Trees

An enquiry process has now been set up following my meeting this morning and that has been targeted for the next Audit and Scrutiny meeting in March. As a committee Scrutiny can call for evidence from any source and has been directed to four specific areas associated with this matter. Chair of Scrutiny, P/F of the Environment and Directors will detail the process with the objective of transparency in all the events since the original planning permission in 2007. All members should by now be informed.

Return of the Lapwing

I always look forward to the winter flocks of Lapwing soaring above the Marsh. Early this morning the first circus of the year that I have seen was performed for about fifteen minutes before they landed near Grimley Point. In years past this circus included many hundreds of birds, sadly numbers appear to be far less. Hopefully this is only a temporary situation and numbers will return.

Trees

Tomorrow at 9.30 am I will be getting together with the P/F holder for the environment and hopefully the deputy Leader and senior officers with the objective of directing some sort of enquiry into the events that have caused such concern. All Councillors should be given the chance to contribute to an enquiry as to what weaknesses in the system that allowed the TPO's to be impotent and what should happen in respect of the developers future conduct and the planting of new deciduous and indigenous semi mature trees. Going forward the planting locations should be made available as soon as possible.

Trees

I was saddened to hear that in view of the threat to public safety action was taken to fell trees immediately adjacent to a building site. Developers do have a responsibility in respect of trees that are protected but should as a result of development trees become a public safety issue Council officers have no option but to take action to protect the public. These weather conditions are also not helpful with tree casualties all over the County. The only encouragement I can take is that the developer has contracted to planting 50 semi mature trees in the public space and I intend to see that happens over the development period.

High Street

I received mail yesterday from County suggesting that the contractors should be able to finish within the two week time span they projected. They also pointed out that operatives were working in access of time estimates and were further ahead on the main contract than expected. The problem was as a result of unidentified and unrecorded gas delivery pipes which were exposed as excavation continued. So I keep my fingers crossed that they are right and we can get our High Street back to normal as soon as possible. Yesterday we made quite clear to County highways that there areas where access to gas equipment was excavated had to be repaired to the highest standard and they agreed to monitor the position. More about the state of our roads and pavements later.

What a storm!

I have not ventured out this morning preferring to stay close to home in this unbelievable weather. I have just heard fro the news that we have this to look forward to for another two weeks! Reports are coming in from down the coast of considerable transport infrastructure damage and I will be getting reports later today as to the situation in Christchurch. As it stands we appear to be suffering from a massive storm surge as the tide levels are far less than the last few days. Coastal and general damage as a result of this period of weather is running into millions of pounds, money that this council does not have so we are currently active in pursuing DEFRA and central government as to how/ where this money is coming from. Some of it is needed very quickly !

The High Street gas repair

To say that I have been frustrated by the progress of the roadworks in the High Street is an understatement. I think Christchurch traders have been incredibly tolerant in the face of this disruption which has been underway since September. I know that the weather has been a factor in the apparent slow progress of the repair to the gas mains but last week when notified that the whole project time would be extended by two weeks, I lost my cool. I have since received a letter explaining that design problems have caused extra work beyond the scope of the original specification and that we are in fact going to be subject to more road works to expose the pipes that need replacing. So on we go with the prospect of when this project finishing the team moving to Stanpit at Purewell Cross for more disruption. Will it ever end?