Rules. None were forthcoming so the changes were accepted unanimously. After this was the talk, "What shall we do with our Waste?" given by Peter Pawlowski and Louise Lowens of Poole Consumer Protection Services.

They detailed the problems Poole currently had with the complete waste management cycle. Currently household waste comprised only 7% of the total waste in the Borough, and whilst recycling appeared to be the answer, the actual market for recycled materials and products was a disaster scene. Prices were often so low, that even with landfill tax it was more economic to dump the waste unsorted. Under these conditions it was very difficult to get stable long term contracts for selling recovered materials. Poole was currently working on its Waste Strategy, but this would not be published until the Autumn. Current total cost to the Borough was around £5 million, and it was likely to be at least this much for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile Government was continually pushing up the landfill tax to force authorities to do much more composting and recycling. They had issued recovery targets of 40% by 2005, 45% by 2010 and 50% by 2015. There were also strict EC rules for the pre- treatment of hazardous waste, and their latest publications appeared to support incineration as the major means of disposal. There are already a lot of successful 'Waste to Energy' sites in Northern Europe, and the idea is fairly accepted, but in the UK there is still a great deal of strong opposition on the grounds of polluting and toxic emissions, which has limited the number of incinerators, and has restricted the amount of open support from the Government. In practice the whole question needs much more Government support.

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