Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:  To note that no Reserve Members had been nominated to attend the meeting.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

Agenda Item 8: Parking Schemes Programme 2018-19, Agenda Item 9: TfL Local Transport Fund Schemes Programme 2018/19, Agenda Item 10: Information Report - Traffic and Parking Schemes Programme Update 2017/18

Councillor Kairul Kareema Marikar declared a non-pecuniary interest in that she lived in Wealdstone and certain schemes mentioned in the reports concerned this area.  She would remain in the room whilst the matters were considered and voted upon.

Agenda Item 8: Parking Schemes Programme 2018-19, Agenda Item 9: TfL Local Transport Fund Schemes Programme 2018/19, Agenda Item 10: Information Report - Traffic and Parking Schemes Programme Update 2017/18

Councillor John Hinkley declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was a ward councillor for areas in which traffic and parking schemes were under consideration.  He would remain in the room whilst the matters were considered and voted upon.

Agenda Item 7: Information Report – Petitions, Agenda Item 8: Parking Schemes Programme 2018-19, Agenda Item 9: TfL Local Transport Fund Schemes Programme 2018/19, Agenda Item 10: Information Report - Traffic and Parking Schemes Programme Update 2017/18

CouncillorAmeet Jogia declared a pecuniary interest in that he owned properties in Whitehouse Drive and Headstone Lane.  He would leave the room whilst schemes affecting these roads were considered and voted upon.  He also declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was a ward councillor for Canons ward in which some traffic and parking schemes were under consideration.  He would remain in the room whilst these matters were considered and voted upon.

Agenda Item 8: Parking Schemes Programme 2018-19, Agenda Item 9: TfL Local Transport Fund Schemes Programme 2018/19, Agenda Item 10: Information Report - Traffic and Parking Schemes Programme Update 2017/18

Councillor Manji Kara declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he lived in Wealdstone and certain schemes mentioned in the reports concerned this area.  He would remain in the room whilst the matters were considered and voted upon.

Agenda Item 7: Information Report – Petitions

Councillor Nitin Parekh declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he lived in the area connected to the petitions concerning Lake View and Cavendish /Dorset Drive.  He would remain in the room whilst the matters were considered and voted upon.

Agenda Item 7: Information Report – Petitions, Agenda Item 8: Parking Schemes Programme 2018-19, Agenda Item 9: TfL Local Transport Fund Schemes Programme 2018/19, Agenda Item 10: Information Report - Traffic and Parking Schemes Programme Update 2017/18

Councillor Graham Henson declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was the Portfolio Holder for the Environment and would be making decisions in response to recommendations from the Panel on items before them at this meeting.  He would not participate in discussion of the items but would remain in the room whilst the matters were considered and voted upon.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 2017 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 2017 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  In accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 38.1.1 – Part 4D of the Constitution, the Panel agreed that the following Members could speak at the meeting:

The Chair also suggested that, in view of the modest size of the agenda for the meeting, the Panel could consider allowing some contributions from members of the public.  The Panel agreed to allow four members of the public to speak on Agenda Item 8 (Parking Schemes Programme 2018-19).

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 in which they were received.  There will be a time limit of 15 minutes for the asking and answering of public questions.

[The deadline for receipt of public questions is 3.00 pm, 5 February 2018.  Questions should be sent to publicquestions@harrow.gov.uk  

No person may submit more than one question].

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions had been received for this meeting.

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).

No petitions were presented.

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

RESOLVED:  To note that no deputation requests had been received in accordance with the Council’s Procedure Rules.

Report of the Corporate Director, Community

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director, Community concerning the identification, prioritisation, development and implementation of parking management schemes in the Borough; it provided information about requests for parking schemes received by the Council and also recommended a programme of work for 2018/19.

A Member was concerned that Buckingham Road, which had been the subject of a petition to full Council, had not been recommended for inclusion in the parking programme.   He considered that the schemes which had been prioritised in the report might actually worsen the situation in Buckingham Road if implemented.

Another Member referred to the problem of overspill parking in the Lower Road area and the importance of regulating parking here for the benefit of both local residents and businesses.  He underlined the need to protect the smaller residential roads from overspill parking and the importance of implementing a solution as soon as possible.

A Member expressed her support for the residents of the West Street / Nelson Road area who were suffering from the displacement of parking of other controlled parking zones (CPZs). 

A resident spoke about the parking situation on the Hill and the need to regulate parking in West Street and Nelson Road.  She referred to the impact of the conversion of larger properties to flats and new developments in the area.  She was concerned that a poorly designed scheme might be unhelpful and that there could be displacement of parking to adjacent areas.  The resident urged full consultation with local residents and businesses, and suggested that new flats created as a result of conversion or new developments could be excluded from a future parking scheme to manage demand.

A Member of the Panel acknowledged the strength of feeling among residents of Harrow-on-the-Hill about the CPZ; he pointed to the complexity of dealing with parking pressures as evidenced in the report on the agenda.  He suggested that the process of consultation would help identify options for the effective review and amendment of schemes.

A resident of Oxford Road spoke about the proposed changes to the County Roads CPZ and the representations from local businesses on Pinner Road.  While supportive of local shops and businesses, the resident pointed to the displacement impact on the small residential area between CPZ zones U and NH1. 

A resident referred to the petition from residents of Cavendish Drive and Dorset Drive which had recently been supplemented with additional signatures and representations.  There was considerable local concern over the dangers and disturbance caused by the roads being used by large vehicles such as low loaders and for the sale and testing of vehicles.  The resident queried whether these vehicles were licensed for these activities.  Another resident added that letters had been sent to local MPs and the Council about the problems created by these commercial vehicles.

A Member spoke in support of the petition in respect of Cavendish Drive and Dorset Drive, referring to the longstanding efforts of local residents to resolve the parking problems in these roads.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 172.

Report of the Corporate Director, Community

The Panel received a report from the Corporate Director, Community outlining the proposed programme of traffic schemes to be implemented through the £100,000 Local Transport Fund allocated to the London Borough of Harrow by Transport for London in 2018/19.  Officers introduced the report, explaining that the list of schemes at Paragraph 2.7 of the report was not in any priority order and totalled about £130,000, leaving Members of the Panel to determine the final recommended schemes within the funds available.

A Member proposed the deletion of Gordon Avenue, Stanmore scheme (£25,000, at Item 5 of the list) and reduction of the “minor road safety measures” (Item 8) to £5,000, bringing the total costs with the £100,000 available.  This proposal was duly seconded.

Another Member pointed out that the schemes at Items 1 and 3 of the list (Eastern Avenue and Common Road) would benefit private schools nearby and he considered that they should be asked to contribute to the costs involved.  Officers advised that there would also be benefits to other road users and pedestrians, and the Council had a general duty as the highways authority to improve road safety.  A Member suggested that officers could engage with the relevant schools to indicate the views expressed at the meeting.

In relation to the Common Road scheme, a Member considered that, at school run times, the average speed was well below 30mph and therefore the value of such a speed limit was restricted.  Officers advised that there would still be benefits including the encouragement of cycling in the road.  An Adviser to the Panel suggested that, in this location, only a separate cycle path on a widened, shared-use pavement would be effective.

In response to another Adviser’s query, it was confirmed that the pedestrian facility proposed for Eastern Avenue was a refuge rather than a formal crossing.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to the Portfolio Holder for the Environment)

That the following schemes be approved for funding via the Transport for London Local Transport Fund in 2018-19:

·                     Common Road - school safety scheme - £15,000

·                     Cecil Road - Extension of existing 20 mph zone - £15,000

·                     Eastern Avenue – construct new pedestrian refuge - £10,000

·                     Rayners Lane / Clitheroe Avenue / Quartz Court - improve access and road safety - £20,000

·                     Graham Road / Claremont Road / Ladysmith Road - walking scheme - £25,000

·                     Bessborough Road –pedestrian safety scheme following fatal incident - £10,000

·                     Requests for minor road safety measures such as new road markings or traffic signage including speed activated signs and zebrites (Halos around zebra crossing globes) - £5,000

Reason for Decision:  In order for the Council to agree a programme of prioritised local schemes funded by the Local Transport Fund (£100,000) and allocated by Transport for London to the London Borough of Harrow within the 2018/19 financial year.

Report of the Corporate Director, Community

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

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Report of the Corporate Director, Community

The Panel received a report from the Corporate Director, Community providing   an update on progress with the 2017 /18 traffic and parking management programme of works, including schemes funded by Transport for London (TfL) and schemes in Harrow’s Capital Programme.

In relation Paragraph 2.16, an Adviser pointed out that bus routes H9 and 395 had been omitted.

In response to a Member’s queries, officers advised that the “London Road” scheme was not in Stanmore and that it was not yet clear when the Harvey Road scheme would be completed (officers would inform the Member in respect of this scheme).

An Adviser to the Panel considered that the Quietway programme included only low intervention schemes to help cyclists.  He referred to the Council’s 2013 vision for a network of cycle paths as more suitable, though this had not secured funding.  The Adviser reported on other boroughs’ bids for Liveable Neighbourhoods funding to implement measures such as bollards to protect residential streets; he felt that Harrow’s bid had been disappointing in that it did not offer segregated cycle paths or the removal of motor vehicle from certain roads. He called on the Council to produce an improved bid, for example, as part of the Wealdstone/Civic Centre project. 

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

As this was the last meeting of the Panel in the current Administration, a Member wish to thank the Panel, its officers and Advisers for the work over the previous four years.