Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Cooper, Sweeney and Tagg.

To receive declarations of interest from Members on items included on the agenda.

There were none.

T o consider the minutes of the meeting held on 18 April, 2012

That subject to County Councillors Mrs Cornes, Locke and Tagg being added to the list of Members present, the minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 18 April 2012 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a verbal update from the County Council

It was indicated that 32 new requests for new or amendments to existing Traffic Regulation Orders had been received since the last meeting.

There had been insufficient time for the officers to look at each of these requests in any detail but this would be done as soon as possible.  In the meantime, Members were invited to raise any specific issues direct with the officers.  Matters raised could then be considered when the requests were revisited by the officers, although it was appreciated that not all of the requests could be positively responded to.

Mention was made of parking problems in Chester Road and a suggestion that grass verges be remodelled to improve parking facilities for residents and double yellow lines be positioned to prevent parking of vehicles on the bend in the road.  It was agreed that this matter should be referred to the County Council for inclusion on the list of new requests.  Similar action was agreed in respect of concerns expressed by a Member about parking problems in the vicinity of Ravensmead Primary School at Bignall End.

Resolved:-   (a)       That the list of new requests for new or amended Traffic Regulation Orders be noted.

                        (b)       That the issues raised by Members concerning Chester Road and in the vicinity of Ravensmead Primary School be forwarded to the County Council for investigation.

To receive a verbal update from the County Council

Reference was made to the discussion on this matter at the last meeting and consideration given to a verbal update on progress made since that time.

All representations received following the advertisement of the Traffic Order had been reviewed and carefully considered as a result of which further amendments to the Order were now proposed.  Approval had been given under the County Council’s Scheme of Delegation with the support of this joint committee to continue to develop a revised permit parking scheme.

Members were reminded that the cost of the scheme’s implementation had to be met by permit holders by way of a one-off joining fee.  Work was currently being undertaken to determine sign and road marking costs to provide residents with an accurate joining fee.  Also, the level of the joining fee was reliant on the number of residents wishing to join the scheme and would be based on the results of previous consultations.

In conclusion, it was indicated that although progress was being made, it was not possible to give a specific timetable leading to implementation of the scheme.

Resolved:-   That the information be received.

The Committee gave consideration to a list, in priority order, of locations where requests for new or amendments to existing parking related Traffic Regulation Orders in the Borough had been received.

It was indicated that Priority 3 schemes were ongoing and Members were invited to re-assess Priority 4/5 schemes based on their local knowledge with consideration also being given to issues affecting schools being given added weight.

The long list of parking related issues that were awaiting prioritisation was placed before the committee and following a request from a Member it was agreed that under any review of the list by the officers/committee and the problems being experienced at The Avenue, Kidsgrove (listed at 27a/27b on the list should be retained.

It was also agreed that problems being experienced in the vicinity of St Chad’s School at Red Street (listed at 14(a), (b), (c) and (d) and Bell’s Hollow should also be retained on the list and, if possible, dealt with together.

It was agreed that the long list needed to be reduced in size ensuring that only the more significant problems were brought forward for possible prioritisation as priority 4/5 schemes.  This process could best be achieved by Joint Parking Committee members consulting with ward councillors.

Resolved:-   (a)       That the information be received.

                        (b)       That the actions outlined above including consultation with ward councillors by Joint Parking Committee be approved.

Consideration was given to the draft Civil Parking Enforcement Annual Report for 2011/12 published by Staffordshire County Council.

The report explained how Civil Parking Enforcement was operated and managed throughout the County.

Resolved:-   That the information be received.

Consideration was given to a request from Staffordshire County Council for the variation of existing waiting restrictions in Chapel Street, Silverdale.

Details of the proposed variation were outlined in the officer’s report and on a plan attached as an appendix.

Resolved:-   That the scheme to vary the existing parking restrictions in Church Street, Silverdale be supported.

The Committee’s support was sought by the County Council to proposals to introduce waiting restrictions in Stubbs Gate.

No objections were made to the proposal although a request was made that junction protection measures be included in the waiting restrictions at the junction of Hatrell Street and Brook Lane.

It was indicated that this suggestion was acceptable as a consequence of which the proposal would be revised and re-issued.

Resolved:-   That subject to the incorporation of junction protection measures in Hatrell Street/Brook Lane the scheme of waiting restrictions in Stubbs Gate, as proposed by the County Council, be supported.