Agenda and minutes

The audio recording of this meeting can be found at the following link:

http://www.harrow.gov.uk/www2/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=260&MId=64655

The Chair welcomed Councillor James Lee who was new to the Panel.  The Chair reported that Councillor Peymana Assad was also new to the Panel but that she was unable to attend the meeting that evening.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Member:-

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

All/Relevant Agenda Items

CouncillorAmeet Jogia declared a non- pecuniary interest in that he was Ward Councillor for Canons and lived in Stanmore.  He would remain in the room the room whilst the matters were considered and voted upon.

Councillor John Hinkley declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was Ward Councillor for Hatch End.  Additionally, he would be submitting a petition (Minute 44 refers) relating to ‘Bus Stand and obstructions at entrance to Nugents Park’, which was situated in his Ward.  He would remain in the room the room whilst the matters were considered and voted upon.

During consideration of the item on Deputations, Councillor John Hinkley declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he used a garage in the area referred to in the second deputation, titled ‘24/7 Parking Restriction at Byron Road and Oxford Road, Harrow, HA3 7ST’ (Minute 45(2) refers) which was also affected by the parking.  Councillor Sasi Suresh declared a non-pecuniary interest in that she was a user of the Kalibari Centre (Minute 45(2) refers).

Councillor James Lee declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was Ward Councillor for Edgware and lived in Canons Park.  He would remain in the room whilst the matters were considered and voted upon.

Councillor David Perry declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was a member of the Labour Party and that the Harrow West Labour Party premises was situated in Byron Road, a road that was the subject of a deputation (Minute 45 (2)refers) titled ‘24/7 Parking Restriction at Byron Road and Oxford Road, Harrow, HA3 7ST’ which was to be presented by representatives of London Kalibari.  He would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

This declaration applied to all Labour Members on the Panel, namely Councillors Lee, Miles and Suresh.  They would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

It was clarified that the premises occupied by London Kalibari at 18 Byron Road was rented from a member of the Labour Party (trustee).

To appoint a Vice-Chair of the Panel for the Municipal Year 2019/20.

The Panel received two nominations for the position of Vice-Chair.  Both nominations were both duly seconded and, following a vote, it was

RESOLVED:  That Councillor David Perry be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Panel for the 2019/2020 Municipal Year.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2019 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2019, be taken as read and signed as a correct record, subject to the following amendment:

Minute 27, ‘Declarations of Interest’, declaration by Councillor Baxter be amended to read:  ‘Councillor Christopher Baxter declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was a Ward Councillor for Headstone North, the neighbouring Ward to Headstone South’.

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 if 3.00 pm, 20 June 2019.  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, including the supplemental question which was responded to by the Chair and an officer.  The officer reported that this matter would form the basis of a wider report to the February 2020 meeting of the Panel.

It was also reported that the Council was trying to get Stanmore College to adopt a Travel Plan, and would also contact the police to organise a Community Roadwatch session.  The petition relating to ‘The Ridgeway, Stanmore – request for a CPZ’, submitted at a previous meeting and referenced to in the report at Minute 47 on ‘Petitions’ would be addressed as part of the annual parking management report to be submitted to the February 2020 meeting of the Panel.

The audio recording of this question/answer can be found at the following link:

http://www.harrow.gov.uk/www2/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=260&MId=64655

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 and that a report would be submitted to the October 2019 meeting of the Committee:

(1)          Bus Stand and obstructions at entrance to Nugents Park

Councillor John Hinkley presented a petition, on behalf of the Nugents Park Residents’ Association with the following terms of reference:

“We, the residents of Nugents Park, Hatch End, request the Council to urgently review the bus stand arrangements for the H14 bus at the end of our road as the present position is very dangerous for residents trying to exit their road in the face of fast moving traffic in both directions.  The bus stand was designed for single deck bus operation but now that the H14 service was double deck throughout the day the position is positively dangerous.  Often there are two buses squeezed into a single bus stand and the sight line for oncoming traffic becomes impossible and creates real danger for residents entering and exiting the road.  Additionally, the H14 buses do not always park next to the kerb and with the rear of the bus jutting into the road the exiting process becomes even more dangerous.”

The petition was signed by 12 residents of Nugents Park and Cavan Place.

An officer reported that the petition would be reported on to the next meeting of the Panel scheduled to be held on 23 October 2019.

The adviser representing Harrow Public Transport Users’ Association suggested that the matter could be addressed at the liaison meeting scheduled to be held week beginning 1 July 2019.

(2)          Wychwood Avenue, Edgware

Councillor Ameet Jogia presented a petition requesting controlled parking zone on both sides of the road. The petition was signed by 47 residents with the following terms of reference:

“We, the undersigned, request Harrow Council to implement a controlled parking zone between 11.00 and 12.00 or between 14.00 and 15.00 from Monday to Friday.  This is to prevent congestion and bottlenecks on the road particularly on weekdays whereby cars are parked by non residents to walk to Stanmore and Canons Park Stations.  Furthermore, it will help increase visibility so that people and children in particular can cross the roads safely.”

(3)          Orchard Close, HA8 7RE

Councillor Ameet Jogia presented a petition requesting pavement parking on the Close.  The petition was signed by 31 residents with the following terms of reference:

“The residents of Orchard Close formally request that Orchard Close be designated an area in which ‘pavement parking’ is permitted.”

The petition was included a letter explaining why this request was being made.

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 48, the following deputations be received:

(1)          1-17 Courtenay Avenue, HA3 5JH – Access Road Petition – Deputation led by Hem Mehta

“To provide clarity on what was being requested and the reasoning for it and to also address the challenges which could obstruct the progress of this proposal.  Communications had mostly been in writing which had resulted in some mismatch of communication, hence the need to formally discuss the proposal.”

It was noted that officers would visit the site soon to explore various alternatives, including funding opportunities for any works agreed.

(2)          24/7 Parking Restriction at Byron Road and Oxford Road, HA3 7ST – Deputation led by Mrinal Choudhury

“By introducing a 24/7 parking restriction on above roads, it created a severe inconvenience in the area.

Oxford Road has no residential property so there is no need to introduce 24/7 parking restriction in the evening and the weekend.

London Kalibari at 18 Byron Road runs a Community Centre for older people.  The Centre faces difficulty in the evening and the weekends for parking.  We propose that restriction should be relaxed slightly from 7.00 pm on week day and 1.00 pm on weekends.

We had submitted a petition of about 50 people on 11 April 2019 at a Cabinet meeting to be considered by the TARSAP Committee.”

It was noted that local residents had supported the implementation of the CPZ in the area in 2018.  It was noted that Ward Councillors would meet with representatives of the Kalibari Centre to discuss the issues.

Full details in relation to both the deputations, including questions asked and answers given, were set out in the audio recording.  The audio recording of this meeting can be found at the following link:

http://www.harrow.gov.uk/www2/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=260&MId=64655

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services.

The Panel received a report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services, which set out nominations for Advisers to the Panel for the 2019/20 Municipal Year.

The Chair advised that nominations had been received from the Harrow Public Transport Users’ Association (Mr Anthony Wood), Harrow Cyclists (Dr Anoop Shah) and the Harrow Association for Disabled People (Mr Nigel Long).  The Panel agreed that, pending the decision of the Portfolio Holder, the adviser present be allowed to participate in the meeting that evening.

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

That the nominations for Advisers to the Panel, as set out in the report, be agreed for the Municipal Year 2019/20.

Reason:  To assist in the work of the Panel.

Report of the Corporate Director of Community.

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

An officer introduced the report and explained the outcomes relating to each petition.  He made a correction in that petition 12, ‘Dudley Road, South Harrow – Request for one-way scheme and residents parking permits’,ought to refer to ‘road’ and not ‘gardens’.  He explained that petition 13, ‘The Ridgeway, Stanmore – Request for a CPZ’, also related to the public question asked at the meeting (Minute 43refers).

A Member of the Panel commented as follows:

-               that petition 7, ‘Wildcroft Gardens – Request for a CPZ’, ought to be linked with the petition on Wychwood Avenue submitted at the meeting;

-               that petition 13, ‘The Ridgeway, Stanmore – Request for a CPZ’ would provide an opportunity to engage with the residents and discuss their concerns.  He was of the view that a CPZ would be required and that a review and joint solution could be agreed at the February 2020 meeting of the Panel;

-               that it was difficult to contact parking enforcement as telephone calls were not answered.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Reason:  To be briefed on the outcomes in relation to the petitions.

Report of the Corporate Director of Community.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director of Community, which provided details of the draft Parking Management and Enforcement Strategy under development, including parking policies already approved in the third Transport Local Implementation Plan (LIP3). 

The Chair reported that the Strategy would be submitted to July 2019 Cabinet and Members should provide any feedback to the Portfolio Holder for Environment.  He referred to the main revisions at paragraph 2.4 and the structural changes to parking control measures at paragraph 2.12 of the report.  He also drew Members’ attention to the appendix, ‘Harrow Parking Management and Enforcement Strategy’.

An officer reported that, as part of the consultation process, briefings would be arranged to allow Members to express their concerns and make comments.  He outlined the form of these briefings and suggested that any concerns should be referred to him.

Members asked questions and made the following comments:

-               to ensure flexibility in allocating visitor permits.  The officer reported that different types of permits were available.  The Strategy was a draft document and he would welcome comments from Members prior to the Cabinet meeting;

-               whilst paragraphs 2.41 and 2.42 of the report proposed three basic standard solutions to solve the main types of parking problems encountered in the borough, would it be possible to retain flexibility within the models to allow for further reduced controls.  The officer reported that the majority of CPZs were driven by public demand and he referred Members to page 77 of the agenda which set out how CPZs with short duration operations hours would work.  He outlined issues around commuter parking and added that whilst choices would exist, it was important that issues were clear to allow for best solutions to be offered;

-               there were too many CPZs with different operational hours to allow parking enforcement to address.  Enforcing parking with the use of motorbikes was old fashioned and enforcement methods needed to be improved in line with other boroughs.  The officer stated that he would take this message back to his Directorate;

-               another Member was of the view that motorbikes had a deterrent impact and were an effective tool when enforcing parking controls that applied for 1-2 hours;

-               was there scope within the Strategy to control parking during ‘event’ days at Wembley Football Club, particularly for Stanmore and Queensbury Wards.  The officer informed the Panel that changing hours of operation in these Wards on event/match days would require temporary traffic orders.  He added that the costs associated with running event day parking schemes were high.  Event Day parking was covered in the Strategy Document at Appendix A to the report, page 20 referred.

A Member stated that parking was a challenging issue but minor compared to other environmental issues such as the drive towards a green agenda and the use of diesel vehicles.  He thanked officers for a comprehensive document which would help tackle the issues around parking provision in the borough. 

RESOLVED: That the contents of the Strategy be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

Report of the Corporate Director of Community.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director of Community regarding the Council’s Transport Local Implementation Plan, Road Safety Strategy and Sustainable Transport Strategy which were approved by Cabinet in May 2019.

The Chair reported that the matter had also been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and would be submitted to July 2019 Council meeting for approval.  He referred to the thirteen transport objectives set out in the LIP document and ‘Vision Zero’ which was to eliminate all road traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2041.

Members were reminded that LIP3 was a statutory document required by the Mayor of London to show how the borough would implement the Mayor’s Transport Strategy locally in Harrow.  It was noted that the Transport for London (TfL) had responded positively to the Plan and Strategies.

An officer reported that the Strategies were challenging and regular updates would be provided to the Panel to show how targets were being met.

Members asked questions about the impact of white lines on road safety, funding and policies/plans supporting the Strategies.  The officer informed Members that funding was for a period of 3 years.  As a result of LIP3, the borough would be able to access funding from TfL to implement schemes to support the Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy.  This funding would enable the borough to deliver healthy streets, improve road safety, provide better environmental infrastructure and more facilities for cycling.

A Member stated that Harrow was a high delivery/low spending authority and that it was important that the Strategies were widely publicised.  The officer reported that the TfL was engaging with each London borough regarding the schemes and it would be appropriate for the Council to showcase its work at that stage and help raise profile.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

Reason:  To be briefed on the journey of LIP3 which was a statutory document required by the Mayor of London to show how the borough would implement the Mayor’s Transport Strategy locally in Harrow.

Report of the Corporate Director of Community.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director of Community, which provided an update on progress with the 2019/20 traffic and parking management programme of works.

An officer introduced the report and stated that various schemes set out in the report had reached the consultation stage.  He referred to the number of appendices which set out details of the schemes and how these would be taken forward.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

Reason:  To be availed of the progress made with the programme of works.