Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 19^th November 2014 having been circulated were signed as a correct record.

            It was confirmed that in accordance with Standing Order No.34 (9), the following public questions were submitted to the Board:

Mrs French

‘By allowing parking bays in School Way the council/highways department have “contradicted” themselves and are now ignoring their own “Statement of Reasons” for implementing the original Public Order (Public and Legal Notice URN000E9ORES), i.e.

STATEMENT OF REASONS

Parked and stopped vehicles block sightlines for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians with the problem being compounded by the relative narrowness of School Way. The proposed waiting and loading restrictions will serve to protect sightlines for drivers and pedestrians, prevent congestion, reduce the incidence of confrontation between drivers and guarantee access for emergency and refuse vehicles. I would like answers from the committee at the meeting and would also like to know if all the points raised with regard to my “objections” have been considered?’

            In response Officers advised the Board that all points with regards to Mrs French’s objection have been considered and the proposed amendment was a compromise to try to resolve as many issues as possible.

            Mrs French asked the following supplementary question:

‘The response has not answered my question, what has changed and why are you considering parking bays?’

            In response Officers advised that when the initial Halton Borough Council (Various Roads, Widnes) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 2011 and the Halton Borough Council (Various Roads, Widnes) (No Loading) Order 2011 relating to School Way, Widnes, was implemented residents reported that they had experienced parking difficulties and on a trial basis three sections of School Way were identified as areas were the traffic order could be revoked. The temporary revocation on sections of School Way was done without advertisement and this was perceived as incorrect. Subsequently, following complaints the proposed three experimental gaps were advertised to become permanent and following objections received it was now proposed that only one section would be revoked as a comprise to local residents.

Mr French

‘What are the reasons for the council providing parking bays in School Way and can they please justify on what grounds they were implemented?’

            In response Officers advised the Board that the parking bay was being provided to allow the resident parking near their home as there was limited space on their property

            On behalf of Mr French, Mrs French asked the following supplementary question:

‘Councillor T McInerney had said that 1 School Way wanted space to put a caravan on the drive and cars on the road. However, the drive at 1 School Way has space for 6 cars plus a caravan. Whalley Grove also has satisfactory space for car parking. The proposals would create a chicane effect and also there are health and safety concerns with a School at the bottom of School Way.’

            In response Officers advised that it was recommended that only one section of Halton Borough Council (Various Roads, Widnes) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 2011 and the Halton Borough Council (Various Roads, Widnes) (No Loading) Order 2011 relating to School  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

            The Board considered the Minutes of the meetings of the Executive Board relevant to the Environment and Urban Renewal Policy and Performance Board.

            RESOLVED: That the Minutes be received.

            The Board received the draft Minutes relating to the Environment and Urban Renewal Specialist Strategic Partnership from 19^th June and 18^th September 2014. In addition, minutes from the meeting held on 11^th December 2014 had also been emailed separately to Members of the Board

            RESOLVED: That the Minutes be received.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources, which detailed objections that had been received following public consultation on a proposed traffic regulation Order which would revoke parts of both the Halton Borough Council (Various Roads, Widnes) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 2011 and the Halton Borough Council (Various Roads, Widnes) (No Loading) Order 2011 in School Way, Widnes and to propose a course of action following this consultation.

            At the request of residents and local Councillors and to address parking congestion and associated safety concerns adjacent to Moorfield Primary School, in 2011, a continuous ‘At Any Time’ waiting and Monday to Friday, 8am to 9.30 am and 2.30pm to 3.30pm loading restriction was introduced on the full length of School Way and the area of its junction with Whalley Grove and Nursery Close. All frontage properties were consulted directly on the proposals and no objections were received.

            Since the introduction of the restrictions there had been repeated contacts with adjacent residents and their ward councillors via telephone conversations, email and site meetings requesting minor alterations to the restrictions to permit a degree of local parking. Subsequently, three experimental gaps in the restrictions were introduced.

            Members were advised that following the advertisement of the proposal to revoke limited parts of a traffic regulation Order relating to School Way, 10 objections were received, details of which were outlined in the report.

            In view of the responses it was recommended that just one ‘gap be retained and formalised, that being the one on the south side of School Way adjacent to No1. School Way. It was also recommended that Cheshire Constabulary be contacted with a view to greater priority being given to this location. 

            RESOLVED: That the Board supports the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order to revoke part of both the Halton Borough Council (Various Roads, Widnes) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 2011 and the Halton Borough Council (Various Roads, Widnes) (No Loading) Order 2011 relating to School Way, Widnes as in Appendix D and that the Executive Board be recommended to approve this proposal.

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources, which detailed the second quarter performance management report for 2014/15 on progress against service objectives/milestones and performance targets, and provided information relating to key developments and emerging issues that had arisen in relation to:-

·         Development and Investment Services;

·         Highways and Transportation, Logistics and Development Services;

·         Waste and Environment Improvement and Open Space Services; and

·         Housing Strategy.

Arising from the discussion, it was agreed that a report be brought to a future Board meeting on travellers which will provide information on cost to the Council, no of violations, police involvement and legal officer time.

            RESOLVED: That the Board receives the second quarter management report.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, which advised Members that the Waste Management Working Party had undertaken a review of the Council’s current Household Waste Recycling and Collection Policy. A copy of the revised document had been previously circulated to the Board.

            It was noted that the draft updated Policy did not introduce any new policies or collection regimes. However, it had been reviewed to ensure that it reflected current service provision, policies or other decisions of the Council and brought up to date the previous policy to reflect innovations which had already been introduced. The report contained information on alternative bin collection scheme, co-mingled collection of recyclable materials, enforcement and charging for services.

            In addition the document set out how the Council sought to ensure that it would continue to provide high quality cost effective services that were applied fairly and consistently to all households. The document also provided information to residents on the level of service that they could expect to receive from the Council. It was noted that waste collection schedules were currently being revised in order that each property in the borough had the same day each week for waste collection.

            It was proposed that a further report would be brought to the Board following the role out of the alternate waste collection scheme to all suitable properties by summer 2015.

            RESOLVED: That

1.    the Board endorse the draft updated Household Waste and Recycling Collection Policy document; and

2.    a report be presented to the Executive Board recommending the adoption of the draft updated Household Waste and Recycling Collection Policy.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources which provided an update on the progress on the development of Halton’s Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMA) which was a statutory document required under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. The Strategy had been prepared in accordance with informal guidance published by the Local Government Association and using a common template that had been developed and agreed in conjunction with our neighbouring LLFA members of the Cheshire Mid-Mersey Regional Sub Group, to ensure a consistent approach to flood risk management across the sub-regional catchment areas. A copy of the Strategy document had been circulated to Members of the Board.

            In accordance with the legislation, a formal consultation on the draft LFRMS was undertaken during November and December 2014. Comments received by the closing date had been incorporated into the LFRMS.

            It was noted that the draft LFRMS would be sent to statutory consultees for their comments. It was proposed that the document be amended subject to the approval of the Operational Director Policy, Planning and Transportation in consultation with the Chair of the Environment and Urban Renewal Policy and Performance Board prior to consideration by the Executive Board.

            RESOLVED: That

1.    the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy for Halton be noted; and

2.    the Executive Board be requested to consider, approve and adopt the LFRMS for Halton.