Agenda item

To consider the Minutes of the Area Committee held on 12 January 2012 and any matters arising.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2012 be approved and signed by the Chair as an accurate record of the proceedings.

Matters arising

The Chair advised that:

i.                    In respect of Minute Item MH23 – as a result of the content of the minute a letter had been sent to the Planning Service and that Mr Dorfman had been in attendance this evening to address the issues in relation to the Localism Act and Cross-boundary issues and a range of other planning related issues including enforcement and Local Implementation Plans.

ii.                  Minute MH27. – the Chair advised that as yet she had not received any response from Councillor Canver to her letter sent after the meeting on 12 January in relation to a number of issues pertaining to the Fortnightly non-recyclable refuse collection.  Members expressed their concerns at the lack of response from the Cabinet member and felt that this was unacceptable. The Committee unanimously expressed its dismay at the lack response and asked that this be recorded.  The Chair had already written to the Chief Executive to raise this matter, but undertook to write to him again expressing the Committee’s unanimous dismay and concerns at the lack of response.

NOTED

ACTION – Cllr Engert

iii.                Minute MH27 – the Chair advised that full responses to points had been received from Joan Hancox – Head of Area Management – which had been circulated to the Committee in advance of the meeting.

iv.                 Minute MH31 – Councillor Newton referred to the protocol allowing the Committee to put forward ideas for by-laws and in this respect suggested that the Committee consider the matter of ‘Crossovers’ as there seemed to be considerable abuse of the use of these.  One of the main issues of concern was the practice of cars reversing out of a front garden parking area and across the pedestrian footway and the danger of motorists being unaware of pedestrians’ particularly small children who could be hidden from view.

Following advice from Joan Hancox – Head of Neighbourhood Services in relation to the guidance issued to residents on completion of a crossover the Committee welcomed the proposal that vehicles should have to exit forwards from the parking area to cross the footway. They also commented on the actual space allowed for crossovers in the front of houses and whether this was actually being flouted by the car size, and the subsequent overhang of the vehicle onto the pavement.

Members also commented that the safest method was the vehicle entering a crossover in reverse. There were some concerns expressed at the seemingly significant lack of enforcement over unpermitted crossovers, particularly in conservation areas.

Ms Hancox advised that crossovers were monitored by the Neighbourhood Action Teams and also by planning enforcement across the Borough and there were very clear regulations as to the depth of the parking space (4.8 metres) as well the siting of crossovers in conservation areas and what was permitted in terms of garden walls being demolished.  The guidance was drawn up in 2007 and officers had monitored the effects of this in the Borough.  However, it should be stressed that former records were not perfect, and a Scrutiny review had been conducted which recommended tighter controls and actions to reduce the number allowed.  Ms Hancox advised that the idea of a by-law could be examined further.

The Chair then summarised and it was:

RESOLVED

That an application be made to the Council to propose a by-law in respect of crossovers and that vehicles should have to exit forwards from hardstandings.