38.
MINUTES
The minutes of the
meeting held on 17 December 2004 were agreed.
39.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Mr A J Mundy
declared a personal interest in any matter relating to environmental issues as
his son was an Environmental Engineer.
40.
FORWARD PLAN
The Head of
Select Committee and Review Team outlined the items contained within the
Forward Plan for the period February 2005 to May 2005. Members were advised
that the Executive was due to consider a report on proposals to develop a
multi-storey car park at St Mary’s Road, Cowes. The Resources Select Committee,
held the previous day, had expressed an interest in discussing this matter
before it was considered by the Executive. Because of the impact on the areas
covered by the remit of both Select Committees it was suggested that this item
could be the subject of a joint meeting.
It was noted
that a delegated decision was due to be taken by the Portfolio Holder for
Transport and the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Tourism on a review on the
provision of Tourism Brown Signs. This item had been raised at the Economic
Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee. It was
likely that due to the timescales for implementation of the revised policy that
Select Committee would request a Task Group to look at the amendments being
proposed to the existing policy.
ACTION TO
BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE AND REVIEW TEAM
(a)
A joint meeting with the Resources Select Committee be held to
consider the proposed report on the multi-storey car park at St Mary’s Road,
Cowes.
(b)
Councillor R C Richards be the Select Committee’s
representative on the Task Group to be established by the Economic Development,
Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee to discuss revisions to
the policy on Tourism Brown Signs.
41.
PARKING ORDER
The Select
Committee was reminded that at its meeting held on 29 October 2004 it had
requested the Head of Legal and Democratic Services undertake an investigation
into a number of elements connected with the decision making process affecting
residents permits for the car parks at Wootton, Carisbrooke and Seaview. The
investigation had now been completed and the findings were reported to members.
The Head of
Legal and Democratic Services referred to the decisions that were taken in
relation to the parking order since the 30 June 2004 Executive meeting. The
Portfolio Holder for Transport, although not responsible for the decisions, had
been closely involved due to the wider issues for the general parking policy.
There were problems in ensuring clarification of the decisions taken following
the meeting of the Executive. It would therefore be necessary for the Strategic
Director for Environment Services to formalise the enforcement issue.
With regard to
the issuing of permits in respect of the three car parks there appeared to have
been some inconsistent information given to a number of applicants. Once this
had been realised the situation was rectified and this also included the
signage. This meant that 54 permit holders would have a different entitlement
to those who acquired their permits after the parameters had been clarified.
The Select
Committee was advised that some of the action taken had been directed at
overcoming a number of issues that had arisen following the implementation of
the Parking Order. The Head of Legal and Democratic Services highlighted that
there appeared to be no clear audit trail of the decision making process.
Members also believed that in future when a delegated decision was taken to
amend the Car Parking Order all members should be notified for information
purposes.
Whilst it was
accepted by officers that variations had been made to the existing Order it
would be appropriate, given the timescales, for these to be incorporated with
any revisions proposed for the 2005 Order.
The Select
Committee indicated the need for clearer communication by officers when dealing
with amendments to the Parking Order. There was also a need for the Council to
have regard to the impact of the Parking Order on local communities and
facilities.
The local
councillors for Carisbrooke and Wootton, who had been involved in the review
carried out by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, commented on the
difficulties that they had encountered within their areas as the result of the
implementation of the 2004 Parking Order.
ACTION TO
BE TAKEN BY THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR FOR ENVIRONMENT SERVICES
(a)
A letter be sent to the 54 holders of permits to clarify the
extent of their entitlement and they be issued with a replacement permit, at no
extra cost, to overcome any enforcement problems.
(b)
All members of the Council be advised, for information
purposes, of any decision taken by officers under delegated powers in
connection with any amendment to the Car Parking Order.
(c)
Any decisions taken in the future to amend the Car Parking
Order be clearly recorded, together with the reasons for such action, to
provide an audit trail for enforcement purposes.
(d)
No further amendments, or variations, be made to the existing
2004 Order until the annual review for the 2005 proposals is undertaken.
(e)
The draft 2005 Car Parking Order be reported to the Select
Committee for consideration before public advertisement.
42.
NEWPORT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME
(During the
course of the debate Mrs M J Miller declared a personal interest in the
redevelopment proposals for Newport Bus Station as Chairman of the Development
Control Committee)
The Select
Committee was reminded that it had indicated its wish to undertake a review of
the Newport Traffic Management Scheme prior to May 2005 when the existing
experimental scheme expired.
Consideration
was given to the evidence that should be included within the review and the
stakeholders that would assist. The need for firm evidence to be considered
rather than perceptions was vital if a balanced view was to be reported to the
Portfolio Holder for Transport. During the course of the experimental period a
number of minor changes had been introduced based upon experience and
complaints. Members indicated that it
would be necessary to be aware of these together with details on displaced
traffic arising from the scheme.
Members
discussed the redevelopment of the Bus Station in South Street on traffic
management, both in the short and long term. There would be a need for advance
publicity to be given to traffic arrangements whilst works were in progress. Highway
issues connected with the redevelopment would be included in the relevant
Section 106 Agreement.
ACTION TO
BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE AND REVIEW TEAM
(a)
A special meeting to consider the Newport Traffic Management
Scheme to be held in the evening in late March 2005.
(b)
The evidence which should be included within the review to
cover the following issues :-
(i)
The impact upon the punctuality of bus services operating to
and from the bus station;
(ii)
The effect of allowing taxis to use the bus lane and provision
of additional rank space;
(iii)
The effectiveness of signage;
(iv)
Accident records for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic;
(v)
Enforcement;
(vi)
The provision of loading bays;
(vii)
Facilities provided for those with disabilities;
(viii)
Effect on trade within the Town Centre;
(ix)
The impact on parking, both on street and off street;
(x)
The effect on displaced traffic.
(xi)
The complaints received during the experimental period and
associated action undertaken to alleviate these.
(c)
Evidence and attendance at the special meeting be sought from
:-
(i)
Southern Vectis;
(ii)
Taxi Proprietors Association;
(iii)
Cyclewight;
(iv)
Chamber of Commerce;
(v)
Delivery companies;
(vi)
Disabled Drivers Group;
(vii)
Police;
(viii)
Newport Forum.
43.
MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME
Written questions were submitted by Mrs M J Miller in relation to
the Christmas and New Year refuse collection arrangements and road traffic
accidents on Medina Way, Newport. A copy of each of the written questions (MQ13/05
and MQ 14/05), and the replies, are contained in the Members Question Register.
Mr A J Mundy asked a question relating to parking arrangements on
Fountain Quay, Cowes and works in Tuttons Hill, Gurnard. The Chairman indicated
that he would ensure that a response was provided on these issues.
Mr E Fox asked a question in relation to the Council’s car parking
policies and referred to figures that he had been supplied with concerning the
number of One Cards issued, and casual visits made, to the leisure centres at
the Heights and Medina. The Portfolio Holder for Transport indicated that he
would respond once he had had the opportunity of looking at the figures in
closer detail. A copy of his response would be sent to all members of the
Select Committee.
CHAIRMAN
