West Moors Memorail Hall @ 2pm

Attendees Roger Long (Chairman), John Bartley (Secretary) Pamela Long (Publicity), Mike Holloway (other Groups Liaison). Pete Holden (District Council) Donna Marlborough (Vice Chairman & Treasurer).

1. Apologies Steve Hunt (Youth). Jenny Winslade (Buses).

2. Review of Previous Minutes.
These were agreed and signed by Roger.

Outstanding Actions.

a) Eliminating Graffiti. Mike has the graffiti removal kit which he has already put to good use. Item closed.

b) Bus shelters. The shrub blocking the sight lines from those waiting inside the bus shelter outside Castleman Court has not yet been removed. ACTION Pete to remind EDHA and indicate that the LAG will volunteer to undertake this work if required.

c) Speed Indicator Device. No apparent progress on this item ACTION Amber Group to take item forward via Parish Council.

d) Funding application to East Dorset Community Partnership. No news yet on whether or not Steve’s application to for some funding to assist with organising youth activities during school holidays has been successful. ACTION Steve to advise on progress.

e) Buses
Jenny had reported Wilts & Dorset were not prepared to consider reinstalling a direct service from West Moors to Bournemouth. Yellow Bournemouth buses have been approached to see if they can offer this service, as has Verwood Transport, who have indicated that they would consider such a service if potential usage figures were favourable. A new bus timetable has been delayed at the printers but is due out on 24th May. Pete advised that the local timetable produced by the Parish Council could not be updated until all the information regarding routes/times was to hand. ACTION Situation to be reviewed at next meeting.

f) Opening park Way toilets. Requested for toilets to be made available for special events like Remembrance Parade. Pete confirmed that a key is to be held at the Parish Office so the toilets can be opened and closed as and when required. Item closed.

Outstanding Amber Group items.

Item 9. Special Character Areas. ACTION Amber Group to please obtain a policy statement from EDDC regarding Special Character Areas.

Item 18. Bypass Pete advised that even though building the bypass was on hold, Section 106 funds being held in anticipation it being built need to be allocated for specific projects or there is danger that the money will be lost. An example of a possible use for the funds is a new pedestrian crossing in Station Road. ACTION Amber Group to take this matter up with the Parish Council to see if this, or any other projects can be pursued with Dorset County Council.

Item 43. Canterbury Close Playing Field. DCC have ruled out using this area for allotments. ACTION Amber Group to ask PC to ascertain from DCC what long term plans exist for this area of land which was a useful sports field but is now being left to become overgrown.

Item 44. Christmas Lights. Confirmation has been received that the policy of gradual enhancement of Christmas lights and the children’s Christmas light design competition will continue. Item closed

3. Correspondence. An invitation to attend the next Transport Tag meeting. Roger confirmed that he would be attending.

4. Proposal to erect a phone mast on the approach to the village. Any action required by the LAG?

Mike stated that he thought that the LAG had been slow to react to this threat. Roger explained that many people in the village were concerned about poor reception on their mobiles so there was a division of opinion over the mast. The Mast Action Group formed by local objectors had successful represented their views at a recent Parish Planning Committee meeting and it was difficult to see how the LAG could add to this. The proposal is due for consideration by EDDC on 19th May. There have been over 100 letters of objection, with protestors likely to attend the planning meeting.
Post meeting note The application was withdrawn by the applicant. No further action.

5. Need for another LAG Open Day this year?
After some discussion it was agreed not to hold a LAG Open Day this year, but to consider a similar event next year when the position on number of pending issues may have become clear..

6 Update on current village projects.

Allotments The most likely site has been identified as the field off footpath 5 behind the Memorial Hall. The Allotment Association are holding regular meetings and are involved in sorting out funding for the venture.

Multi Use Games Area. Now open and fully functional. It is to be hoped that with some publicity it will be well used.

Medical Centre. John produced a large scale plan of what is being proposed by the developer-
Medcentres plc. and the West Moors Group Medical Practice. The next step is for the Memorial Hall to obtain an independent valuation of the land involved, for comparison with any offers from the developer.

Pedestrian Crossing outside St Mary’s School. No apparent progress. The warning signs and lights for a school crossing patrol have already been installed but no indication as to when this might become operational.

7. Chairman’s report.
Just to confirm the next Transport tag meeting on 20th May and that a Neighbourhood and Home watch week is due to take place nationally between the 15th-20th June

8. AOB
It was mentioned that there had not been a PACT meeting for sometime. ACTION Steve to advise on this.

9. Next Meeting. Aim to hold this in around six weeks time Date and venue to be advised.

The meeting ended at 4.15 pm.

Minutes JJB/ 22/05/09