Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

Agenda Item 8 – TFL Local Transport Fund Schemes Programme 2017/18

Councillor Susan Hall declared a pecuniary interest in that she owned a business in Wealdstone.  She would leave the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

Agenda Item  6 – Deputations

Councillor Susan Hall declared a non-pecuniary interest in that she was on the board of the London Fire Brigade.  She would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

Agenda Item 9  – Parking Management Schemes Programme 2017/18

CouncillorMs Pamela Fitzpatrick declared a  non pecuniary interest in that she was Ward Councillor for Headstone South.  She would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

Agenda Item 10 – Information Report – 2016/17 Traffic & Parking Schemes Programme Update

Councillor Ameet Jogia declared a non pecuniary interest in that he was Ward Councillor for Canons Ward and was in the process of purchasing a property in Stanmore.  He would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

All Agenda Items

Councillor Barry Kendler declared a non pecuniary interest in that he was Ward Councillor for Edgware.  He would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

Agenda Items 8 -  TFL Local Transport Fund Schemes Programme 2017/18 & Agenda Item 9 – Parking Management Schemes Programme 2017/18

CouncillorMrs Vina Mithani declared a non pecuniary interest in that she was Ward Councillor for Kenton West and lived in the vicinity of Christchurch Avenue.  She would remain in the room whilst the matters were considered and voted upon.

Agenda Item 6 – Deputations

Councillor Nitin Parekh declared a  non pecuniary interest in that he was Ward Councillor for Edgware.  He would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

Agenda Item 8 – TFL Local Transport Fund Schemes Programme 2017/18 & Agenda Item 9  – Parking Management Schemes Programme 2017/18

Councillor Anne Whitehead declared a non pecuniary interest in that she was Ward Councillor for Wealdstone.  She would remain in the room whilst the matters were considered and voted upon.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2016 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2016 be taken as read and signed as a correct record, subject to the following amendment:

Agenda Item 9: Information Report: Transport Local Implementation Plan Programme of Investment 2017/18-2019/2020 & Agenda Item 12: Information Report: Traffic & Parking Schemes Programme Update

Councillor Ameet Jogia declared a pecuniary interest in that he owned a property in Headstone Lane and a non-pecuniary interest in that he was Ward Councillor for Canons Ward.  He would remain in the room whilst the matters were considered and voted upon.

To receive any public questions received in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 49 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

Questions will be asked in the order notice of them was received and there be a time limit of 15 minutes.

[The deadline for receipt of public questions is 3.00 pm, Monday 6 February 2017.  Questions should be sent to publicquestions@harrow.gov.uk  

No person may submit more than one question].

To note that one public question had been received and responded to and in line with the statement made by the Chairman, the recording had been placed on the website.

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 47 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

RESOLVED: To note the receipt of the following petitions which were referred to the Corporate Director of Community for consideration:

1.            A Petition containing 65 signatures from residents of Howberry Road, with the following terms of reference:

‘To request the Council to paint either double yellow lines along one side of Howberry Road, Canons Park End, or implement a similar ‘Event Days’ measure to allow free movement of traffic along Howberry Road at all times and especially to allow ambulances and fire engines to pass safely in an emergency.

The problem will be particularly urgent during the coming year, while at least one and possibly two, London football teams may be using Wembley Stadium while their own football grounds are being re-built.’

2.            A Petition presented by Councillor Ameet Jogia on behalf of residents of the Grove/Warren Lane, containing 132 signatures, with the following terms of reference:

‘We the duly undersigned demand Harrow Council to address the issue of illegal and inconsiderate parking by users of the Husaini Islamic Centre who are parking on pavements and obstructing the road preventing access to pedestrians and vehicles.  As a result the two main concerns are that pedestrians are forced onto the road and emergency vehicles cannot access the Bentley Grove development which comprises of approximately 800-1000 occupants.  We propose Harrow Council to address this by:

i)       Introducing double yellow lines along Warren Lane and the Grove.  This will address the safety issues highlighted above and allow the road to remain clear for emergency vehicles to pass.  Commuters or residents do not park on the road, therefore double yellow lines can be introduced on clear safety grounds.  Users of the Islamic Centre will still be able to park in the Rugby Club.’

3.            A Petition containing 94 signatures from residents of Dorset Drive and Cavendish Drive, with the following terms of reference:

‘We the duly undersigned demand Harrow Council to address the issue of heavy weight recovery and abandoned vehicles being parked on Dorset Drive and Cavendish Drive by local garages.  It is not appropriate or safe for these vehicles to park on these roads.  We propose Harrow Council to address this by:

i)       Increasing the timings of the parking restrictions on these roads;

ii)      Reducing the size of the bays to prevent recovery vehicles parking on these roads;

iii)    Increasing parking enforcement on these roads;

iv)    Providing signage to deter such vehicles parking on these.’

4.            A Petition containing 101 signatures, presented by Councillor Christine Robson, on behalf of residents of Butler Road and surrounding roads, with the following terms of reference:

‘Numerous residents are concerned about traffic issues on our road, in particular with regard to the potential development on the Vaughan road car park, and which have become worse due to the Controlled Parking Zone introduced on Whitmore road.  We the undersigned residents urge Harrow Council to consult regarding the introduction a Control Parking Zone and speed calming measures.’

RESOLVED: That Procedure Rule 48.3 be suspended to allow the admission of a deputation received after the deadline.

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 48 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  That, in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 16 (Part 4B of the Constitution), the following deputation be received:

1.            To address heavy and recovery vehicles parking in Dorset Drive, Cavendish Drive and Canons Drive Estate.

The Deputees made the following points:

·                     the parking of heavy and commercial vehicles by staff at nearby garages (approximately 10 such premises) on the above roads posed a danger to the residents of those roads;

·                     the vehicles were often parked at junctions and bends, during the day, evenings and at weekends, blocking driveways, creating bottlenecks, causing damage to pillars, walls and trees and preventing access to emergency vehicles;

·                     recently a child had fallen off his bicycle and been badly injured trying to avoid one of these vehicles;

·                     the vehicles owners often moved them at 11.00 am during the one-hour parking restriction and brought them back at noon;

·                     the vehicles were unsightly and often had heavy loads on them;

·                     in the past, residents of the above roads had requested a controlled parking zone to help deal with the situation;

·                     repairs were carried out on vehicles late into the night and recently a vehicle, which had a valid tax disc but no engine had been left on the road;

·                     local residents felt intimidated by the drivers of these vehicles;

·                     residents of these roads had also presented a petition requesting parking controls to deal with this problem.

The deputees requested the Council to look into any planning conditions attached to these garages and to take the appropriate enforcement action against them.

A Member advised that although the Panel was sympathetic to the plight of the above residents, under the law, any vehicle with a valid tax disc could be parked in local streets. 

Another Member pointed out that the garages were not permitted to carry out repairs on the road.

The Chair advised that the above situation would be further investigated by traffic officers in the new Municipal Year.

Report of the Corporate Director, Community.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director, Community which set out the proposed programme of traffic schemes to be implemented with the £100k local transport fund allocated to Harrow by Transport for London (TfL) in 2017/18.

Councillor Hall left the room during consideration of this item.

Following a brief overview of the report, officers responded to Panel Members comments and questions as follows:

·                     with regard to the plans to relocate the bus stop on Northolt Road, officers would assess both the north and south bound bus stops and the current parking arrangements would be re-configured to ensure improved traffic flow.  This project could be topped up from monies from the Bus Priority Schemes programme and  the final plans would be forwarded to the Public Transport Advisor to the Panel, as per his request;

·                     officers had written to the Mayor of London requesting additional monies for cycling.  Over the next five years the council plans to invest £1m of the Local Implementation Plan works programme towards improving cycle infrastructure.  There were plans to improve and extend the cycling infrastructure in the borough using Kodak S.106. monies;

·                     officers would be willing to consider an exemption for cyclists in relation to the proposed no entry scheme on Grange Avenue.

The Chair stated that he would like those proposals which tackled pollution to be prioritised.  He proposed a motion that the officer Recommendation as set out in Appendix A of the officer report be amended to the following:

That:

1.            Schemes 2, 3 and 6 (as numbered in Appendix A of the officer report)  approved for a start in 2017-2018;

2.            Scheme 1 be allocated £7,500, that Scheme 4 be allocated £10,000 and the Minor Road Safety Measures Fund be allocated £2,500;

3.            work and costs on Schemes 1 & 4 be deferred until 1st October 2017 and that the schemes  be completed in 2018-2019; 

4.            the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Crime and Community Safety explore with Highways, Planning and Finance officers if any of these projects could be financed from alternative capital funding and that The Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel review progress on this at its first  meeting  of the 2017-2018 Municipal Year;

5.            Scheme 5 be deferred until 2018-2019 unless extra Capital money is made available.

The motion was seconded, put to the vote and won. 

Councillors Jeff Anderson, Barry Kendler, Jerry Miles and Anne Whitehead voted for the motion.  Councillors Ameet Jogia and Mrs Vina Mithani voted against the motion.

An officer advised that deferring schemes to the 2017/18 Municipal Year would introduce an element of risk.  He could not guarantee that there would be a budget to cover the costs of any deferred schemes due to the likely changes in funding following a new London Mayor’s Transport Strategy and a new borough Local Implementation Plan in 2017.

The Chair responded that he would be discussing the matter in detail with the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Crime and Community Safety and would request the Portfolio Holder to seek  ...  view the full minutes text for item 137.

Report of the Corporate Director, Community.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director, Community, which set out information about the identification, prioritisation, development and implementation of parking management schemes in Harrow and recommended a programme of work for 2017/18.

Following a brief overview of the report, officers responded to Panel Members questions and follows:

·                     Whitchurch Gardens and not Whitchurch Road had been recommended for prioritisation;

·                     Transport for London (TfL) did not fund local parking schemes as it expected local authorities to fund these from revenue gained through parking charges and parking enforcement.  Any Section 106 monies received from new developments were ring fenced and used to support the transport initatives set out in the legal agreements.

The Chair advised that he would discuss further the matter of overspill of Event Day parking at Wembley Stadium with the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Crime and Community Safety and urge him to lobby the Mayor of London about this issue. 

A Member proposed a motion that the officer Recommendation be amended to the following:

1.            ‘The list of parking management schemes for 2017/18  as shown in Appendix B of the officer report be AGREED, with the exception of the County Roads, Calthorpe Gardens, Whitchurch Gardens and Eastleigh Avenue.  The remaining schemes to be subject to confirmation of the capital funding allocation at Cabinet for the 2017/18 Municipal Year;

2.            Officers be authorised to carry out scheme design and consultation on the parking management schemes listed in Appendix B of the officer report, as amended in 1 above; 

3.            Officers be authorised to implement the parking management schemes listed in Appendix B of the officer report, as amended in by 1 above, subject to further reports being provided on the outcomes of public and statutory consultation and receiving approval of the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Crime and Community Safety to proceed;

4.            The four schemes that are deferred  be considered by the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Crime and Community Safety and the Chair of the Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel along with schemes 9, 14 and 17 listed in Appendix C,of the officer report;

5.            Any substantive new requests received to undertake a controlled parking scheme or review that are not included within the agreed programme or priority list in appendices B or C of the officer report be referred to the Panel for consideration.

The motion was seconded, put to the vote and won.

Councillors Jeff Anderson, Barry Kendler, Jerry Miles and Anne Whitehead voted for the motion.  Councillors Susan Hall, Ameet Jogia and Mrs Vina Mithani voted against the motion.

A Member back benching stated that the residents of County Roads had been led to believe that their roads would be prioritised for inclusion in the parking programme and would be very disappointed by the Panel’s decision.

Another Member stated that she was deeply disappointed by the lengthy amendments to the officer Recommendations proposed by the Chair, of which there had been no prior notification.  Residents in County Roads had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 138.

Report of the Corporate Director, Community.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director, Community which set out details of the petitions received since the December meeting of the Panel and provided details of the Council’s investigations and findings where these had been undertaken and any action taken.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

Report of the Corporate Director, Community.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director, Community which provided an update on progress with the 2016/17 traffic and parking management programme of works, which included schemes funded by Transport for London and schemes included in Harrow’s Capital Programme.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.