Memorial Hall at 2pm

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

Outstanding Actions.

a) Eliminating Graffiti. Pamela advised that she is still awaiting a response from Martha Perry at EDDC regarding obtaining a Graffiti removal kit. ACTION Pamela to ask again to try and resolve this long outstanding issue.

b) Bus shelters. Pete advised that he had asked East Dorset Housing Association to remove the shrub which blocks the sight line from the Castleman Court bus stop. No response so far 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) Improved signage for Castleman Trail way. Improvements have been made by the addition of stickers on lamp posts which indicate the Trail way route through the village. Item closed

e) The Litter pick. The one carried out by the LAG had been successful and had been reported in the Echo and other local press. Steve advised that further litter picks have been arranged by Youth Football Club in March and the Youth Club in April. It was agreed that the LAG should do another one in May.

f) Steve reported that he was awaiting a response to his application to East Dorset Community Partnership for some funding to assist with organising youth activities during school holidays. ACTION Steve to advise on progress.

Other outstanding actions were dealt with as part of the Agenda.

2. Correspondence. None.

3. Amber Group.
a) Roger reported that the last Amber Group meeting had been cancelled at very short notice and that a note from Alex Clarke had indicated that the Parish Council representatives were not happy about adding new items to the list of Actions. After some discussion it was agreed that introducing new items was part of the way in which Parish Plans were expected to evolve and this had been made clear under item 13- The Future, (page 20) in the West Moors Parish Plan. This view had also been supported by the representatives from EDDC when the Amber Group was set up. ACTION John and Steve to both submit draft suggested replies to Roger for consideration before he responds to Alex on the subject.

b) A list of the outstanding Action Points was supplied by Alex, who had included progress reports, and this was discussed.
Note.-Item numbers refer to items as they appear in Parish Plan Action Plan.

Item 9. Special Character Areas. A reply from EDDC to the PC had indicated that no further areas are being considered at the moment. This response was confusing as having been asked to suggest further areas the LAG expected some sort of indication as to whether the specified areas met the criteria, or not. ACTION Amber Group to please follow this up and obtain a policy statement from EDDC regarding Special Character Areas.

Item 11. Affordable Housing. The PC had submitted suggestions regarding land which might be suitable for future development of affordable housing. EDDC have apparently indicated that a site off Elmhurst Way might be viable. No further action at this time.

Item 18. Bypass All the indications are that nothing is likely to happen before 2019 and the scheme may even be dropped from future planning. ACTION LAG, Amber Group and Parish Council all to try to ensure that the provision of a By Pass for West Moors is retained as a future objective. Ongoing.

26. Litter The LAG wished to record their appreciation of the fine job being done by the Parish Lengthsman in keeping the village tidy. Regular Litter pick days (see item 2 e above) help to keep some control over this continuing problem. Ongoing.

31. Dog Waste. The Parish Council now employs the services of a Dog Warden and is considering a proposal to ban dogs from the playing fields. EDDC have indicated that West Moors has a high concentration of dog waste bins so the installation of any additional bins is unlikely. ACTION LAG to monitor situation and report to Amber Group any areas where dog waste becomes a problem.

43. Canterbury Close Playing Field. This is one of the areas where allotments could be sited. PC has written to DCC who own the land for a reaction to this proposal. ACTION Future use of this area to be retained as a Parish Plan action point if the area not chosen as a site for allotments

44. Christmas Lights. The PC had received contributions from local traders and the children’s Christmas light design competition would be repeated. ACTION LAG hope that enhanced decorative lighting on the Petwyn can be retained as a long term aim, and look to the PC for confirmation.

45. Public Seating. Perch type seats now installed at bus stops and new bench seats at sites on the Plantation. Item closed.

53. Youth. Provision of a youth shelter is underway and the success of the Friday Night Project welcomed. Improvement of facilities for youth is a continuing theme for the Parish Plan. Ongoing.

Additional items. Note-The following items actually fall under item 4 from the Parish Plan Action Plan- Improve Communication to and from Parish Council.
a) Parish Council minutes are now promptly posted to village web site. Item closed
b) Procedure for public questions at Parish Council meetings is currently under review. LAG unable to comment until any new procedure has had a chance to settle. Ongoing.

4. Buses, update on response from Wilts & Dorset. Negative response received regarding the reintroduction of a direct service linking West Moors with Bournemouth and the hospital. ACTION Jenny volunteered to approach other local bus operators to see if they can offer a Bournemouth service. Pamela mentioned that the Monday morning Dalmorey service which goes to Christchurch is via Bournemouth hospital and the Castlepoint shopping centre.

5. Update on current village projects.
Allotments Three sites selected as having potential. A fourth site has been added following a request from the recently formed Allotment Association. PC efforts underway to try an secure a suitable site. Roger mentioned that members of this group are very keen to see progress on this issue and are likely to be regular attendees at future Parish Council meetings.

Multi Use Games Area. Work is almost complete and the new area should be open in a few weeks

Medical Centre. Memorial Hall Council are waiting to see if an outline planning can be obtained before getting the land professionally valued and taking the matter further.

Pedestrian Crossing outside St Mary’s School. Warning signs and lights for a school crossing patrol have already been installed. Awaiting the appointment of a school crossing patrol person.

6. Chairman’s report.
Nothing further to add

7. AOB
a) Pamela asked if the toilets in Park Way can be left open during village events like the Remembrance Day parades and the Christmas Carol/Market evening. Pete explained that these toilets are supervised by the EDDC and he would mention this point. ACTION Pete to advise on outcome of his discussions.

b) Jenny asked if the LAG were considering another Open Day this year, given the success of the last event. It was agree to discuss this matter at the next meeting ACTION John to put it on the Agenda.

8. Next Meeting. Thursday 14th May. 2pm Memorial Hall committee room.

The meeting ended at 3.45 pm.

Minutes JJB/ 25/02/09