Issue - meetings

Verbal Update

The Committee received a verbal update from the Cabinet Member for Planning and Corporate Services around his portfolio, followed by a Q&A session with the Committee. Richard Grice - Director of Customers, Transformation and Resources, Maurice Richards – Principal Transport Planner, and Rob Krzyszowski – Interim Assistant Director, Planning, Building Standards & Sustainability were all present for this agenda item. The following key points were noted:

a.    The Cabinet Member advised that the Planning Policy team were undertaking the first stages of developing a new Local Plan and an initial consultation process had been started, which went beyond the minimum legal requirements. There were still two and a half weeks left on this initial phase of public consultation.

b.    Strategic Transport had received £860k from TfL for the implementation of three low traffic neighbourhood schemes in Bruce Grove, St Ann’s and Bounds Green. £5.1m of capital budget had also been allocated for this area.

c.    The Council’s apprenticeship scheme was due to be launched during the 8-12 February, which was National Apprenticeship Week.

d.    The Fairness Commission implementation Plan was being developed, following the Cabinet meeting March where the recommendations of the commission were formally agreed. The Cabinet Member noted that the implementation of this had unfortunately been delayed due to Covid-19.

The following was raised in discussion of this agenda item:

a.    In response to a question around what the engagement plan was for implementation of these schemes, the Cabinet Member advised that that the initial phase of consultation around the new Local Plan would be followed by subsequent consultation and engagement phases on both the draft and the final plans. The Cabinet Member acknowledged that there had been some high profile reports in the media around problems with other borough’s low traffic neighbourhoods schemes and advised that there had been significant lessons learned from some of these perceived mistakes. Government guidance had also changed on these schemes so that the Council was now required to consult widely before implementing such schemes. Officers added that there would be a widespread 3 stages engagement process with residents around the LTN schemes, including working closely with the emergency services and a six month consultation once the schemes had been put in place.

b.    In response to a question, the Cabinet Member acknowledged that the progress of the Fairness Commission had been impacted by Covid-19 but advised that this work was still progressing and that he was particularly keen to underline the socio-economic considerations of the work the commission was undertaking, especially given the impact of Covid-19. Officers advised that they the administration was particularly keen that this wasn’t just another consultation process and that there would be a number of stages and that a communication and engagement plan was in place. A number of virtual engagement sessions were taking place with stakeholders and work had been undertaken with the RNIB and the Bridget Renewal Trust to ensure that the consultation documents were as accessible as possible and that as wide a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15