Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Robinson, Tagg and Wing.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 7^th October 2015.

Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 7^th October 2015 were agreed as a correct record.

Councillor Mark Winnington, Cabinet Member for Economy, Environment and Transport will be in attendance.

Councillor Winnington declined to attend Scrutiny, albeit initially accepting the meeting, as it was arranged around his diary commitments.  As a Committee, Members were very disappointed with his absence and wished for a formal letter of dissatisfaction to be sent to the Leader of Staffordshire County Council.

Resolved:-

That the Chair formally writes to the Leader of Staffordshire County Council informing of the disappointment felt by Members due to the lack of attendance by Councillor Winnington.

The TMA Assurance Manager and the Governance and Improvement Manager, Staffordshire County Council will be in attendance.

The TMA Assurance Manager and the Governance and Improvement Manager from Staffordshire County Council presented to Members an overview on decriminalised car parking.

Prior to the meeting a number of questions were submitted to the Officers and a response provided at the meeting, as follows:-

Q1:      How are requests for new or alterations to traffic regulations made, what is the process, prioritisation and time scale?

A1:      All requests are made via Staffordshire County Council contact centre, entered onto a list and forwarded to Staffordshire County Council highway programme.  There was an option to settle a parking issue via the divisional highway programme.

Q2:      What is the process for introducing residents parking zones (RPZs), who is consulted and how long does this take?

A2:      Early consultation with individual householders and other interested parties was essential. Subsequent consultation should take place as the scheme progresses. For a scheme to progress to detail design and implementation would be necessary for at least 60% of those consulted to respond with 85% of those in favour and prepared to pay the full annual subscription.

If a resident had more than one car and if there was sufficient road space available a limited number of second permits per household may be purchased on a first come first served basis.  There were a number of policies currently in place.  All permits are issued on a renewable annual basis and effective for a period of 12 months. The method of issue was at the discretion of the District/Borough Council with the approval of the Local Parking Committee.

Q3:      Is there a programme to review existing traffic regulation orders, especially where there had been changes in the locality that could affect the management of the traffic?

A3:      Existing traffic regulation orders were reviewed when a request has been received and prioritised.

Q4:      What is your Enforcement Strategy?

A4:      A number of requests were received relating to enforcement.  All information could be obtained from Staffordshire County Council clear street website; clear.streets@staffordshire.gov.uk

Q5:      Are you intending to follow the idea currently being trialled in Thurrock Council with regard to empowering teachers and parents to undertake parking enforcement in the vicinity of schools?

A5:      The review commenced March 2015.  Staffordshire County Council would review the outcome during 2016.

Q6:      What are the communication routes to report parking related problems?

A6:      Any requests concerning off street parking restrictions to contact clear.streets@staffordshire.gov.uk or telephone the contact centre on 0300 111 8000 and ask to speak to the TMA Assurance Manager or one of the team.

If a vehicle was parked on a dropped kerb a Penalty Charge Notice could be issued if there was a physical obstruction.

A Member raised concern that within her constituency a number of complaints had been received of parked lorries on double yellow lines, waiting to unload. The problem had been reported to the police.

The Member was advised to contact clear streets at the above email address with dates, times.  Flexibility of working arrangements with the CEOs (Civil  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities will be in attendance.

The Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities was in attendance to answer any concerns raised by Members.

A Member asked if it was correct that Audley Parish Council were going to provide an area for a fire pit to be constructed?

The Portfolio Holder confirmed this was correct.  The original plan was to install seating and a fire pit.  The Fire and Rescue Service were concerned about the legalities of a fire pit, so it was agreed to only install seating not a fire pit.

The Portfolio Holder went on to advise he had been working with outreach service for young children to provide alternative arrangements.  It was vitally important Councillors and residents report any incidents of vandalism.

The Members were advised if they had concerns to speak to the Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities and the Partnerships Manager and report any incidences to the Senior Partnerships Officer.

Resolved:-

Wednesday 2^nd March 2016

Staffordshire Bus Subsidies – to scrutinise the subsidies then report back the findings to Staffordshire County Council with a request for them to be revised.

Any member of the public wishing to submit a question must serve two clear days’ notice, in writing, of any such question to the Borough Council.

There were no public questions.

There was no urgent business.