The Dorset Way

Christine Melsom, founder of the Isitfair council tax protest group issued the following statement: The Government's announcement to postpone the property revaluation and rebanding in England until after the next General Election comes as no surprise to the UK-wide IsitFair Campaign. The anger and opposition to revaluation and rebanding has been growing and reached breaking point when its effects were seen in Wales. The Government is well aware of the hostility towards the present system of council tax, but how much longer are they willing to bury their heads in the sand and do nothing about it? How many more people have to be incarcerated in Category A prisons for 28 days for the crime of protesting about above-inflation increases in council tax? How many more vindictive prison sentences have to be handed out before the Government takes some meaningful action? Council tax has doubled over the last 10 years and people on fixed or modest incomes are being required to pay a disproportionate amount of tax. Any increase in the value of their property has not magically generated additional income with which to pay ever-increasing council tax bills. The Isitfair Campaign began in 2002 and has only one aim - to scrap council tax and replace it with a fairer system that takes account of everyone's ability to pay. It is not only an issue for pensioners, it's about getting a fairer system for everyone. The first essential step is to stop using property value as the basis for the tax. The Government has wasted an estimated £60 Million on this aborted attempt at revaluation in England. It has been billed as a postponement, but there would be no reason whatsoever to revalue properties if the tax was related to people's income instead of being based on property value. Unlike the Government, Isitfair will stay on its course. We will continue our campaign, we will not give in until the council tax system is completely reformed. There will be more Rev. Ridleys and more Sylvia Hardys and we will continue to embarrass the Government until progress is made. Council tax must be reformed and must take into account the ability to pay from income. Although Isitfair does not encourage anyone to withhold their council tax, we will vigorously support any member who decides to do so. For further press information, please contact: Christine Melsom on 01428-712680 or E-mail c@isitfair.co.uk Issued by IsItFair Campaign, Headley, Hampshire GU35 8PJ

The third week of the Twin Sails Bridge Public Inquiry concluded with the majority of the time dedicated to Marina Developments Ltd (Cobbs Quay – Holes Bay) regarding their concerns of the two bridge lifting system.

 

The company put forward their case which included the argument that the proposal for a second lifting bridge would significantly affect their business which supports a number of other marine related industries. They believe berth holders may choose other marinas to moor their vessels, avoiding the necessity of negotiating a two-bridge system to get into the harbour.

 

Marine Developments Ltd wrapped up their case earlier than scheduled so the third week of the Inquiry did not sit after Wednesday afternoon.

 

The fourth and what is expected to be the final week of the Inquiry begins Tuesday 18 October. The remaining objectors will have their evidence heard and both sides will be given the final opportunity to cross examine witnesses.  Closing statements from the Borough of Poole will also be made along with written submissions from objectors.

 

In addition the Government-appointed Planning Inspector Mr Christopher Tipping (Cantab) will make a water-based site visit, which will include travelling through the Backwater Channel on board a boat during one of the existing bridge’s scheduled lifts, to view the relevant parcels of land.

 

The Public Inquiry takes place at the Civic Centre from Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 5pm and on Friday mornings from 9.30am to 1pm. Members of the public are welcome to view.

 

Any queries about the Public Inquiry should be directed through the Programme Officer Rhalina Yuill on 01202 633370.

Rachael Mills, Media Relations Manager, Communications, Borough of Poole tel 01202 633295 - r.mills@poole.gov.uk

The Community Development Team at the Borough of Poole will be holding a Community Lunch at Alderney Manor Community Centre on the corner of Herbert Avenue and Berkeley Avenue, on Wednesday 19th October 2005 from 12.30-2.30pm. This is an opportunity to find out what is going on in the area and meet other community members. Speakers include:

Richard Woodrow, Recreation Development Officer who will be talking about opportunities for sport and other activities within the Borough of Poole.

Marian Harrison, Next Step Adviser who will be talking about opportunities for overcoming barriers to work and learning.

Christine White, Youth Services who will be asking you to give your opinions of services and facilities for young people in Poole.

Lunch will be available. The Community Development Team look forward to seeing you then!

For more information contact Joanna    Brightwell, Community Liaison Officer, on 01202 633483.

Blue Bins Celebrate First Birthday

The Blue Bin recycling scheme in Poole is celebrating after a successful 12 months in which the amount of recyclable waste collected has rocketed. However residents are being urged to keep up the good work after further recycling targets were set by the Government.

 

Cllr Don Collier, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the Environment, Borough of Poole, said: “One year on since the delivery of 52,000 blue recycling bins to residents within the Borough of Poole and we really want to congratulate everyone for their overwhelming support to the scheme.  The results have been amazing – please keep up the good work.”

 

Elizabeth Williams, Waste Management Officer, Environmental & Consumer Protection, Borough of Poole, said: “The Borough of Poole has been set a demanding target for 2005-06, in which it has to recycle 30 per cent of total collected waste.  It is therefore very important that the good work continues.”

 

 

Rachel Holt, Recycling Officer, Environmental & Consumer Protection, Borough of Poole tel 01202 261702 - r.holt@poole.gov.uk

 

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Poole is celebrating after receiving a silver award and winning their category in the South and South East Britain in Bloom competition. 

Denise Hill, Chairman of Poole in Bloom, praised local volunteers who, “spend hours of their own time to improve their local surroundings in areas such as the centre of Broadstone and Coy Pond.”  Both areas have been greatly improved over the last few years and this was recognised by the South and South East Britain in Bloom judges who awarded them both Certificates of Excellence.

Poole, who was competing against Brighton and Hove, was also congratulated for its bedding displays and roundabouts in the town. Judges were also impressed with the work done by the Borough of Poole’s Leisure Services Rangers on Canford Heath and at Upton Country Park. 

Cllr Don Collier, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the Environment, Borough of Poole, said: “We are delighted with our success in South and South East Britain in Bloom. It comes on the heels of the results of the Poole Opinion Panel, which show 83 per cent of people are satisfied with the care and maintenance of our parks and open spaces.  We are extremely grateful to our many volunteers, like Denise and her Poole in Bloom colleagues, who contribute so much to making a difference.”

Poole in Bloom welcomes any volunteers who are prepared to improve their local areas.

 If you can help, perhaps by organising groups to plant bulbs or wild flowers or to do a litter pick please telephone Leisure Services on 01202 261320 or contact Denise Hill at denise@corfelodge.freeserve.co.uk

Contact: Jayne Taylor, Business Manager, Leisure Services, Borough of Poole tel 01202 261311 - j.taylor@poole.gov.uk

 

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Councils Team Up to Lobby for Fairer Funding

The leaders from Councils across Dorset met at Upton House in Poole on October 10 to discuss the unfair deal they get in Local Government Funding.

 

The meeting was set up by invitation of the Leader of the Borough of Poole, Cllr Brian Leverett. Those who attended included the Leader of Bournemouth Borough Council Cllr Richard Smith, Dorset County Council Leader Cllr Tim Palmer, East Dorset District Council Leader Cllr Derek Burt, North Dorset District Council Leader Cllr David Whitehead, Purbeck District Council Leader Cllr Bill Trite and Christchurch Borough Council Deputy Leader Cllr David Fox.

 

At the meeting the leaders agreed they would get together to jointly lobby the Government for more money, arguing there were specific anomalies in the region which led to their councils receiving less than other parts of the country.

 

Borough of Poole Leader, Cllr Leverett said: “We reached an agreement that we would make a joint representation to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and to our MP’s pointing out the particular differences encountered by the Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole area.  We will point out that historically we are low spending authorities and therefore can’t absorb those extra burdens put on us by Government without extra funding.

 

“Residents in this area are living in properties which are more highly valued than elsewhere in the UK and as a consequence their banding tends to be higher than similar properties in other parts of the country, which means they are already paying a much higher Council Tax. We will be asking Government to address this by giving us a far better Revenue Support Grant than historically has been the case.”

Rachael Mills, Media Relations Manager, Communications, Borough of Poole tel 01202 633295 - r.mills@poole.gov.uk