Agenda, decisions and minutes
PDF 555 KBVenue: Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell, KT17 1UF
Contact: Nicola Morris, Community Partnership & Committee Officer Surrey County Council, Community Partnership Team, Epsom Town Hall (2nd floor), Epsom, KT18 5BY
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APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE LOCAL COMMITTEE FOR 2015/16
To note the appointment by Council of County Councillor Eber Kington as Chairman and County Councillor John Beckett as Vice-Chairman of the Local Committee for the current municipal year.
Minutes: The appointment by Council of Eber Kington as Chairman and John Beckett as Vice-Chairman of the Local Committee for the current municipal yearwas noted.
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APPOINTMENT OF BOROUGH COUNCIL MEMBERS
Under the County Council's Constitution (Part 4. Standing Orders, Part 3 40 (f)) no substitutes are permitted for district/borough council co-opted members of local committees, unless a local committee agrees otherwise at its first meeting following the Council’s annual meeting and in relation to all meetings in the following year, upon which named substitutes will be appointed to the Local Committee on the nomination of the relevant district/borough council.
The Local Committee is therefore asked to decide whether it wishes to co-opt substitutes in the municipal year 2015/16.
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has nominated 5 Borough Councillors and 5 substitutes to serve on the Local Committee for the municipal year 2015-2016. David McNulty, Chief Executive, has now confirmed these appointments as follows, subject to the agreement by the Committee to permit substitutes: Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Appointed Members [5] Cllr Michael Arthur [Ewell] Cllr Liz Frost [Woodcote] Cllr Vince Romagnuolo [Court] Cllr Clive Smitheram [West Ewell] Cllr Tella Wormington [Town]
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Substitutes Cllr Tony Axelrod [Town] Cllr Rekha Bansil [Woodcote] Cllr Steve Bridger [Stamford] Cllr Kate Chinn [Court] Cllr Humphrey Reynolds [Ewell]
Decision: That the Local Committee [Epsom & Ewell] agreed
To co-opt substitutes for Borough Council members for the municipal year 2015/16.
Reasons: Standing Order 40(f) requires the Committee at its first meeting in the municipal year to agree whether it wishes Borough Council members to be permitted to have substitutes. Minutes: Resolved:
That, Borough Council members be co-opted as substitutes for the municipal year 2015/16.
The Local Committee noted that at the Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s first meeting of this municipal year, 5 Borough Councillors and 5 substitutes were appointed to serve on the Local Committee for the municipal year 2015-2016, the substitute members being appointed subject to the decision above:
Appointed Members [5]
Cllr Michael Arthur MBE [Ewell] Cllr Liz Frost [Woodcote] Cllr Vince Romagnuolo [Court] Cllr Clive Smitheram [West Ewell] Cllr Tella Wormington [Town]
Substitutes [5]
Cllr Tony Axelrod [Town] Cllr Rekha Bansil [Woodcote] Cllr Steve Bridger [Stamford] Cllr Kate Chinn [Court] Cllr Humphrey Reynolds [Ewell]
Reasons: Standing Order 40(f) requires the Committee at its first meeting in the municipal year to agree whether it wishes Borough Council members to be permitted to have substitutes. |
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
To receive any apologies for absence and notices of substitutions from Borough members under Standing Order 39. Minutes: There were no apologies or substitutions. |
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CHAIRMAN'S BUSINESS
The Chairman will update the Committee on any current issues. Minutes: Borough colleagues were reminded to complete a declaration of interest form if they had not already done so, or to check their current declaration.
The County Council has very recently issued a list of Social Care, Community Support and Health Contacts in Epsom & Ewell for distribution to relevant individuals and community outlets. Copies were available to members for distribution in their area.
A leaflet on available funding sources for community and charity groups will be available shortly and copies will be sent to Borough Members of the Local Committee for distribution to local groups in their wards.
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WRITTEN PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS
To answer any questions or receive a statement from any member of the public who lives, works or studies in the Surrey County Council area in accordance with Standing Order 69. Notice should be given in writing or by e-mail to the Community Partnership & Committee Officer at least by noon four working days before the meeting. Minutes: Two questions were received, the questions and answers are set out in Annex A. Mr Osgathorp was unable to be present at the meeting, the response to the question was noted. Further discussion of this and question 2 was deferred until consideration of Item 13. |
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ADJOURNMENT
For the Committee to consider adjourning for up to half an hour to receive questions from members of the public. Minutes: 29 members of the public were present. 5 informal questions were asked (including three under Item 7 and 1 under item 13) and answers were provided at the meeting.
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PETITIONS
To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 68. Decision: That the Local Committee [Epsom & Ewell] agreed
That the feasibility study to consider whether a one way system in Hook Road and Temple Road would be appropriate should continue as previously agreed.
Reasons: To gather data to see whether a one way scheme would be appropriate in this area and to consider possible options for the road layout should the scheme progress.
Minutes: Two petitions were received, the petitions and answers are set out in Annex B.
Declarations of Interest: None
Officers attending: Nick Healey, Area Highways Team Manager; Alan Flaherty, Engineer
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: Three members of the public asked questions under Item 3 in relation to this item.
Petition 1: The petitioner, Mr Tufo presented his petition. He indicated that he felt that there was no need for a study to be carried out as the traffic problems could be solved by the construction of the Kiln Lane link. Residents had previously been advised that traffic calming would be installed, there are frequent accidents which do not appear to be presented in the data included in the response to the petition.
A resident queried where the information had come from that indicated that the traffic had flowed better during the recent gas works and referred to the number of accidents in the area.
Officers responded that the accident data is supplied by the police and is publicly available on the Crash Map website. Incidents are generally only recorded if there is personal injury as there is no requirement to report damage only incidents to the police, more recent incidents are not included as there is a delay in publication whilst information is processed and verified. As the number of personal injury accidents has been low officers would recommend that limited resources are directed at areas with a higher incidence of accidents.
Whilst the Kiln Lane link may alleviate the problems there is no guarantee that it will be built in the foreseeable future. It was noted that the local highways team receive a high volume of correspondence and during the gas works received a number of requests for the one way system to be continued permanently. The feasibility study is aiming to look at whether this would be a good idea from a technical point of view and would recommend what changes would need to be made to ensure that there is no deterioration in safety in the area. If the feasibility study concludes that a one way system is appropriate, the Committee would need to agree to proceed and there would be a period of formal statutory public consultation before a final decision could be made.
Petition 2: The petitioner, Mr Tufo presented his petition. He indicated that residents had previously petitioned for traffic calming which had been agreed, but that all that had resulted was a series of staggered parking bays. It is difficult for residents to safely leave their driveways between parked cars and there are regular near misses. In addition when vehicles are not in the bays traffic is not slowed. Residents would like chicanes as in Manor Green Road, particularly as there are a number of facilities in the area, including a school and a church where users are vulnerable.
Three residents supported the request for traffic calming and indicated that they had witnessed vehicles driving at speed in the area resulting in accidents or near ... view the full minutes text for item 18/15 |
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Additional documents: |
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MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
To approve the Minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record. Minutes: The minutes were confirmed as a correct record. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.
Notes: · In line with the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012, declarations may relate to the interest of the member, or the member’s spouse or civil partner, or a person with whom the member is living as husband or wife, or a person with whom the member is living as if they were civil partners and the member is aware they have the interest.
· Members need only disclose interests not currently listed on the Register of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.
· Members must notify the Monitoring Officer of any interests disclosed at the meeting so they may be added to the Register.
· Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest.
Minutes: There were no declarations of interest. |
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EPSOM AND EWELL PAY AND DISPLAY PROPOSALS
To consider the introduction of new parking restrictions including pay and display parking bays in Clayton Road and Wheelers Lane in the borough of Epsom and Ewell. Additional documents: Decision: That the Local Committee [Epsom & Ewell] agreed
(i) To introduce new parking restrictions including pay and display parking bays in Clayton Road, if possible to coincide with the introduction of any agreed Residents’ Parking Zones in the area, but that the proposals for Wheelers Lane be not progressed;
(ii) That the County Council’s intention to make an order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 be advertised and, if no objections are maintained the order be made;
(iii) That if objections are received the Parking Strategy and Implementation Group Manager is authorised to try and resolve them, in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and the Divisional Member and decide whether or not they should be acceded to and therefore whether the order should be made, with or without modifications.
Reasons: It is expected that the implementation of the proposals will both increase the safe passage of vehicles, improve the convenience of parking in these locations and also ease the parking situation within these areas.
Minutes: Declarations of Interest: None
Officers attending: Stephen Clavey, Senior Parking Engineer; Nick Healey, Area Highways Team Manager
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: One member of the public asked a question under Item 5 in relation to this item, a further question under item 5 was taken into consideration although the questioner was not present. A further member of the public also asked a question under Item 6.
Noted the following corrections to the report “Bankside” should read “Emerald House” “Prospect Place” should read “Providence Place”
Mr Olney stated that he represents the residents of Wheelers Lane and the majority do not want a Residents Parking Zone (RPZ) or pay and display. Around 10% would be prepared to pay for a permit to allow them to park close to their property during the day and he was therefore suggesting that an area for these residents could be created on the green area. The other questioner was also against the implementation of an RPZ and was also against the hardening of the green area.
There was no indication of any further public questions or statements so the Committee moved to debate the options outlined in the report.
Member discussion – key points
Whilst hardening of the green area would be possible, officers would not recommend this option as it would take away space for parking on the road and it would be necessary to divert the pavement. It was also likely to be quite costly for very little additional benefit.
In relation to the Clayton Road proposal members asked whether it would be possible to time any implementation to coincide with the implementation of any new RPZ to prevent vehicles being displaced to residential roads. Officers could not guarantee this would be possible, but would aim to implement the two schemes as close as possible to each other.
Resolved:
(i) (On a vote, members unanimously voted AGAINST the introduction of pay and display in Wheelers Lane and FOR its introduction in Clayton Road) To introduce new parking restrictions including pay and display parking bays in Clayton Road, if possible to coincide with the introduction of any agreed Residents’ Parking Zones in the area, but that the proposals for Wheelers Lane be not progressed;
(ii) That the County Council’s intention to make an order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 be advertised and, if no objections are maintained the order be made;
(iii) That if objections are received the Parking Strategy and Implementation Group Manager is authorised to try and resolve them, in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and the Divisional Member and decide whether or not they should be acceded to and therefore whether the order should be made, with or without modifications.
Reasons: It is expected that the implementation of the proposals will both increase the safe passage of vehicles, improve the convenience of parking in these locations and also ease the parking situation within these areas.
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MEMBER QUESTION TIME
To receive any written questions from Members under Standing Order 47. Notice should be given in writing to the Community Partnership & Committee officer by 12.00 noon four working days before the meeting. Minutes: Eight questions were received, the questions and answers are set out in Annex C. The following supplementary questions were asked.
Question 2: A request was made to publish the steps and timescales on the Local Committee website following the meeting of the Committees Parking Task Group and this was agreed.
Question 3: It was noted that business permits are not currently available and therefore the double yellow lines cannot be converted to parking bays as they are required by the undertakers. Officers agreed to see if there was any other location where an additional bay could be introduced.
Question 4: It was not possible to give a more specific time for these works as the programme will not be drawn up until the autumn.
Question 6: The member asked to be updated on the result of the inspection.
Question 7: The member requested a loading ban to prevent parking in the area by blue badge holders. Officers agreed to consult residents in the area.
Question 8: Any suspected misuse of a blue badge should be reported to the County Council contact centre for investigation. |
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This report summarises progress with the Local Committee’s programme of Highways works for the current Financial Year 2015-16.
Members are encouraged to start considering the strategy and priorities for next Financial Year, 2016-17. Decision: That the Local Committee [Epsom & Ewell] agreed
To authorise the Area Team Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and relevant Divisional Member(s) to undertake all necessary procedures to deliver the agreed programmes.
Reasons: to facilitate the delivery of the 2015-16 Highways programmes funded by the Local Committee, while at the same time ensuring that the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and relevant Divisional Members are fully and appropriately involved in any detailed considerations.
Minutes: Declarations of Interest: None
Officers attending: Nick Healey, Area Highways Team Manager; Alan Flaherty, Engineer
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None
Member discussion – key points
Members expressed concern that £27,000 of last year’s budget had not been spent and had not been carried forward. The Area Highways Team Manager reported that local officers felt that they had spent all of the allocated budget and that this may be due to a delay in processing payments. He would investigate further and challenge the loss of this sum if it was found to be due to delayed payments. He would report back to the September meeting.
Noted, in relation to the feasibility study at the Cheam Road junction with Ewell Bypass, that officers had recently met with officers from the traffic signals team and have suggested some improvements.
Resolved:
To authorise the Area Team Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and relevant Divisional Member(s) to undertake all necessary procedures to deliver the agreed programmes.
Reasons: to facilitate the delivery of the 2015-16 Highways programmes funded by the Local Committee, while at the same time ensuring that the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and relevant Divisional Members are fully and appropriately involved in any detailed considerations.
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EPSOM PLAN E HIGHWAYS IMPROVEMENTS - PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ANALYSIS
This paper is to update the Local Committee on the feedback and the high level analysis of the results of the public engagement event for the Epsom Plan E highway improvements scheme in Epsom town centre. Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of Interest: None
Officers attending: Steve Howard, Project Manager, Transport Policy; Caroline Tuttle, Transport Planner
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None
Member discussion – key points
The local member was concerned that residents concerns had been ignored and that a number of roads in the area would become rat runs when the scheme is implemented. Shopkeepers on South Street are also concerned that loading restrictions which may be required will damage their businesses. Officers responded that over 2,500 comments had been received as a result of the public exhibition and engagement and that these are being analysed to see what changes can be incorporated into the detailed design to address some of the concerns expressed. Noted that the Cabinet member had given an undertaking to consider the roads that could be potential rat runs, the local member requested that they be looked at in the winter when traffic levels are higher. Officer would be engaging further with businesses to ensure that their concerns are considered. The Committees Task Group would be kept informed of the detailed design process and any other issues arising.
The Committee noted the results of the public engagement event on the Plan E improvements proposals and that an additional £0.675m has been awarded from the (C2C LEP) Local Growth fund to increase the overall funding to £3.375m |
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LOCAL COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS TO LOCAL GROUPS AND TASK GROUPS
To appoint Members to represent the Local Committee on the bodies listed for the municipal year 2015/2016 and to appoint members to the Youth, On Street Parking and Major Schemes Task Groups of the Local Committee. Additional documents: Decision: That the Local Committee [Epsom & Ewell] agreed to:
(i) make the following appointments from the Local Committee for 2015/16 municipal year:
a) Community Safety Partnership - John Beckett b) a Family, Friends and Community Support Champion for 2015/16 – to be decided. b)Youth Task Group - County Councillors Jan Mason and Tina Mountain and Borough Councillors Neil Dallen and Lucie Dallen. c) On Street Parking Task Group - County Councillors Eber Kington, John Beckett substitute Stella Lallement, Borough Councillors Neil Dallen, Michael Arthur substitute: Clive Smitheram d)Major Schemes (Epsom & Ewell) Task Group – County Councillors Stella Lallement, Jan Mason and John Beckett, Borough Councillors – As advised by the Borough Council.
(ii) Note the requirement that Members appointed to outside bodies should update the Local Committee on the group/service they are appointed to/represent on a six monthly basis or as appropriate.
Reasons: To enable the Local Committee to be represented on local bodies and to appoint the Committees Task Groups. Minutes: Declarations of Interest: None
Officers attending: Nicola Morris, Community Partnership & Committee Officer
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None
Member discussion – key points
It was agreed that the Community Partnership and Committee Officer would circulate further information on the family, friends and community support project and the role of the champion.
Mrs Mountain expressed her view that her right to represent her residents is being impaired following her removal from the Major Schemes Task Group. The Chairman responded that it was felt to be important that those members involved in taking forward the detailed design of the scheme should be in favour of the project.
Resolved:
(i) To make the following appointments from the Local Committee for 2015/16 municipal year:
a) Community Safety Partnership - John Beckett b) a Family, Friends and Community Support Champion for 2015/16 – to be decided. b)Youth Task Group - County Councillors Jan Mason and Tina Mountain and Borough Councillors Neil Dallen and Lucie Dallen. c) On Street Parking Task Group - County Councillors Eber Kington, John Beckett, substitute Stella Lallement, Borough Councillors Neil Dallen, Michael Arthur, substitute: Clive Smitheram d)Major Schemes (Epsom & Ewell) Task Group – County Councillors Stella Lallement, Jan Mason and John Beckett, Borough Councillors – to be advised by the Borough Council.
(ii) Note the requirement that Members appointed to outside bodies should update the Local Committee on the group/service they are appointed to/represent on a six monthly basis or as appropriate.
Reasons: To enable the Local Committee to be represented on local bodies and to appoint the Committees Task Groups. |
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COMMUNITY SAFETY FUNDING (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION - FOR DECISION)
The Local Committee has a delegated budget of £3,337 for general community safety purposes which it has, in the past, allocated to the Community Safety Partnership [CSP] in Epsom and Ewell.
It is suggested that this year the Committee retains the funding and asks the CSP and any other local organisations who are able to suggest a suitable project to apply for funding. Projects must be: · Evidence based · State aims and objectives clearly and concisely · Clarify project outputs and outcomes · Demonstrate wider benefits to the community · Demonstrate how they support the delivery of local Community Safety Partnership plans · Document proposed evaluation mechanisms · Demonstrate value for money The Committee is asked to confirm that it wishes to retain the budget of £3,337 and delegate authority to the Community Partnership Manager in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee to authorise any expenditure meeting the criteria above and to oversee the expenditure of this budget.
Decision: That the Local Committee [Epsom & Ewell] agreed to:
Retain the budget of £3,337 allocated to the Committee for community safety purposes under its control and delegate authority to the Community Partnership Manager in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee to authorise any expenditure meeting the criteria set out in the agenda and to oversee the expenditure of this budget.
Reasons: to ensure that the funding is allocated to an appropriate community safety project. Minutes: Declarations of Interest: Cllr Smitheram declared an interest as a Borough member involved in the funding of the Community Safety Partnership
Officers attending: Nicola Morris, Community Partnership & Committee Officer
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None
Member discussion – key points
Cllr Smitheram queried the impact that retaining the budget may have on the work of the Community Safety Partnership if this funding is allocated to another organisation. He was reassured that the money could be made available to the Partnership if a suitable project is put forward which meets the criteria, however if a project cannot be identified the Committee will seek to use it on another suitable initiative to prevent the funding from being lost.
Resolved: To retain the budget of £3,337 allocated to the Committee for community safety purposes under its control and delegate authority to the Community Partnership Manager in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee to authorise any expenditure meeting the criteria set out in the agenda and to oversee the expenditure of this budget.
Reasons: to ensure that the funding is allocated to an appropriate community safety project. |
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DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Monday 21 September at 7.00pm, Bourne Hall, Ewell Minutes: Monday 21 September at 7.00pm, Bourne Hall, Ewell |